Nathan Cleary has said a move to rugby union is not being considered as he insists he has yet to achieve more in rugby league.
It comes amid ongoing rumors that a move to England to be closer to girlfriend Mary Fowler could be a serious possibility at the end of next season.
Cleary’s contract expires at the end of 2027, which also marks the end of his father Ivan’s tenure as head coach, with the 55-year-old announcing his decision to take on a new challenge earlier this year.
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The superstar midfielder also finally won the Origin decider this month and was also named man of the series.
It was another milestone for Cleary in a stellar season to date, with the 28-year-old also the clear favorite to win his first ever Dally M medal.
If he wins the sport’s top individual honour, he will officially have accomplished everything an NRL player can do, raising fears his future could lie further down the mountain.
But as music to Penrith fans’ ears, Cleary said he still has unfinished business in the NRL.
“If anything, that enthusiasm is probably growing even more,” Cleary told Nine.
“It just feels like that. I feel like I can become a lot better.
“When you can have some success, it becomes addictive and you just want more.
“I’ve always said rugby league is my passion. I’ve loved it for as long as I can remember, so it will always be life for me.”
Although Cleary hinted that he has no plans to leave, he did not commit his future to the Panthers.
“I’ll think about it over the next few weeks,” Cleary added.
With the door to rugby closed, at least for now, the only likely move would be a move to Super League to be closer to his partner Fowler.
The Matildas superstar plays football for Manchester City in England and recently said she has no plans to return to Australia anytime soon.
And NRL Immoral Andrew Jones said ahead of this year’s Origin series that he thought Cleary could move overseas if he “owned” the Origin series, which he did this year.
“He’s won competitions, he’s won everything on club soil – but I don’t think Nathan will leave until he has an Origin series,” Jones said on Immortal Behavior in April.
“If you look at any of the great halfbacks or X-factor players of the last 30 years in Origin… that’s where you create your real legacy and Nathan recognized that.”
Now that that has been ticked, Cleary’s attention turns back to club country as he looks to lead the Panthers to a fifth NRL premiership in six years.
He will then become an integral part of Kevin Walters’ Kangaroos side as they look to win another world title at the end of the year.