Cleary on course for rare treble after winning Brad Fittler Medal

Nathan Cleary collected his second Brad Fittler Medal on Monday night for his inspirational efforts during NSW’s come-from-behind Origin series victory.

After watching his younger brother Jett make his NRL debut for the Warriors on Sunday, Cleary’s celebrations continued back in Sydney, where he was joined by some of the biggest stars in the game, as well as coach Laurie Daley and his successor as Blues coach, Matt King.

The Penrith halfback won his first Brad Fittler Medal, awarded to NSW’s player of the series, in 2020. This year’s gong could well turn out to be the second leg of a medal treble after Cleary was awarded the Wally Lewis Medal for the best player from either state during NSW’s 2-1 series triumph.

Cleary is also a leading contender for the Dally M, the winner of which is named in grand final week. If all goes to plan, a fifth premiership with the Panthers could even follow.

James Tedesco achieved that feat in his all-conquering 2019 season, when he steered the Blues to Origin glory, won the Wally Lewis, Dally M, and helped the Roosters to the premiership.

Standing on stage at The Star, Cleary said: “The first game was pretty epic, the second a disaster and the third a dream come true. I still have to pinch myself, and it’s lifelong memories you never forget.”

Back-rower Yasmin Meakes was named NSW’s Women’s Origin Player of the Series.

After a match-winning performance in game one, Cleary produced one of his worst defensive efforts in the second half of the game-two loss in Melbourne, but bounced back to deliver a phenomenal display in the decider at Suncorp Stadium.

The 28-year-old finished the series with three tries, three try assists, two line breaks, five tackle busts and 60 average running metres.

Speaking in the sheds after the Origin III win, Cleary said: “This is really nice, I’ll enjoy this moment with such a special group, but it doesn’t mean anything really. I want to keep getting better and keep going.

“What drives me every day is to get the most out of my potential.

“As I said, rugby league is a game you never complete, there are always areas you can get better at, always games you play bad, then you play good, it’s up and down. It keeps bringing us back. I’ll keep riding that journey.”

Back-rower Hudson Young collected his first True Blue Award, awarded to the player who embodies the team’s core values of trust, resilience, and culture.

The Canberra hitman had a strong series after scoring two tries, running for an average of 117 metres and bending his back for 115 tackles.

NSWRL CEO Dave Trodden praised out-going coach Daley and took one final aim at the “ridiculous criticism that came his way this year, and protected his team from it”.

Meakes was excellent for the womens’ team during their historic 3-0 series clean sweep. She played every minute of all three games, made five tackle busts, five offloads, ran for 69m, and made 79 tackles including a try-saver in Game One in Newcastle.

The Brad Fittler Medal was first presented in 2005, with winners including King (2005), Steve Menzies (2006), Danny Buderus (2008), Paul Gallen (2011), James Tedesco (2018-19, 22), Tom Trbojevic (2021), and Brian To’o (2023, 2025).

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