Heartwarming moment Nathan Cleary climbs over seats to make wheelchair-bound fan’s night

Panthers co-captain Nathan Cleary has shown his class off the field, climbing over rows of spectator seats to meet a wheelchair-bound fan and gifting the boy his jersey after Penrith’s 18-4 win over the Titans.

The 24-year-old star was signing autographs and taking photos with fans post match on Friday night when he jumped over seats at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast to meet Marshall Bamberry.

‘It was really good of him, I see him a lot more genuine now,’ Bamberry, 17, told Daily Mail Australia. 

Nathan Cleary and thrilled fan Marshall Bamberry give the thumbs-up in a wholesome off-field moment

‘He asked who I was, who I went for and I just said I love the footy and love to watch.’ 

The video shows Cleary stepping over seats and climbing over a railing to shake hands and chat with Marshall, born with cerebral palsy – leading the youngster’s support worker Ebony Stringer to praise Cleary’s kindness. 

‘I thought it was absolutely amazing. He’s a bit of a legend for that, he didn’t have to go to the effort’, Ms Stringer said.

‘It’s hard for the disabled community because they don’t get that opportunity to rush down to the crowd and get those photos and signatures.

‘It was awesome to see the smile on Marshall’s face. It was priceless, money can’t buy that. We will definitely be at another game in the future.’ 

Ms Stringer, 22, who cares for Marshall three times a week, said it was the power of the people who encouraged Cleary to make his way up the seats.  

Marshall Bamberry, 22, pictured with his support worker Ebony Stringer, 27, after the Panthers v Titans game at Cbus Super Stadium – where Cleary went out of his way to meet Bamberry.

‘As he (Cleary) got closer I started yelling out ‘Nathan the wheelchair can’t get down there’ and then everyone starting yelling it.

‘He noticed Marshall and gave us the eyebrows that he was on his way up … it was awesome.’ 

After meeting Marshall, Cleary then took his jersey off and handed it to Bamberry.  

Mr Bamberry, who went to school with Titans fullback Jayden Campbell, said he would hang Cleary’s jersey in his living room – adamant that it was to stay on the wall and not to wear.

‘No (I won’t be wearing it). It was really nice … I don’t usually get to do that, because I’m up the back.’      

A thrilled Marshall poses with Nathan Cleary’s game jersey after the star made his night on the Gold Coast

Ms Stringer posted the moment to Instagram with the caption: ”Best night ever’ Marshall said after meeting Nathan Cleary. 

Fans flocked to the NSW half for a piece of the Panthers kit, with one young boy yelling, ‘Can I have your sock?’

Cleary posted a strong 80 minute performance, performing a second half masterclass to steer the Panthers to victory over the Titans 

The 2021 Dally M halfback of the year booted 591 kick metres, set up two tries and scored one himself to guide Penrith home after trailing 4-0 at halftime.