Cleary pops in to assist Sky Blues
A meeting of minds happened today between the Harvey Norman NSW Sky Blues and Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues halfback and goalkicker Nathan Cleary.
The two Origin teams are in the same Sydney hotel as they prepare for their respective matches on June 25 at Sunshine Coast Stadium (women) and Game II at Suncorp Stadium June 27.
The Penrith contingent of the NSW team arrived in camp on Sunday, where women’s team assistant coach, and former Manly Warringah Sea Eagles NRL coach, Geoff Toovey spoke to them over a coffee.
He asked Cleary if he would talk with the kickers in the Sky Blues at training later that afternoon at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park.
He came and spent 15 minutes with halves Corban Baxter (No.6) and Maddie Studdon (No.7) as well as lock Hannah Southwell, who will share the goal-kicking duties with Studdon.
Cleary also spoke to the team in general about positional kicking and game awareness and said he had enjoyed the exchange of ideas at the start of today’s session.
“It was great to see how much they knew and their technique was spot on, probably better than mine,” he said.
“It was great to watch how they approach things. They were really good kickers.
“In the end I really couldn’t give them too many tips.”
The growth of the women’s game continues to scale heights with participation numbers going past 20,000 for the first time in history this season.
“Just being able to watch the rise of the game from when I first came in (2016 NRL debut for Panthers) until now,” Cleary said.
“They’re getting good crowds and great support and so they should. It’s a really good game to watch. It’s a really good thing that’s going on right now.
“I know a lot of the guys watch the women’s games, especially the Origin matches.”
Cleary will be in Brisbane when the women’s team do battle with Queensland on the Sunshine Coast.
“All of us Origin boys will be tuning in,” he said. “We were lucky to be in camp last year when it was on and we we’ll be glued to the TV again this year. It’s a good event.”