Players vote Cleary their March Player of the Month
The Rugby League Players Association is pleased to announce Nathan Cleary has been named Player of the Month for March, as voted by NRL players.
Following a commanding start to the 2026 season, the Penrith Panthers’ halfback clinched the March Player of the Month voting ahead of fellow nominees Tanah Boyd and Jackson Ford, both rewarded with nominations after their influential starts to the season for the New Zealand Warriors. The Panthers’ co-captain Cleary set the tone early, leading his side to an undefeated opening month of the 2026 season.
The Panthers faced a tough schedule to begin the season, yet Cleary played a key role in dominant performances against quality opposition, including the defending Premiers the Brisbane Broncos and 2025 Preliminary Finalists the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
This marks Cleary’s first Player of the Month award win, coming from his second nomination (first nominated in August 2023).
Across the opening four rounds, Cleary was instrumental in Penrith’s strong start, leading the competition in points scored (68) and goals (30), scoring a try and setting up six tries, and averaged over 500 kicking metres per game. Cleary’s cool hand and game management were at their best as well.
Cleary’s influence was on full display in Round 4 against Parramatta, when he delivered a clinical performance with four try assists, a perfect eight from eighth from the tee, and kicked for over 400 metres.
Composed and controlled in key moments, Cleary has once again showcased why he is highly regarded by his peers as one of the game’s premier playmakers.
The Player of the Month award is announced on Levels Network each month, the top-ranking rugby league podcast hosted by Justin Horo and Willie Mason.
Nathan Cleary Stats for March
Four games
One (1) try
Six (6) try assists
One (1) linebreak
Seven (7) tackle breaks
Five (5) offloads
One (1) forced drop out
An average of 99 run metres
An average of 529 kick metres.
Jamie Buhrer Praises Nathan Cleary
“On behalf of the RLPA, I’d like to congratulate Nathan Cleary on being voted by the players as their Player of the Month for March,” said Jamie Buhrer, the RLPA’s General Manager of Player and Football Operations
“Nathan was in complete control to start the season. It’s no surprise his strong form has coincided with the Panthers’ fast start to 2026.
“The way Nathan steered the team around the paddock and delivered in big moments set him apart. This has obviously not gone unnoticed by his peers with them recognising him as a well deserved Player of the Month for March.
