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Opinion
The big day is almost here when we’ll find out whether Brisbane’s resurgence under Kevin Walters will be enough to stop Ivan Cleary’s reigning premiers sweeping another contender aside.
It will be some contest – the two best teams throughout the season, finishing with 18 wins apiece, both teams averaging nearly 27 points every time they take the field and seemingly only Penrith’s superior defence standing between Brisbane and their first premiership since 2006.
Penrith and Brisbane are not only five-star teams, but also teams stacked with five-star performers. When it comes down to it though, who are the best of the best, and who would make a dream team selected from these two great Grand Final squads?
Reece Walsh. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
What a choice. Do you go with the irresistible attacking brilliance of Reece Walsh or the all-round dependable skills of Clive Churchill Medal winner Dylan Edwards? For once I’m going to throw off the conservative shackles and go for the excitement machine in Reece Walsh.
A somewhat easier choice here as Brian To’o and Selwyn Cobbo are two of the best wingers in the game and are streets ahead of both Jesse Arthurs and Sunia Turuva. To’o is a beast, and apart from just about topping the running metres every time he takes the field, he’s crossed for 16 tries in his last 11 games and will be the first player picked for Samoa at year end. While not as prolific as To’o, Selwyn Cobbo is a powerful performer with speed to burn and great aerial skills, and is probably now just one game away from wearing the green and gold.
The only player not in contention here is Penrith’s Izack Tago, but I’m sure his day will come. The rest in Stephen Crichton, Kotoni Staggs and Herbie Farnworth are all top-notch, but surely Crichton is the best of the lot. Not only is he a weapon in attack, but the best defensive centre in the game. Farnworth isn’t as flashy as his teammate Staggs but is a very tough competitor and will get the nod to partner Crichton.
Stephen Crichton. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
It’s a pretty obvious choice here as Jarome Luai has all the experience, success, niggle and swagger you could ever ask for. Ezra Mam is a talent, but by comparison, is still just learning the ropes.
Once upon a time Adam Reynolds could be seen as “master” to Nathan Cleary’s “apprentice” but those days are long gone, and the Penrith captain is now the best half back in the game by quite a margin.
Now we’re talking, and what a lineup to choose from, with Penrith and the Broncos boasting some of the best front rowers in the game – but there’s none better than Brisbane’s Payne Haas and Penrith’s James Fisher-Harris, and while they take the run-on spots, not much will be lost when it comes to the front row rotation.
Brisbane’s Billy Walters and Penrith’s Mitch Kenny looked to be unlikely grand finalists this time last year but they’ve both been integral to their team’s success this year. Kenny just shades Walters for mine and has a better all-round game than his rapidly improving opponent.
Liam Martin is a human missile and is deservedly the first second rower picked, but the other back row spot is not so simple. Do you go with the experience and high work rate of either Kurt Capewell and Scott Sorensen, or the raw power of youngster Jordan Riki? Riki’s line-breaking ability and hard-hitting defence wins the day for me, so Capewell and Sorensen will have to hope for a spot on the bench.
Jordan Riki. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
We’re going to end up with a blistering pack of forwards, and even though Isaah Yeo gets the nod in the 13 jumper because of his combination with Cleary, Patrick Carrigan will be in the team as well.
I’m looking for a balanced bench, and this is my thinking.
– Billy Walters. An obvious choice as he can cover both dummy half and play in the halves if necessary and could release Mitch Kenny to play a running forward role if required.
– Moses Leota. A feared competitor who will maintain the go-forward when, and if, the coach can convince either Payne Haas or James Fisher-Harris to have a breather.
– Patrick Carrigan. An alpha competitor and one of the best in the business who can play up front, on an edge or even a ball-playing role if required.
– Kurt Capewell. A smart, experienced, and hard-working player who loves the big games and can cover both back row and centre.
Here’s how they line up:
1. Reece Walsh (Broncos)
2. Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos)
3. Stephen Crichton (Panthers)
4. Herbie Farnworth (Broncos)
5. Brian To’o (Panthers)
6. Jarome Luai (Panthers)
7. Nathan Cleary (Panthers)
8. Payne Haas (Broncos)
9. Mitch Kenny (Panthers)
10. James Fisher-Harris (Panthers)
11. Liam Martin (Panthers)
12. Jordan Riki (Broncos)
13. Isaah Yeo (Panthers)
14. Billy Walters (Broncos)
15. Moses Leota (Panthers)
16. Patrick Carrigan (Broncos)
17. Kurt Capewell (Broncos)
What a side!
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