The Warriors have announced that Jett Cleary, the younger brother of Nathan, a star player for the Penrith Panthers, and the son of coach Ivan, has committed to the New Zealand team for three years. Speculation had emerged in recent weeks that the Warriors had made another play for the 19-year-old half after also attempting to recruit him last year.

Despite the move failing the previous season, the Warriors declared on Tuesday that they had finally found their man. In 2025, Jett Cleary will sign with the New Zealand team in an attempt to fulfill his goal of playing first grade.

With Jett’s father, Ivan, the Warriors’ most-capped coach, returning to Auckland, it means the renowned Cleary family is back. In his 154 games as the Kiwi team’s coach, Ivan guided the team to the 2011 grand final.

When Jett was born in Auckland in 2005, Ivan was the Warriors’ assistant coach. In 2006, Jett became the head coach. Andrew McFadden, general manager of recruitment, pathways, and development for the Warriors, continued, saying, “We are thrilled to offer Jett the opportunity to grow within our system. He has a bright future ahead of him.

Jett has strong family ties to both the club and Auckland, even though he left New Zealand when he was still a young boy to return to Australia. He comes with a fantastic pedigree and a deep understanding of the game, having come through Penrith’s wonderful pathways.”

For the past few years, Panthers supporters have been imagining a Nathan and Jett Cleary tandem in the second half. However, Penrith has several talented young players who are regarded as superior to Jett, who is presently an SG Ball player for the Panthers Under-19 squad.