Exclusive look: Fox Sports creates WatchNRL promo
Tiger Woods, Tom Brady, LeBron James… and Nathan Cleary. It’s not hyperbole. He belongs.
It took only moments to conclude that the Penrith Panthers superstar - and now NRL ambassador to the USA by osmosis - absolutely belongs in the conversation with the greatest athletes I’ve seen and had the pleasure of interviewing.
Panthers’ fans, rugby league fans … actually ALL Australians should realise a national treasure when you see one, and not take for granted how impressive this man is as the greatest game for all continues to try to grow its reach in Las Vegas.
It’s been a serious privilege to be amongst all the hoopla and hubbub that is rugby league in Las Vegas for a second year – a change of pace from watching birdies and bogeys, touchdowns and sacks and homeruns and bunts.
In the land where bigger is better, and brashness is seen as a strength, a humble Cleary is making his mark.
And he’s not alone. Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart can take a bow. His captain Joseph Tapine also. Warriors coach Andrew Webster too. You’ve made this expat extremely proud – and to honest – brutally homesick.
As a former NRL journalist I’ve always had a soft spot for rugby league despite leaving Sydney's shores for Los Angeles some 18 years ago.
It is why, when longtime friend and New York Post sportswriter Mark Cannizzaro asked me to help school him up on rugby league ahead of his second stint covering the Las Vegas extravaganza, I jumped at the chance.
Now Cannizzaro is a consummate pro. He doesn’t ‘need’ help. He’s covered countless NFL games, over 30 Super Bowls, over 100 major golf championships… he’s seen more sport than most of us and has a bunch of superstars on speed dial.
He was here in Vegas a year ago and was instantly hooked watching the Sea Eagles-Rabbitohs and Roosters-Broncos games.
So, with just a little background knowledge, he’s been like a dog with a bone chasing down stories to tell the American public, who ultimately, the NRL hopes to attract from these trips.
And as he’s grilled the coaches and players here for the NRL's Vegas sequel, I’ve sat back and taken it in, with an enormous sense of pride for our game.
Last year the on-field product sold the sport, and it will again this weekend, but the players and coaches have helped sell it before its even begun.
Stuart held up his team bus to finish an interview and spoke with passion for the Raiders that league fans are well aware of, but Americans have yet to learn. Then, when he spotted Cannizzaro again amongst the chaos of the Fremont Street Experience, he went out of his way to chat again.
Webster made extra time and even sent contact details for several American mates from his time playing in the states who would be in attendance.
It doesn’t sound like much – but it is huge when trying to sell stories to the Yanks. Every detail, every anecdote, helps.
And Cleary was on his way to a team lunch when we stopped him in a hotel foyer at Resorts World to ask for his time. He went out of his way to take us to a quiet spot in the Panthers team room and then gave Cannizzaro thoughtful responses to every question, from the basics, to the more unconventional.
I should have known he’d be such a professional in trying to sell our sport. I’ve watched from afar his dominance getting the Panthers to five straight grand finals and four straight titles, but it isn’t lost on me he broke camp earlier this week to visit partner Mary Fowler from the Matildas amid their adversity in San Diego.
Or that he makes sure to mention all family, not just his coaching father, when talking his triumphs. He’s clearly a great bloke whether your fandom lets you admit it or not.
In fact, circumstance would have it that I arrived in Las Vegas just as he returned. He stood on a train in the airport amongst a throng of people and no one knew who he was - except me. And when I struck up a conversation - as a complete stranger to him - he not only listened and engaged but didn’t actively try to leave as many public figures do. He gave his full focus and attention.
That was noticeable again in Cannizzaro’s interview as Cleary maintained strong eye-contact throughout and never once looked guarded. My old mate as such let his guard down and the two joked about soccer, Ivan’s playing career and Cleary’s fandom of the Philadelphia Eagles (which he claims is not a recent bandwagon thing!).
It allows for New York Post readers, and many syndicated publications around the world, the opportunity to hear a layered story Aussies may have already taken for granted.
As Cannizzaro compared Cleary to Brady and current Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, he nervously chuckled. He humbly wouldn’t even admit he was a better player than his dad let alone in the same circles of the NFL greats. He did hope the Las Vegas Raiders part-owner Brady might be in attendance this weekend.
“I wouldn’t say there are comparisons but I’m striving to be like those guys and what they do in preparation for games,” Cleary said before revealing he binge watched sports documentaries on Brady growing up and more recently and took what he could from them.
“I got to watch his journey and just the way he breaks down his preparation, from watching film and preparing his body for games… I just took that on board and I feel like my edge comes from my preparation,” he adds.
“It gives me confidence on game day to do what I need to do and gives me the confidence to perform well with no excuses. That comes from those sort of guys and people like LeBron James, you quickly realise how important preparation is.”
Preparation is important. And thanks to Cleary and co, the prep work before the quadruple header at Allegiant Stadium has been done brilliantly. No doubt his on field sales pitch will be just as impressive.
