How footy superstar Nathan Cleary could have ended up at the Melbourne Storm in sliding doors moment

He has been dubbed the ‘Prince of Penrith’ by many adoring fans – but NRL superstar Nathan Cleary has revealed he could have joined the Melbourne Storm just under a decade ago.

The year was 2015 and Craig Bellamy was on the lookout for a Cooper Cronk replacement – and Ivan Cleary had just been sacked by Phil Gould at the Panthers for being ‘tired’.

Now a three-time premiership-winning coach following his return to the club in 2019, Cleary was in the conversation to be a consultant at AAMI Park.

His son Nathan – who was yet to make his NRL debut – had a clause in his contract which could have seen the halfback become a free agent.

‘I remember there were whispers, but nothing concrete,’ Cleary told News Corp.

The Storm asked the question about the emerging playmaker – but were politely informed Cleary wanted to stay with his mates at the foot of the Blue Mountains in NSW.

Melbourne then turned their attention to Jahrome Hughes, converting the fullback into an elite number seven.

And come Sunday night at Accor Stadium, whoever wins the individual battle between Cleary and Hughes will most likely be wearing a premiership ring moments after fulltime.

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy was said to be interested – but after Cleary stayed at Penrith, the Storm turned their attention to developing Jahrome Hughes

The former fullback has shown his class in the halves, and is now also a Dally M Medal winner

Hughes will be brimming with confidence after winning the coveted Dally M Medal on Wednesday, while Cleary is gunning for his fourth successive premiership.

‘I think they [Storm] are pretty happy with their decision anyway,’ a modest Cleary said when it came to his opposite Hughes, who is also a Kiwi international.

‘[You could say] it worked out both ways.’

Penrith’s playing group also still carry scars from the 2020 NRL decider.

Underdogs heading into the clash, Melbourne raced out to a commanding 26-0 lead early in the second half following a try to fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen.

While the minor premiers finished strongly, the Storm held on to win a thriller.

Penrith bounced back to win titles from 2021-2023 – and they will eclipse Parramatta’s famous team from the 1980s if they can win four successive grand finals on Sunday.

Kick-off is 7.30pm from Accor Stadium in Sydney.