Rugby Star's Off-Field Battle with Digital Addiction
Nathan Cleary, the celebrated Penrith Panthers and NSW halfback, has made a startling admission about his personal life, revealing he is locked in a constant battle to control his addiction to his mobile phone. This confession arrives as the 27-year-old faces a volley of harsh criticism from supporters regarding his recent performances for the Australian national side, the Kangaroos.
The Constant Scroll: Cleary's Dopamine Struggle
While Cleary is renowned for his incredible focus on the field, a trait that guided Penrith to four consecutive grand final victories, he confesses that off the field, his attention is frequently hijacked by his device. "I feel I am a better person, more present and my attention span is a lot better, when I stay off my mobile phone," Cleary stated. He has now turned to 'phone fasting' in an attempt to break the habit.
"It's a constant battle," he elaborated. "You stay away from the phone for a little bit and that builds up a dopamine release, which is a chemical release in your brain. Looking at your phone all the time, it's like quick dopamine hits." The athlete was candid about the addictive nature of scrolling, admitting there are times where he is definitely addicted to it, often finding himself scrolling without a clear purpose.
To combat this, Cleary has also incorporated meditation into his routine, a tool to help him break free from the screen consumption that he says affects many Australians.
Ashes Victory Overshadowed by Fan Backlash
This personal revelation comes while Cleary is in England with the Kangaroos, where he played halfback in a 3-0 Ashes series whitewash against England, culminating in a 30-8 victory at Headingley. Despite this historic clean sweep, the first in over two decades, Cleary has borne the brunt of fan disappointment.
Critics have taken to social media to voice their frustrations, highlighting a recurring theme in Cleary's career where his dominant club form fails to translate to the representative stage. One fan posted, "Nathan Cleary is a system player. Without a Penrith shirt on he is a rather average halfback."
Another compared him to his girlfriend, Matildas football star Mary Fowler, writing, "Nathan Cleary needs to talk to his missus on what it means to play for Australia." Further comments included "Rep jerseys are Nathan Cleary's cryptonite" and "Nathan Cleary has never dominated a rep game in his life," underscoring the intense scrutiny he faces.
Cleary was not the only one to face criticism; coach Kevin Walters was forced to defend his team's performance against claims the series was a "cakewalk" against sub-standard opposition. Walters insisted the matches were tough and emphasised the importance of the Ashes for the development of rugby league in both nations.
