The family name and uncanny resemblance to his dad ensured he would always be judged harder than most other players but the weight of external expectation seemed to produce the best in him.
"It's been around since I was a young age so I've been able to adapt and get used to it," he said. "I don't really feel like there's that much pressure anymore and when there is I block it out. I definitely didn't expect to be playing NRL this year but I'm lucky to be surrounded by a pretty good team so they're helping me along the way."
Ivan's controversial exit from Penrith last October naturally came as a disappointment to Nathan, who was playing in the club's title-winning NYC team. But in a mark of his desire to make it to first grade on his own, the then Australian Schoolboys captain declined to activate a get-out-clause in his contract that would allowed him to follow his dad to another club.
Watching him steer the Panthers to last week's comprehensive win over Brisbane in the cauldron of Suncorp Stadium, Cleary displayed all the ice cool qualities that were trademarks of his father's game.
His combination with five-eighth Bryce Cartwright has given the eighth-placed Panthers balance and helped their climb into finals contention after an inconsistent start.
"The way he's playing is exactly the way he's played in every other grade and junior team," Ivan explained proudly. "He's really latched on to the notion of doing what's best for the team with his kicking game and making other players around him look better. There's a lot of hype around him but he still does very little at home so nothing's changed."
After torturing Broncos wing Corey Oates with a series of towering kicks, his dad, together with Panthers coach Anthony Griffin, have surely encouraged him to repeat the tactic against Warriors veteran Manu Vatuvei?
"I obviously know a little bit about the Warriors. But he watches and is pretty good at working things out."
