Veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield has predicted Nathan Cleary will become a rugby league Immortal after a 20-minute masterclass to inspire his side’s victory over the Broncos.
Immortal status is reserved for the game’s greats and is the “greatest honour a player can receive” with figures like Andrew Johns, Clive Churchill and Norm Provan all handed the title.But for Rothfield, Cleary will join the elite list of rugby league’s 13 best players once his career comes to an end.
“I think after last night… and I’m not being a smartarse, Joey said himself he’s never seen a halfback perform like that.“I have made that call and I stand by it… I think he will be an Immortal.”They pointed to the Panthers gun’s Origin record, failing to fully dominate in the state vs state showcase.
“He can’t be an Immortal now, he’s 25-years old, his next two years could be bludgers and then is he still an Immortal?” Read asked.“I’ve never seen Peter Sterling do what Nathan Cleary did last night, I know he won a lot of games, but I’ve never seen anything like last night,” Rothfield responded.