LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
NSW Blues halfback Nathan Cleary expressed regret over missing the opportunity to address doubts about his State of Origin performance after suffering his third decider loss.
Despite achieving significant success in the NRL, leading Penrith to four consecutive premierships and winning two Clive Churchill Medals, Cleary's Origin record remains mixed.
With an overall winning record of 8-9, including three losses in deciders, he continues to face criticism regarding his ability to dominate in the State of Origin series.
In the recent match, Queensland's Tom Dearden outperformed Cleary, earning both the man-of-the-match honors and the Wally Lewis Medal.
Cleary acknowledged Dearden's impressive performance, indicating that he has positioned himself as a strong contender for the Kangaroos' No.7 jersey in the forthcoming Ashes series.
As the criticism lingers, Cleary's focus remains on improving his game for future opportunities.