Fast forward to 2017 and Packer is studying a commerce degree at the University of Wollongong. He recently received a Dean's Award for his outstanding results.
Packer also spends time working with children with disabilities in the Wollongong area, has given up alcohol and taken self-improvement courses, since being released from jail.
This transformation is why Cleary was so eager to get Packer to the Tigers as his forward leader.
"He's got a great story, a story of hard knocks and coming out the other side, and that will resonate with lots of the boys here," the Wests Tigers coach said.
"It's well documented, he's had his setbacks, but I think he's a completely different man to the one I first met and even the one I left at the Warriors.
"He's really changed. He'd be the first to admit that he had to make some mistakes to get where he is now.
"He can actually be a real mentor for some of the young guys here. He knows what it's like to be on the wrong side of things and he's making up for it now."
Packer credits much of his transformation to education, which was made possible by the Graduates of League programme.
"I've been studying at the University of Wollongong since 2015 and utilising the Graduates of League programme, which has been of huge benefit to me and my studies," Packer told the Illawarra Mercury.
"Studying while you're playing, even though it's hard to juggle, is good because of programmes like Graduates of League that are available to you.
"It's great opportunity for [players] who want to go to university, the resources there are unbelievable and if you don't utilise them, it's kind of on you.
"Just having help, someone to talk to ... it's a great resource and hopefully all the boys that use the Graduates of League programme fully take on board everything available to them."
