Three-time NRL premiership winner Nathan Cleary has sparked a backlash among fans after becoming the latest celebrity to endorse the Voice.
A short video of the Panthers star was shared on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s X account on Monday with the caption “It’s a Yes from @_nathancleary.”
‘No voice, no choice. Come on Australia. Vote yes,” the Panthers halfback said.
The 25-year-old then gives two thumbs up to the camera while wearing a t-shirt with the same colors of the Aboriginal flag and the logo: ‘We Support the Uluru Statement’.
His endorsement has caused an uproar with some fans who supported Cleary, while others viewed the NRL player negatively.
Astute social media users also spotted a risky detail hanging in Cleary’s locker room as he announced his stance on The Voice to his supporters.
Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary is criticized for supporting Voice to Parliament in a short video shared on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s social media
Several fans were left unconvinced by Albanese’s latest celebrity endorsement, which came after Cleary’s stellar performance in guiding his team to a miraculous comeback win in the NRL Grand Final on Sunday.
“How to go from hero to zero in less than 24 hours @_nathancleary,” one person commented.
“WOW… well that’s it, if a footballer who has taken countless hits to the head thinks he’s a goon then that must be good,” a second person wrote.
“Yes, when I consider a constitutional change I normally ask the opinion of rugby league players,” a third person added.
A fourth person wrote: ‘What a great player he is. However, it won’t affect how I vote’, while another claimed he had ‘sold his soul to the devil for a third premiership’.
An eagle-eyed Aussie noticed the premiership winner making his political statement with a pair of leopard print underwear displayed behind him.
‘Message aside… is that leopard print “underwear as object”? as a background,” they wrote.
Cleary’s Voice to Parliament endorsement comes after he almost single-handedly dragged Penrith to a 26-25 win over the Broncos as the defending Premiers stared down an ignominious 24-8 defeat midway through the second half.
Eagle-eyed Aussies spotted the three-time premiership winner backing the ‘Yes’ vote as he posed in front of a pair of leopard print underwear
One Australian claimed Cleary went from ‘hero to zero’ in less than 24 hours after leading his team to victory in the NRL grand final, before becoming the latest celebrity to back the ‘Yes’ vote
Some fans labeled Cleary a ‘legend’ for his skill on the football field and his Voice to Parliament message.
‘Great player and sensible message. Well done Nathan Cleary, you are an inspiration,” one person wrote.
‘Well done Nathan Cleary! You have made Penrith Panthers and the nation proud! #yes23,” a second commented.
A third chimed in: ‘Well done in the grand final Nathan… and even better job voting YES.’
Cleary joins a host of sports stars past and present who have supported Indigenous Voice in Parliament.
In the NRL it is endorsed by current Indigenous superstars including Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker, and retired greats such as Jonathan Thurston.
The AFL grand final’s Norm Smith Medal, the equivalent of the Clive Churchill, was claimed by Collingwood’s Bobby Hill, who along with a number of other current players have already thrown their support behind the Voice.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese branded Cleary a “dead-end legend” for his support of the Yes campaign
Cleary joins a host of Australian sports stars supporting the Yes campaign, including Cathy Freeman (pictured at the 2000 Olympic Games in Australia celebrating her 400m gold medal win)
Collingwood’s Norm Smith Medal winner from Saturday’s grand final, Bobby Hill, has also endorsed the Voice
Retired AFL stars Adam Goodes, Eddie Betts, Michael Long and Michael O’Loughlin also cheered the yes vote.
The Yes campaign is not short of star power, with John Farnham even allowing his classic anthem ‘You’re the Voice’ to be used in one of the ads.
The advert features a family watching iconic moments from Australian history on TV, including Cathy Freeman – who also supports the Voice – winning gold at the 2000 Olympics.
The Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum will be held on October 14, with Aussies voting on whether to constitutionally enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisory body.