9 hours ago
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Blues playmaker Nathan Cleary has become the focal point of frustration for many footy fans following the side's nightmare defeat to Queensland in the Origin series decider.
Cleary's opposite number Tom Dearden ran riot in a man-of-the-match performance, while the Panthers star struggled to pull the Blues into the contest in Wednesday night's stunning 24-12 loss to Queensland.
'I feel terrible. It's just so frustrating. I've been here before and it happened again. It sucks,' a forlorn Cleary said at full-time.
'I didn't adjust quick enough to their rushing defence and it played into their hands a little bit.'
Despite guiding Penrith to a historic four consecutive premierships, Cleary has long been dogged by criticism of his ability to deliver in pressure moments for the Blues.
Footy fans on social media didn't hold back after the match.
The Blues suffered a nightmare defeat to Queensland in the Origin series decider
Nathan Cleary became the focal point of anger for many NSW footy fans
'Makes sense Nathan Cleary is doing an ad for Rexona because he f**king stinks,' posted one X user.
'Nathan Cleary is a myth. Good player in a great Panthers team. Origin level shows where he is as an individual, Dearden s***s all over him,' wrote another.
'Nathan Cleary is the greatest club halfback I've ever seen. He couldn't lick the crease of Mitch Moses b******k in rep footy though,' posted a third.
On Wednesday night, Cleary passed Mitchell Pearce and Andrew Johns to become NSW's most-capped halfback but has won only eight of his 17 matches for the state.
Of his most recent seven, Cleary has claimed victory in only two, among them a dominant game-two win in Perth in 2022.
Cleary was the starting halfback for all three games of the 2020 series, when the Maroons won with a team branded their worst in history by sections of the Sydney press.
He guided NSW to series wins in 2018 and 2021 with victories in the first two games of those series but has now lost both of the game-three deciders in which he has played.
Unquestionably the leading halfback of his generation, Cleary conceded it was fair to criticise him for not yet having delivered in the Origin arena.
Cleary conceded that his doubters are right to question his track record at State of Origin level
'At the end of the day, I haven't,' the 27-year-old said.
'I'm the harshest marker of myself anyway so I don't really think that what other people say is out of line because I probably think that of myself anyway.
'At the end of the day, you just feel like you've let down the boys that you play with and the state obviously.
'That's what hurts the most. I let down myself and my own high standards. It's frustrating.'
Cleary said it was tough to realise that he would need to wait until next year for another chance at righting the wrongs.
'That's what's sinking in now,' he said.
'I just want to play again but that's not how it works. It's much like a grand final I guess. It's the biggest game of all and if you lose it you've got to wait another whole year to get back there.
'I think it's about just growing from it, not trying to kick stones.'
Penrith and NSW teammate Brian To'o said it was natural for Cleary to be down on himself after the series, which the Blues led 1-0 before dropping two straight games.
'I'd obviously be worried if he wasn't feeling that way but that's just the way he is. I know he'll definitely come back stronger,' he said.
'That's what makes 'Clez' a great player. He's always looking to keep getting better. I know that 'Clez' is definitely going to note this down and hopefully dominate next year.'
