It’s not often we see the NRL’s two best halfbacks square off in a grand final, but that’s precisely what we’ve got in what promises to be a decider for the ages.
So, what makes Nathan Cleary and Jahrome Hughes so good?
Let’s start with Cleary, who at this stage of his career is right up there with great halfbacks and five-eighths in the game’s history. You can only properly judge him at the end of his playing days, but if he keeps on this trajectory, there is no accolade or accomplishment he won’t have.
If the Panthers win a fourth straight title on Sunday night, I’m almost certain the Clive Churchill Medal will have his name on it for a remarkable third time.
When Nathan came into the NRL, he was a little too conservative with his play. That might be natural because it was in line with his personality. He was very risk-averse.
That’s changed in the past few years. Now, he’s not only creating for himself, but players around him. His running game is top shelf and when he’s kicking the ball into corners and pegging an opposition back, he doesn’t get bored with it.
Nathan Cleary greets Panthers fans.Credit: Getty
He has total control of his game, total control of the game plan and, more importantly, total control of his emotions. When was the last time you saw him really lose his cool on the field? It’s why he’s able to engineer a remarkable comeback, like last year’s grand final, when everything is going against him and his team.
Defensively he’s so strong and the way he competes on every play should be admired. Does anyone remember the last time he lost a 50-50 contest for the ball?
And what about Hughes? He’s had an outstanding season, but his game is built on entirely different foundations to Cleary. His big attacking arsenal is his running game, which is largely based off his right-foot step.
He likes to start his attacking plays on the right side of the field, and prefers when there’s a five-on-five or four-on-four configuration. The key to Hughes is he always wants to beat the first defender from the ruck on his side of the field with that explosive push from his right foot. Where he’s different to many other halves is how strong he is through the core and hips. We saw that last week with the try he scored close to the Roosters’ line, which pretty much any other half would have struggled to convert.
But he’s not just a threat on the right. When he loops around the back of the ruck to combine with Cameron Munster on the left, it usually means he’s going to lean into his passing game to create space for his five-eighth and outside men.
But maybe the best understanding he has is with hooker Harry Grant. When Grant runs, Hughes follows. He doesn’t miss an opportunity. All the best halves are great support players.
I could go on and on about his control of a game improving out of sight too in the past couple of years due to his kicking and picking his moments. But his real threat to Penrith will be when he decides to run the ball.
Jahrome Hughes.Credit: Getty Images
It will be a pleasure to watch the two best No.7s in the game try to take their team to the top of the mountain.
Why I fancy the Storm
Looking at these two teams on paper, this game promises to be a beauty.
This finals series has produced plenty of points, but I suspect this game might go the other way – the victors might need only 20 points to win.
The Storm won well last week and Penrith were good, without being great, in trying conditions at Accor Stadium. I can’t help but think the wet weather affected their performance. But hopefully with a forecast for fine weather and a dry track, we get a grand final to remember.
So, how do the Storm finally end this Penrith dynasty?
If I was in Craig Bellamy’s shoes, I would be putting so much focus into stopping the Panthers’ back three of Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o and Sunia Turuva. If they stop those three, they stop Penrith’s go forward.
The other player I would be putting a target on is Isaah Yeo. How he works in tandem with Cleary in the middle of the field is just magic. They both park their egos, share the ball and get that attack humming.
But Yeo has a trigger that can slow the Panthers’ ball movement. The Storm defenders need to rush him from the inside and outside, and when they do that, he often gets a little spooked and will run the ball. He can be dangerous doing that, too, but you’d rather he cart the ball himself than create space for Cleary on the outside.
Isaah Yeo.Credit: Getty Images
I still haven’t seen a team able to isolate Penrith’s wingers To’o and Turuva under a high ball, and with Xavier Coates and Will Warbrick, Melbourne has a golden opportunity to do that.
When they have the ball, Melbourne will have pockets of attack all over the field. Their spine is the best in the competition.
I actually took time to rate the spines of each team, and I’ve got the Storm coming out on top through Harry Grant (10), Hughes (9), Munster (10) and Ryan Papenhuyzen (8) from the Panthers with Dylan Edwards (9), Jarome Luai (9), Cleary (10) and Mitch Kenny (7).
Melbourne’s set plays are done at great speed with small variations, and when the game really opens up like it did against the Roosters last week, the big four are so dominant.
All of their big plays are designed to put pressure on the gap between the back-rower and half, and in this game, I reckon they will be targeting Luai and Luke Garner. Just have a look at how methodically they picked apart representative players Luke Keary and Angus Crichton last week.
The one negative is the suspension of Nelson Asofa-Solomona. The Panthers’ pack will fancy their chances of winning the yardage game in his absence.
There still has to be doubt over Cleary’s fitness due to his shoulder injury, but this bloke is as tough as they come. He just refuses to play in a dinner suit.
A lot of this game will be what I call kick-reception footy because both teams will complete a high percentage of sets. I expect the second half to open up a bit more.
When it does open up, the question will be: which spine can capitalise? I reckon the Storm have more ad-lib footy, especially if the referee puts his whistle away.
It might just be the end of this remarkable run.
Joey’s tip: Storm by 8
First tryscorer: Will Warbrick
Man of the match: Cameron Munster
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