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In what promises to be a blockbusting and history-making all-Queensland NRL decider tomorrow night at ANZ Stadium, Adam Blair is my pick to win the coveted Clive Churchill Medal for best on ground.
The reborn 29-year-old Broncos prop is set to join illustrious previous winners like Peter Sterling (1986), Allan Langer (1992), Gorden Tallis (1998), Darren Lockyer (2000), Greg Inglis (2007), Billy Slater (2009), Cooper Cronk (2012), and last year’s winner Sam Burgess, to name but a few.
Record-breaking four-time Dally M winner Johnathan Thurston is the understandable favourite at $2.75 with his very talented opposite number Ben Hunt on the second line at $6.50, but Blair’s not in the top 10 contenders, currently at $23.
That’s top odds for Blair who looms as a major cog in the Broncos’ smooth machinery.
And he has master coach Wayne Bennett to thank.
After five seasons with the Storm, Blair was signed as a marquee player for the Wests Tigers, but that signing was virtually doomed from the start.
Blair was never happy at the club that was constantly beset by internal problems and unwanted headlines.
Told to move on, Bennett snapped up Blair without hesitation and the transformation has been as stunning as you would expect from a man who has that uncanny knack to get the most out of his troops.
This decider is fascinating, it boils down to the coaching genius of Wayne Bennett against the sheer brilliance of Johnathan Thurston, who will play despite carrying an injury.
That makes it a nail-biting cliffhanger.
Bennett will have the two non-stop in attack and defence of Blair and kindred spirit Sam Thaiday at their peak. He will also rely on the ageless Corey Parker, the two superb young gun pivots Hunt and Anthony Milford, and the skipper Justin Hodges who will play despite an ongoing back injury.
A mighty impressive array.
Thurston, who has been illegally late-tackled more than any other NRL player, heads the Cowboys campaign.
It would be fair to say the vast majority of uncommitted rugby league fans would dearly love to see the Cowboys win their first premiership in their 23-year history.
And Thurston is obviously the prime motivator.
But he will look to his tireless co-captain Matt Scott to do the damage up front with giant James Tamou and Jake Glanville, while Thurston will lift Michael Morgan and Justin O’Neill to great heights.
And in the process Johnathan Thurston will conclusively prove he’s the greatest halfback rugby league has ever seen.
But it’s the tactical genius of Bennett who stands between him and the premiership.
Wayne Bennett to make it eight grand final victories from as many attempts.