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?
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.
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.
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!
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Yep. He has a year left on a contract, but think a few other players may now be in front of him in the pecking order.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I saw a few reserve grade games last year (2022) including the Panthers v Bulldogs NSW Cup grand final. Luke was unreal and I was expecting big things from him this year His running game is great, but teams seemed to work him out pretty quickly. His passing game is awful
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Smoothy had already played at Penrith, before the Broncos signed him. You’re right though, Luke has unfortunately been a bit of a disappointment in 2023. Sommerton looks to have a good future in the game , after starting as a bit of a veteran rookie.
Tony
Roar Guru
Perfect!
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
You have not selected a water bottle runner. Is it Alf Langers for his ability to set the defenders , or Pete Green for his perfectly timed stoppage for fake injury during an attacking raid ?
jammel
Roar Rookie
for sure!! Better than Easts/Souths/Cows/Eels this season imho :) I rate that 17.
jammel
Roar Rookie
Yeah for mine: - Carrigan over Yeo - Mam over Luai Otherwise, Harry Grant would be in at #9, no question about it. Strong side otherwise! :) This GF has all the hallmarks of an epic. The only concern is the weather - 36+ degrees could hinder an end-to-end 10-8 with epic defence!
Bill
Roar Rookie
Least the fans had something other than the refs to whinge about this week eh :stoked:
Horses for Courses
Roar Rookie
Ok, we'll do it your way. Move the Dally Ms to after the GF, whichever team wins gets DM Coach, Captain, Medal and the whole team in. Hey why don't we just cancel the Dally Ms and mail out some certificates. Anyone who made any great contribution to season can go to hell because if you didn't win you're a loser.
The Barry
Roar Guru
That’s fine if the coach lifts the team and they stay up… when they pogo up and down the ladder the COTY decisions start to look a bit crook
Tony
Roar Guru
Mam is certainly a great defender and has a very big future
Phil
Roar Rookie
That's one hell of a team and so is TB's. Either could play for Australia and win. To choose between Farnworth and Staggs would be hard but I feel you chose the right one. The one change for me would be Mam in for Luai. I like the way Mam plays more like an old time 5/8 being a "pivot" as they were called, linking up with the backline, whereas Luai is more the flashy type of player with his big sidestep. I also like the way Mam times some of his tackles, absolute precision. Apart from that no debate.
Nat
Roar Guru
They might place a bigger emphasis on team development over management. O wonder of the voting panel changes and how often?
Tony
Roar Guru
I'm with you. The coach of the year is the one whos' team wins.
Tony
Roar Guru
With change left over
souvalis
Roar Rookie
So the criteria for coach of the year one year you finish near the bottom for whatever reason but the next year figure out what was failed in and rectify. True masterminds of winning sides Cleary, Belly, Robbo and now Kevvie are automatically out of the running for next year. Ciraldo, Benji, Seibs and Dessie have far greater chances to be deemed better.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Looks like a team only Nick Politis could afford next year ! :silly:
Tony
Roar Guru
Yes...that's the word I was looking for :happy:
Nat
Roar Guru
Are the Titans girls included?
Albo
Roar Rookie
Hey Nat, You might change that selection after 20 minutes of the Grand Final on Sunday ! :silly: