Origin insider: Cleary packs bags for Bali, V’landys on Caxton Street

NSW Blues star Nathan Cleary will jet to Bali on Thursday to recharge the batteries before Penrith’s premiership assault in the coming months.

Origin Insider was told Cleary will join his school friends on a hit-and-run trip to the holiday destination.

Nathan Cleary will head to Bali to recharge the batteries after a gruelling Origin campaign for NSW.Credit:Getty

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has given his seven State of Origin players a week off. They’re not expected back at training until next Thursday and won’t play against the Wests Tigers this Sunday afternoon.

While Cleary blows off some steam in Bali, his co-captain Isaah Yeo has chosen a far more low-key destination. He will enjoy the next week in Mudgee.

The Panthers will be hoping Cleary’s Bali getaway doesn’t become another headline.

In the AFL last month, Collingwood star Jordan De Goey was filmed partying in Bali during the bye round, with footage emerging of the 26-year-old appearing to try and partially expose a woman’s breast while at a nightclub. The club was heavily criticised and De Goey was handed a suspended $25,000 fine.

The NRL has also had its fair share of problems in Bali. Gold Coast Titans wrecking ball David Fifita was arrested and locked up over an alleged assault outside a nightclub in Seminyak during his time at the Broncos in 2019.

He was released after Broncos officials negotiated a peace agreement with the security guard he allegedly assaulted. It came a month after Melbourne Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona was involved in a filmed brawl outside the same nightclub.

Ivan flying again after health scare

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has been given the all clear by doctors to fly again. Cleary missed a couple of games for Penrith after doctors found blood clots in his lung.

He was given the green light to make the trip to Brisbane to watch his son in Wednesday night’s decider.

Double take in Blues camp

There were a few confused faces in the NSW camp on game day when Daniel Saifiti arrived in the team hotel on Wednesday morning.

The identical twin brother of debutant Jacob Saifiti flew up from Newcastle for the game. He could have come on at half-time and few would have noticed. Their mother Bev presented Jacob with his jersey on Monday night.

Premier class for V’landys

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet is a brave man. He joined his Queensland counterpart Annastacia Palaszczuk in a walk down Caxton Street before kick-off on Wednesday night.

Queensland premier Anastasia Palaschuk and NSW premier Dominic Perrottet walked down Caxton Street with Peter V’landys (centre) and Andrew Abdo in a walk down Caxton Street before the game.

NRL boss Andrew Abdo and ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys also made the walk down the jam-packed strip to Suncorp Stadium alongside the respective NSW and Queensland leaders.

They were escorted to the ground by a strong police contingent. We’re told the Queenslanders were on their best behaviour (at least before the game).

Abdo and V’landys stopped for a quick photo outside the Gambaro Hotel, the venue the NRL recently purchased as its first asset. To say the place was pumping would be an understatement.

In the NRL suite before kick-off, Abdo had the group of VIPs in raptures when he apologised for the Queen’s absence at the decider. “Don’t worry, we’ve got you the next best thing out of Buckingham Palace,” Abdo said, before welcoming V’landys to the microphone.

Sterlo back in the box

NSW and Channel Nine legend Peter Sterling made his way into the commentary box on Wednesday night. Sterling has been on a European odyssey.

The decider was one of a few games of rugby league he has watched since retiring as a caller.

It was lovely to see the embrace between him and long-time colleague and friend Paul Vautin. They ran into each other at the back of the media centre 90 minutes before kick-off.

NRL raises its game for Immortals

The NRL has been criticised in the past for not honouring some of the greats of the game. It was hard to fault the organisation for its efforts on Wednesday night.

The NRL organised a private box for the families of several of the sport’s Immortals, including Reg Gasnier, Dally Messenger, Norm Provan and Arthur Beetson.

Web Cam: Maroons star still involved in build-up

Our Queensland spies tell us Cameron Munster was constantly FaceTiming his teammates while isolating with COVID-19.

He was involved in team sessions and helped the coaching staff in the lead-up to the game.

Watch the State of Origin decider exclusively live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now.

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