It was a strange end to the season for Cleary, sat watching the grand final instead of being involved at the heart of it.
For the first time since 2019 Penrith failed to make the season's finale, leaving the Panthers captain kicking his heels as Brisbane played Melbourne on the big day.
He did, however, sit down to watch the match, dramatically won by a Reece Walsh-inspired Broncos, who a week earlier had pulled off a similar comeback win against Penrith.
"I did watch it, and I definitely felt envious not being in it," Cleary told AAP.
"But I think I had a great appreciation for what Brisbane were able to do.
"All three finals games were super tough, and they were the team coming home the strongest and the fittest.
"They did that again in the grand final and Reece's performance was absolutely unbelievable. You've just got to tip your hat sometimes and appreciate other teams."
After losing the showpiece to the Storm in 2020, Cleary and Penrith had won four successive grand finals before this year.
Missing out, said the 27-year-old, only served to renew his hunger to return in 2026.
"It hurts seeing someone else lift up the trophy. It's definitely a bit of fuel on the fire to work hard and get back there."
Cleary was speaking in London as he prepared for the first Ashes Test between Australia and England at Wembley.
He echoed the thoughts of Storm's Harry Grant, who said playing for the Kangaroos so soon after the grand final was the best way to get over Melbourne's loss.
"Lucky enough we had this coming up," said Cleary, "and I'm able to play alongside those guys that were a part of the grand final."
The decorated halfback is one of the most recognisable sportsmen in Australia and he said he had enjoyed being able to wander around London in anonymity.
That might change as the tour heads north to rugby league's English heartland, and Cleary admits it'll be a good sign for the sport if it does.
The three Tests are all being shown on free-to-air BBC television, and more than 150,000 fans will watch live with the matches in Liverpool and Leeds sold out.
Asked if it would signal the series has been a success if he starts being stopped in the street by fans by the end of it, Cleary said: "Yeah, I'd say so.
"I think that would be a good way to sum up whether it's been a good series or not.
"We want to grow the international game, and I think this is such a great spectacle to be a part of.
"To be able to do that, especially with two competitive sides England and Australia, the rivalry there. I feel very lucky to be a part of it."
Cleary is staying on at the end of the series to spend time with his partner, Matildas striker Mary Fowler, who stars for Manchester City in England's Women's Super League.
He said he gets called "Mary Fowler's boyfriend" in England, so maybe the true test of the Ashes' success in raising the sport's profile will be which one gets recognised first when they're out in Manchester once the series is over.
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