Radical $15.6m deal that could get three Clearys to PNG

Peter V’landys has already landed a big name for the PNG NRL outfit after poaching Michael Chammas from Channel 9, but could a triple header of Clearys be next on the list?

Chammas is set to become the general manager of football for the franchise which is set to enter the competition as the 19th team in 2028.

With one big position filled, attention is now turning to who the coach and marquee players could be.

The Cleary name is of course being linked, but SEN’s Jimmy Smith has presented a radical plan to get the entire family to make the move.

While Wayne Bennett would have the experience, at 76-years-old by the time the Chiefs are entering the competition, Ivan Cleary is a more likely choice from a longevity point of view.

Ivan and superstar son Nathan’s contracts with the Panthers both expire in 2027 meaning negotiations for a significant pay day would give PNG the perfect opportunity to table an irresistible deal.

“I am putting this to you,” Smith said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“I am making these assumptions. Penrith offers Nathan Cleary $1.5m and the contract is four years – not unreasonable and I’ve given him a pay rise. You could give him an eight-year deal no one would blink an eye.

“Ivan Cleary, I’m going to give him a salary of $1.1m at the Panthers and Jett Cleary (the other son) $150k at the Warriors. Four years after tax on those salaries overall they will clear $6.4m as a family.

“PNG will pay $2m for Nathan on four years, to Ivan they will give him $1.5 across four years and for Jett, just to get the deal over the line, we will give him $400k. That’s $15.6m with zero tax.

“Compare that to $6.4m if they stayed in Australia.”

While a dream scenario for V’landys and the NRL as it looks to grow the game outside of Australian shores, Mat Rogers is not convinced the PNG set up will be tempting enough for big name players or coaches.

“Jason Demetriou and Wayne Bennett have been mentioned, and Ivan Cleary has been touted,” he said on SEN Sportsday, “I cannot see him going.

“$1.3 million Nathan is on at the moment; the lure of tax-free dollars? I’ve heard it mooted but I haven’t heard V’landys come out and say what will happen if you play for PNG.

“The other NRL clubs will blow up if that is the case too.

“Wayne Bennett would be ideal up there, he has such a standing in the game, you need a senior coach up there. It’s going to be tough conditions. A lot of things up there will be so hard that you don’t even have to consider down here.

“I’ve looked at the venue and where the town centre would be, but it’s Port Moresby which is the second most dangerous city in the world. It’s terrifying to think we are sending players and families up there.

“God no (I wouldn’t have gone). You wouldn’t take a family up there it’s dangerous. You would never forgive yourself if something happened. It will be a tough sell.”