Nathan Cleary’s Home Damaged as Panthers Prepare for NRL Season Opener
Penrith Panthers star Nathan Cleary is facing a domestic setback just days before the start of the NRL season, with his Sydney home sustaining damage after a portion of the kitchen ceiling collapsed. The incident occurred on Wednesday, impacting the recently renovated property.
Ceiling Collapse and Social Media Response
Images shared on Instagram by Cleary show the aftermath of the incident, with a metal rangehood having fallen through the ceiling. Cleary accompanied the posts with a lighthearted inquiry, asking if anyone knew a “magician” who could fix his roof, along with a “beauty” emoji and a thumbs-up as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Property History and Renovations
Cleary purchased the home, located near the Panthers’ training base in Penrith, from his father and coach, Ivan Cleary, in 2013 for $1.175 million. He lived in the home during his teenage years. In 2023, the premiership-winning halfback undertook a “moody” renovation of the property, adding a putting green and updating the interior to create contemporary indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces as noted by Yahoo Sports.
Concerns and Financial Implications
Social media commentators expressed relief that Cleary was not present when the ceiling collapsed, noting the potential for serious injury. Given Cleary’s status as the NRL’s highest-paid player, earning around $1.3 million per season, the repair bill is unlikely to pose a significant financial burden.
Upcoming Season and Personal Life
The Penrith Panthers begin their 2026 NRL season with a match against the Brisbane Broncos in Brisbane on Friday. Cleary is similarly expected to support his girlfriend, Matildas player Mary Fowler, when she competes in the Asian Cup, with her team playing against Iran on Thursday on the Gold Coast.
Nathan Cleary – Career Highlights
Nathan Cleary (born November 14, 1997) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who co-captains and plays as a halfback for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL. He is widely considered one of the best players in the modern era. Key achievements include:
- Dally M Halfback of the Year: 2020, 2021 and 2025
- Clive Churchill Medal: 2021 and 2023
- Premiership Wins: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- World Cup Winner: 2022 (representing Australia)
More information about Nathan Cleary can be found on the Penrith Panthers website.
Further details are available on his Wikipedia page.