Nathan Cleary set to snub Chiefs and stay at Penrith

Nathan Cleary is set to remain at Penrith, rejecting the PNG Chiefs and a host of other options. According to Danny Weidler, the Dally M Medallist will sign a two-year extension with a two-year player option, and the Chiefs have been informed. PNG had made Cleary their number one target and were prepared to offer around $1.5 million a season tax-free. He had also been linked to the Roosters as a replacement for Sam Walker, and to a move overseas to be closer to his partner, Matildas star Mary Fowler. Code Sports reports the deal is worth upwards of $1.7 million a season, making it one of the biggest contracts in NRL history. Talks were first reported to be close in September but were put on hold after Cleary broke his leg in the preliminary final. Isaah Yeo is also staying, and the Panthers will now turn their attention to re-signing Moses Leota, with an offer expected this week.

By Danny Weidler, Peter Badel, Brent Read, CODE Sports — read the full story