𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒: Nathan Cleary is off contract from November 1 this year and could earn north of $1.5m – tax free – to head to the PNG Chiefs 💸 And while it may seem like a long shot, chief board member Marcus Bai says the champion halfback would experience would experience NRL immortality in Port Moresby, largely due to his partner Mary Fowler see… more

The future of Penrith Panthers superstar halfback Nathan Cleary has suddenly become one of the most talked-about topics in the National Rugby League after reports emerged that the champion playmaker could be targeted by the proposed PNG Chiefs franchise.
Cleary is set to be off contract from November 1, meaning rival clubs will be free to negotiate with the four-time premiership winner. According to reports, the PNG-based side could table a staggering tax-free offer worth more than $1.5 million per season, a deal that would instantly make him one of the most valuable players in the game.
While the possibility may sound unlikely at first, former Papua New Guinea rugby league icon and current board member Marcus Bai believes the move could make Cleary a legend in the Pacific region.
Speaking about the prospect, Bai suggested that if Cleary were to lead the franchise in Port Moresby, he would achieve a level of sporting immortality rarely seen in rugby league.
“If someone like Nathan Cleary came to Papua New Guinea and helped build a team here, he wouldn’t just be another star player,” Bai reportedly said. “He would become part of rugby league history in our country.”
The excitement around the potential move is also tied to Cleary’s relationship with Australian football star Mary Fowler. Fowler has strong ties to Papua New Guinea through her family background, which many believe could make the idea of living and playing in the region more appealing for the Panthers captain.
Cleary has been the heartbeat of Penrith’s recent golden era, guiding the club to multiple premierships under the leadership of his father, coach Ivan Cleary. His elite kicking game, composure under pressure, and leadership have cemented him as one of the greatest halfbacks of his generation.
Despite the speculation, sources close to the Panthers insist that the club remains confident of keeping their star playmaker long term. Losing Cleary would be a monumental blow to the reigning powerhouse, and the club is expected to do everything possible to secure his future in the famous black jersey.
Still, the financial power and historic appeal of a PNG franchise could make this one of the most intriguing contract stories the NRL has seen in years.
For now, fans of the Penrith Panthers will be watching closely as November approaches, hoping their champion halfback chooses loyalty over a potentially historic new adventure in Papua New Guinea.
One thing is certain: if Nathan Cleary ever did make the leap to the PNG Chiefs, rugby league in the Pacific would enter an entirely new era.