Nathan Cleary free agent as Roosters move past shock Walker exit
Cleary becomes a free agent today; Roosters are bidding to sign him after their premiership halfback Sam Walker unexpectedly left.
Nathan Cleary is now a free agent and the Roosters have emerged as a surprise contender to sign him, despite long assuming he would stay at Penrith. The move came after Sam Walker, the Roosters' premiership-winning halfback, split from the club over contract negotiations.
Cleary is expected to stay at Penrith, where he has played his whole career, but the Roosters are giving him an option beyond the Panthers and the Chiefs (PNG). The Chiefs are offering about $2.5 million per year in third-party payments, while the Panthers have about $1.7 million left on their cap.
Nick Politis, Roosters supremo, is meeting with Phil Gould, Bulldogs general manager, next week, another hint of the market shifting. Walker is being considered by Canterbury and others after his unexpected exit.
- Penrith (entire career)
- Cleary's career location
- $1.7 million
- Panthers salary cap available
- $2.5 million per year
- Chiefs third-party offer
- Today
- Free agent date
Why it mattersCleary's free agency could reshape NRL halfback options for 2027, pulling one of the game's best playmakers into an unexpected bidding war.
AustraliaNRL clubs are openly competing for the competition's top halfback, signalling a tight salary cap squeeze across the league.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
