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- NRL 2026 Four Point Focus: The Triangle Leading To Cleary's Curling Grubber
NRL 2026 Four Point Focus: The Triangle Leading To Cleary's Curling Grubber
Give Nathan Cleary an inch in the defensive line, and he will use a pass, carry or kick to take it a mile.
Jason Oliver
December 24, 2025
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The Four Point Focus breaks down a try from every round of the 2025 NRL season, highlighting the context, shape, trigger and the lessons learned. It’s viewed with an eye on 2026 as we look for trends, breakout players and hints of what might be to come next season.
This is an off-season series for Premium subscribers who choose to support my work over the break.
Point 1 - The Context
We’re in Round 5 and the Penrith Panthers have lost three on the bounce following their opening round win in Las Vegas.
Penrith needs their superstar halfback to lead the way, and while the North Queensland Cowboys do come back to win, it’s not before Nathan Cleary lays on an absolute beauty of a try assist.
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Point 2 - The Shape
The short kicking game doesn’t get enough mention when assessing the best halfbacks in the NRL. If it’s not a try assist or Supercoach points, we’re not seeing a deft touch close to the line in the extended highlights.
Andrew Johns is one of the greats kicking close to the line and this video provides a glimpse into the detail that goes into getting it right.
Staying square, moving laterally, engaging defenders to create channels. There is a lot more to it than simply dropping the ball onto the foot.
Nathan Cleary’s grubber for Izack Tago is a product of everything Johns mentioned.
He’s managed to thread the needle through the Cowboys defence, bend the ball around scrambling defenders, and roll it end-over-end for it to sit up for his centre.
The key shape we’re highlighting here is the triangle. It’s the most dangerous shape in rugby league for a defence. On this occassion, it’s the only thing that really makes Cleary’s kick possible.
Penrith shifted the ball in a planned move on fourth tackle. North Queensland’s sliding defence did the job to leave Cleary and the Panthers with few options coming off the sideline on the last.
It should have been relatively easy to defend, but give Cleary an angle, and he will use it.
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