NRL icon Billy Slater has suggested that Nathan Cleary could find the Papua New Guinea Chiefs to be an enticing prospect, particularly due to the financial benefits associated with playing in PNG where player salaries are tax-free. This could mean that earning around $2.5 million per season in PNG effectively equates to a salary of about $4.5 million in Australia after taxes.
Currently, Cleary is under contract with the Penrith Panthers until the end of the 2027 season, while the Chiefs are set to join the NRL in 2028. Coach Willie Peters of the PNG Chiefs has indicated intentions to attract top-tier talent, and Slater believes Cleary may struggle to resist a potentially lucrative offer. Speaking on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show, Slater highlighted that as the salary cap is expected to rise from $13 million to $15 million by the time the Chiefs debut, a player of Cleary’s calibre could demand approximately $2.25 million, which would again be significantly beneficial given the tax advantages.
Despite the monetary allure, Slater emphasised that Cleary’s decision would also need to consider his desire to contribute to building a successful franchise in PNG. Meanwhile, rugby league legend Andrew Johns stated that Cleary is driven more by passion for the game than financial incentives. He believes that if Cleary were to consider a move to the Chiefs, it would be for reasons beyond just money—the opportunity to make a significant impact on the team and elevate its status would be paramount.
In summarising, while the financial benefits of playing for the PNG Chiefs may be a compelling factor, both Slater and Johns agree that Cleary measures his career decisions by a deeper commitment to the sport and the promise of fostering success in a budding franchise rather than pure financial gain.