Nathan Cleary walked through Sydney airport’s domestic arrivals hall wearing a Germany World Cup football jersey, an American baseball cap and a huge grin.
Flanked by girlfriend Mary Fowler after disembarking from their delayed QF523 flight from Brisbane, the champion playmaker wore an aesthetic that would have been complete had the Wally Lewis medal, which Cleary had earned after being crowned State of Origin’s man of the series, been draped around his neck.
Cleary politely declined interview requests in Brisbane on Thursday morning after a long night of celebrations with his Blues teammates after capturing the Origin shield with a stunning 30-12 win over Queensland.
But after arriving back in the Harbour City, the NSW halfback was happy to reflect on his latest achievement – one he regards up there alongside his four premierships for Penrith and heroics in the green and gold of Australia.
“Oh, it’s right at the top,” Cleary said. “Being able to represent your state, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do as a kid. And to do it on the biggest stage and get a win like that, it’s unbelievable. And I’m really proud to be a NSW man today, and to be able to get that win.”
Half a dozen members of the victorious Blues team caught the same flight from Brisbane to Sydney. As they waited for their luggage at the carousel, it was one last chance to mingle and reflect on what they had just achieved before parting company.
“No one’s done what we’ve done last night,” coach Laurie Daley said while posing for selfies with fans. “I don’t think anyone’s lost game II from NSW and won a decider in Queensland. So that’s pretty special. No one’s done that.”
The Blues’ 30-12 victory at Suncorp Stadium, which wrapped up the series, has been described by some as an ambush. Blues captain Isaah Yeo didn’t see it that way.
“It’s only an ambush if the person knows it’s happening,” Yeo offered.
“There was a lot of stuff in the press during the lead-up, not just from Queensland but from our own press in NSW. I think it sort of galvanised the group, particularly off the back of [that loss] in game II.
“I thought that result there could have fractured us, or it could have really strengthened us. I thought that’s what it did; it strengthened us, and I think we showed that on the biggest stage.”
The result answered some of the questions that had lingered over the NSW side throughout the campaign. Has Cleary owned Origin? Was Daley the right choice as coach? Does NSW really understand what Origin is all about?
All three queries were answered with an emphatic “yes” after Daley’s team dominated the Maroons on their own turf.
It left only one loose end to tie up. In securing the series, Daley has fulfilled the second and final year of his contract. It has been widely expected that he won’t seek another term, but the coach didn’t want to broach his future for fear of deflecting attention away from his victorious team.
“I won’t go down that path,” Daley said. “I’ll just sort of let it sit for a bit [and address that] in due course.”
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