'He can't be!': Cleary masterclass triggers fierce Immortal debate

A fierce debate has ignited

Veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield has predicted Nathan Cleary will become a rugby league Immortal after a 20-minute masterclass to inspire his side’s victory over the Broncos.

Penrith trailed 24-8 after 58 minutes before Clive Churchill Medal winner Cleary set up a try, kicked a 40/20 and scored to record the greatest ever grand final comeback win.

Immortal status is reserved for the game’s greats and is the “greatest honour a player can receive” with figures like Andrew Johns, Clive Churchill and Norm Provan all handed the title.

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But for Rothfield, Cleary will join the elite list of rugby league’s 13 best players once his career comes to an end.

“What I originally said was that he needs to be in the conversation with Andrew Johns and Johnathan Thurston as the best halfback of the modern era,” Rothfield said on NRL360.

“I think after last night… and I’m not being a smartarse, Joey said himself he’s never seen a halfback perform like that.

“I’m saying he has got to be in the conversation for being as good as Joey.

“I have made that call and I stand by it… I think he will be an Immortal.”

League legend Braith Anasta and Daily Telegraph reporter Brent Read, however, said it was far to early to be making the call and highlighted the hole in his resume he needs to address.

“I call him a great now, I think he needs to own Origin, but after last night I have got him in the great status, definitely in the great status,” Anasta said.

“He can’t be an Immortal now, he’s 25-years old, his next two years could be bludgers and then is he still an Immortal?” Read asked.

“By your criteria, Sterlo (Peter Sterling) should be an Immortal, he won three grand finals in a row.”

“I’ve never seen Peter Sterling do what Nathan Cleary did last night, I know he won a lot of games, but I’ve never seen anything like last night,” Rothfield responded.

For Read, Cleary isn’t currently deserving of Immortal status, but can achieve the feat if he continues on his current trajectory.

As it stands, the gun halfback has three premierships, two Clive Churchill Medals and three Origin series victories under his belt.

League legend Gorden Tallis, who has also won three premierships, echoed Read’s opinion.

“I’m not disputing he’s a great player and by the end of his career he probably will be in the conversation, but you can’t say now he will be an Immortal,” Read said.

“If he plays at this level for the next 10 years he will probably go down as the greatest player ever,” Tallis added.

“But right now you want us to vote? I can’t.”