Eels forward Nathan Brown’s selection for the grand final after three months out is believed to be a warning of an assault on Nathan Cleary and it has reached the Panthers’ inner sanctum.
Brown has been out of favour with Eels coach Brad Arthur since Round 17 as the club looks to offload his contract, but he earned a stunning recall for the biggest game of the season, despite the fact he hasn’t played first grade in 12 weeks.
Paul Kent believes Brown has been picked to tighten up the Eels’ defence so they do not have to chase points late in the game.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
“I think it is pretty inspired thinking to be honest,” Kent said on NRL 360.
“I really like the selection. We know what Nathan brown brings. He is aggressive. He is in the game the whole time and he does it all flat strap.
“He has come in for Cartwright. I tend to think with Cartwright and Jakob Arthur on the bench together you are sort of getting a bit of like for like.
“Both those player would come on if Parramatta need to chase points, where as I think Nathan Brown is going to prevent Parramatta from having to chase points.
“I think if he goes out and does what Brad Arthur wants him to do that’s where it will be.”
Braith Anasta believes Brown has been chosen to provide a point of difference on the Eels’ bench.
MORE NRL NEWS
DALLY M: Predicted winners for every position as gun Dragon eyes top gong
TEAMS: Arthur swings the axe as last-minute Panthers switch hangs over GF
‘STAY TOGETHER’: Panthers star’s telling verdict on threat to Penrith dynasty
‘COME ON’: Eels star reacts to rift rumours as Panthers skipper clears the air
CUT-THROAT: Why Brad Arthur should make the hardest call of all and drop his son
“You couldn’t have Jakob Arthur and Cartwright,” Anasta said.
“Cartwright would have been there with Brown if Jakob wasn’t because he can play in the halves and be a ball player.
“But you probably do want some physicality, especially considering an intimidation factor as well considering you are taking on the Panthers.”
Paul Crawley argued the Eels would have noted how South Sydney’s bench struggled to maintain the rage in the preliminary final, after the starters got them to a 12-0 lead.
“Especially watching how Souths’ bench fell away last week,” Crawley said.
“Nathan Brown brings that aggression and energy and he will be in their face.
“He will out to get Cleary and put some pressure on and that’s what he needs to do.”
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Anasta asked if Brown had been chosen specifically to put Cleary off his game.
“Is that his job? Do you think they have picked Brown just to take out Cleary?” Anasta asked.
Crawley believes the blueprint to stopping Cleary was provided by the Maroons in Origin III and the Eels will need as many players as possible to target Cleary and his kicking game.
“I think they need as many as they can,” Crawley said.
“If you go back to Origin with Queensland, there was seven or eight guys that got to Cleary that night and put him on his back.
“He had been knocked to the ground more than ever in his career.
“Cooper Cronk has said it time and again, Parramatta didn’t do it in the first game and they need to do it this game. It’s a big ask.”
Dave Riccio noted the selection of Brown has not been lost on the Panthers, who know there is a reason behind his stunning recall.
“Whether it is by design or lost in translation, but it has made its way to foot of the mountains that he has been chosen for a reason,” Riccio said.
“That is to try and ruffle up this Panthers’ pack and get after Nathan Cleary.
“The Panthers within their inner sanctum and speaking about it today, they were talking bout the Brown selection as an interesting one and as a point of reference that it has been made for a reason to potentially send a statement back towards the Panthers.”
However, Riccio allayed any fears of Brown not being match fit, despite his long time out of the team.
“He hasn’t played for three months in the NRL, Round 17 was his last game, yet they have so much faith in Nathan Brown coming straight back in without real question of fatigue or lack of conditioning,” Riccio said.
“By far and away of all those fringe guys that have been training and waiting for their opportunity, he is the fittest.
“He is the fittest on the ground as far as play-the-ball is concerned and physically, so they don’t have any concerns about throwing him in off a long break and bringing that aggression.”
