Think this week can’t get any more wild? Think again.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 20: Nathan Cleary of the Panthers runs the ball during the round three NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and Penrith Panthers at Allianz Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Garry Schofield has suggested that Hull FC have offered Penrith Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary a long-term, multi-million-pound deal to come and play in the Super League.
Cleary is out of contract at Penrith come the end of the 2027 season and can soon test himself in the open market, speaking to rival clubs from November 1 should he not extend his time at the Panthers.
And Schofield, who starred for Hull in the 1980s before a long career as a rugby league pundit, has suggested that the Black and Whites have entered the fray to acquire what many within rugby league call the world’s best.
Cleary, at the heart of Penrith’s stellar start to the 2026 NRL season, will play his 200th NRL game against the Canterbury Bulldogs on Friday morning.
The 27-year-old has long been speculated to be open to playing in the Super League given that his long-term partner, Mary Fowler, plays for women’s football side Manchester City. However, the thought of him entertaining a move to Hull – who, ironically, confirmed the end-of-season departure of Penrith-born and former Panther coach John Cartwright on Tuesday – seems crazy.
Nonetheless, it didn’t stop Ben Elias, a former Balmain Tigers player, from reading out Schofield’s tip on Fox TV show NRL360. He said: “This is from Garry Schofield; he says that Nathan Cleary has been offered £1 million a year for four years at Hull FC. That is big, big bucks. He’s certainly setting the level way up here.”
NRL 360 host Braith Anasta, a player agent, added: “That’s allegedly right; I believe it – and what it says is that he may go to November 1 and that’s big dollars.” He wants to be closer to his missus, Mary Fowler.”
The thought of Cleary signing for Hull is bonkers at best – a thought backed up from sources close to the club when asked by Hull Live. However, move to Super League has been talked about for some time, with Elias praising the Penrith half-back, who is best friends with Hull KR star Tyrone May.
He added: “I have never known anyone to say one bad word about this kid. His behaviour off the football paddock has been beautiful. His work ethic is probably the best in the game.
“The only two blokes I can compare him to are Cameron Smith and Joey Johns. Cameron Smith has got all the records, the numbers and the games but this bloke will clock him over for most points and games.”