Jett Cleary is an Australian rugby league footballer who plays as a halfback, and one of the most talked-about young playmakers in the NRL system. Born on April 2, 2005, in Auckland, New Zealand, he carries one of the most famous surnames in the sport — he is the younger brother of Penrith Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary and the son of four-time premiership-winning coach Ivan Cleary — yet he has steadily carved out his own identity on the field.
Cleary’s rise accelerated in 2025 and 2026: a championship-winning NSW Cup campaign with the New Zealand Warriors, international representation for Ukraine, and a dream NRL debut for the Warriors in August 2026 that produced a record-tying try-assist haul. This full biography covers Jett Cleary age (21 as of 2026), height (182 cm), weight, rugby league career, family background, and his estimated net worth — along with interesting facts and frequently asked questions about the young halfback.
Jett Cleary Wiki and Biography
| Full Name | Jett Cleary |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 2, 2005 |
| Age | 21 years old (as of October 2026) |
| Birthplace | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Nationality | Australian (born in New Zealand) |
| Ethnicity | White (European descent) |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Profession | Rugby League Footballer (Halfback) |
| Years Active | 2021 – present (juniors); senior career from 2025 |
| Relationship Status | Not publicly disclosed |
Jett Cleary was born on April 2, 2005, in Auckland, New Zealand, at a moment when his family’s rugby league story was already being written. His father, Ivan Cleary, was beginning a coaching role with the New Zealand Warriors at the time, having finished his playing career with the club. The family later returned to Australia, where Jett grew up in Sydney’s west — the heartland of the Penrith Panthers, the club with which the Cleary name would become synonymous.
As the youngest of four Cleary children — with older brother Nathan, and sisters Indi and Milaya — Jett grew up immersed in football. While Nathan’s ascent to superstardom with Penrith (four premierships from 2021 and two Clive Churchill Medals) cast a long shadow, those close to Jett describe a fiercely competitive player determined to succeed on his own terms. He came through the Panthers’ famed junior pathways, playing Harold Matthews Cup in 2021–2022 and SG Ball in 2023–2024, and represented the New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges at the national schoolboys championships.
His junior club was Brothers Penrith, and he attended St Dominic’s College. By his late teens he was regarded as a genuine halfback prospect: a natural organizer with a sharp kicking game and the competitive edge — teammates and opponents alike have described him as a “dog,” rugby league slang for a player who rips in and competes on every play.
Jett Cleary Height, Weight and Body Measurements
| Height | 182 cm (6 feet 0 inches) |
|---|---|
| Weight | 84 kg (185 lbs) |
| Body Measurements | Athletic rugby league build; measurements not publicly detailed |
| Eye Color | Not publicly documented |
| Hair Color | Dark brown |
| Shoe Size | Not publicly disclosed |
| Distinctive Features | Athletic halfback’s frame; noted for a strong kicking game |
Standing 182 cm tall and weighing 84 kg, Jett Cleary has the prototypical build of a modern NRL halfback — tall enough to see over the ruck and kick effectively, solid enough to handle the defensive workload the position demands. Official NSW Cup profiles list him at 182 cm and 84 kg, figures consistent across the Warriors, NRL, and NSWRL databases.
Earlier in his development, while playing SG Ball for Penrith, he was listed at a lighter 81 kg, reflecting the physical development typical of a teenage playmaker maturing into senior football. His 2025 NSW Cup statistics underline his all-round contribution: across the season he recorded strong numbers in try assists, line-break assists, kicking metres, and tackles made — the complete toolkit of a developing NRL halfback.
Jett Cleary Career
| Profession | Rugby League Halfback |
|---|---|
| Career Started | Junior career 2021 (Harold Matthews, Penrith); senior debut May 25, 2025 (Warriors NSW Cup) |
| Known For | NRL debut for the Warriors (August 2026); Ukraine international; younger brother of Nathan Cleary |
| Platforms | Penrith Panthers juniors; New Zealand Warriors (NSW Cup & NRL); Ukraine national team; Penrith Panthers (from 2027) |
| Career Milestones | 2025 NSW Cup premiership + NRL State Championship with Warriors; Ukraine debut at 2025 European Championships; NRL debut August 30, 2026 (Warrior #301, record 4 try assists); signed to rejoin Penrith Panthers for 2027 |
Cleary’s senior breakthrough came after he signed with the New Zealand Warriors, the club announced his three-year deal in April 2024. The move was a homecoming of sorts — he had been born in Auckland while his father was at the club — and Warriors officials spoke of his pedigree and game understanding from the Penrith pathways. He made his NSW Cup debut for the Warriors on May 25, 2025, against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
The 2025 season proved to be a launching pad. Cleary was part of the Warriors side that won the NSW Cup premiership and then the NRL State Championship, and his personal numbers were outstanding for a young halfback: 6 tries, 52 goals, 9 try assists, 11 line-break assists, and 436 tackles across the campaign, with an average of 221.6 kicking metres per game. In the same year he represented Ukraine — the nation of his heritage — at the 2025 Rugby League European Championships, playing three matches and scoring 22 points (1 try, 9 goals).
The defining moment arrived on August 30, 2026. With regular halfback Chanel Harris-Tavita sidelined by a hamstring injury, Cleary was handed his NRL debut for the Warriors against the Newcastle Knights at Go Media Stadium — in front of his father Ivan, brother Nathan, mother Rebecca, and sisters Indi and Milaya. Warrior #301 produced a stunning performance: three try assists in some reports, a record-tying four in others, plus three tackle breaks, 13 kicks for 220 metres, and 14 tackles in a 46–32 win. He and Ivan became only the second father-son combination to represent the Warriors.
Weeks later came the next twist: Cleary was granted an early release from the Warriors to rejoin the Penrith Panthers — his junior club and his brother’s team — for the 2027 season, setting up one of the NRL’s most fascinating storylines: two Cleary halfbacks at the same club.
Jett Cleary Net Worth
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed (estimated) |
|---|---|
| Income Sources | NRL/NSW Cup playing contracts |
Jett Cleary’s net worth is not publicly disclosed, which is normal for a player at the very start of his professional career. Having made his NRL debut in 2026 and signed for Penrith from 2027, he is on a standard young-player contract pathway — a world away from the marquee deals commanded by established stars like his brother Nathan.
Any figures circulating online should be treated as speculation. What is verifiable is his trajectory: NSW Cup champion, international representative, and NRL debutant before his 22nd birthday, with a return to the premiership-winning Panthers system ahead. If his development continues on its current curve, his earning potential in the NRL is considerable — but for now, his net worth remains a private matter.
10 Interesting Facts About Jett Cleary
- He was born in Auckland, New Zealand, on April 2, 2005, while his father Ivan was coaching the Warriors.
- He is the younger brother of Penrith Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary and son of coach Ivan Cleary.
- He played his junior football with Brothers Penrith and attended St Dominic’s College.
- He represented the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges at the national schoolboys championships.
- He won the 2025 NSW Cup premiership and the NRL State Championship with the Warriors.
- He represented Ukraine at the 2025 Rugby League European Championships, scoring 22 points in three games.
- He became Warrior #301 on his NRL debut against Newcastle on August 30, 2026.
- On debut he recorded a record-tying four try assists in the Warriors’ 46–32 win.
- He and his father Ivan became only the second father-son combination to play for the Warriors.
- He was granted an early release to rejoin the Penrith Panthers — his brother’s club — for the 2027 season.
Conclusion
Jett Cleary’s story is still in its opening chapters, but the early pages are remarkable. From Penrith junior to Warriors champion to a record-setting NRL debut watched by his famous family, he has handled the weight of the Cleary name with composure and produced football that stands on its own merits.
The 2027 move to Penrith sets up the next act: the youngest Cleary learning his craft at the club where his brother became a legend — and where their father once coached. Whether he becomes a star in his own right or a superb foil, Jett Cleary has already shown he belongs at the top level. Rugby league will be watching.
FAQs About Jett Cleary
1. Who is Jett Cleary?
Jett Cleary is an Australian rugby league halfback, the younger brother of Nathan Cleary and son of Ivan Cleary, who debuted in the NRL for the New Zealand Warriors in 2026.
2. How old is Jett Cleary in 2026?
Jett Cleary was born on April 2, 2005, making him 21 years old as of October 2026.
3. How tall is Jett Cleary?
Jett Cleary is 182 cm (6 feet 0 inches) tall and weighs 84 kg.
4. Which teams has Jett Cleary played for?
Penrith Panthers juniors, the New Zealand Warriors (NSW Cup and NRL), and the Ukraine national team. He rejoins Penrith for the 2027 NRL season.
5. When did Jett Cleary make his NRL debut?
August 30, 2026, for the New Zealand Warriors against the Newcastle Knights — a 46–32 win in which he set up a record-tying four tries.
6. Is Jett Cleary related to Nathan Cleary?
Yes — Jett is Nathan Cleary’s younger brother. Their father is Ivan Cleary, the four-time premiership-winning Penrith coach.
7. What position does Jett Cleary play?
Halfback — the chief playmaker and kicking organizer, the same position his brother Nathan plays.
8. Did Jett Cleary play international rugby league?
Yes — he represented Ukraine at the 2025 Rugby League European Championships, playing three matches.
9. What is Jett Cleary’s net worth?
His net worth is not publicly disclosed; as a young player early in his NRL career, verified figures are unavailable.
10. Is Jett Cleary joining the Penrith Panthers?
Yes — he was granted an early release from the Warriors to rejoin Penrith, his junior club, for the 2027 NRL season.
Last Updated: October 2026 | Fact-checked by Xposed editorial team