If Cleary kicks on he could be the best weve ever seen
Over the past 20 years, there have been many comparisons between Johnathan Thurston and me.
If Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary continues on his current trajectory, “JT†and I are fighting it out for silver and bronze.
His performance against Souths was a masterclass. It showed to me that, after just two matches back from his shoulder injury, he’s ready to own the finals series.
When I first came into grade in the early 1990s, the coaches at the Knights drilled into me the importance of kicking your team to victory. For hours, we’d examine video clips of Canberra great Ricky Stuart and how he turned the other team around with his perfect kicking game.
Cleary is starting to have similar control of matches.
Penrith were faced with a huge challenge against South Sydney last Friday night when they found themselves down 12-0 early in the match. Yet, Cleary kept them in the fight with his kicking game in the first half.
In the second half, he swung it in their favour by absolutely terrorising fullback Latrell Mitchell and winger Josh Mansour with his deadly “floating bombsâ€.
Nathan Cleary produced a masterclass against Souths on Friday night.Credit:Getty
Watch him closely the next time he does it. He hits them from halfway, wanting them to come down about 10 metres from the opposition try line.
He holds the ball flat, horizontal to the ground, kicking the belly of the ball right through the middle of his foot.
The key is he doesn’t follow through once he hits it. He stops on it, which makes the ball float through the air.
They’re hard enough to catch as it is, but what Cleary likes to do is kick the ball between the fullback and winger. This makes them especially hard to catch because, when they’re running towards the ball, their eyes are moving and flickering.
It’s even harder if the ball moves away late, which these kicks also tend to do.
The big thing is both players are calling for the ball. It’s only natural they will take their eyes off it, looking to see where the other player is. Once they do that, you’ve got them.
Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic is a once-in-a-generation player. We can all see that already. I’ve said before he could be greatest to play our game.
But Nathan will be right there with him. He’s only 23 years old. He’s got a lot of football â€" and improvement â€" in him.
James Tedesco has been incredible for the Roosters this year in the face of a huge injury crisis.Credit:Getty
In a different leagueCleary’s performance was one of several eye-catching displays from the game’s leading players last week. The big names really stood up.
Cameron Munster, James Tedesco and Daly Cherry-Evans all put in performances that indicate the finals are just around the corner.
It’s only natural for big-game players to have a hangover from State of Origin football. The six weeks following the series is often a flat period for them.
I have no doubt someone like Munster gets bored. He needs pressure, intensity at training, the crowds, the match-ups against the best players. He needs big-time footy.
His running game in the second half last week against the Titans was superb. He relished the challenge.
Daly Cherry-Evans lands the match-winning field goal for Manly on Friday night. Credit:NRL Photos
Cherry-Evans got Manly home against Canberra â€" even if it was just by a point.
Then there’s Tedesco, who has been incredible for the Roosters this year in the face of a huge injury crisis that’s ripped out about 60 per cent of their salary cap in talent.
Against the Dragons, he ran for more than 200 metres in the first half. He’s playing fullback but also slots into five-eighth.
It’s testament to his competitiveness and professionalism that he’s kept the Roosters in the fight this season.
Damien Cook and the Rabbitohs come to terms with defeat against the Panthers.Credit:Getty Images
In defence of SouthsI’ve heard people knocking South Sydney after last week’s loss to Penrith, which really surprises me.
I’m even more convinced than ever they can win the premiership.
There’s been a knock on the Rabbitohs’ defence, but break down the game and you realise just how well they played.
Penrith’s two tries in the first half were from kicks. The penalty count was against Souths 11-2. In the second half, Penrith had 58 per cent of possession. Souths made 77 more tackles.
On top of that, Cleary’s kicking game was perfect: he kicked for more than 880 metres, which means they were constantly coming off their own try line in the second half.
The big turning point was the “downtown†penalty against forward Mark Nicholls. The following set, Penrith scored through winger Brent Naden. (Once again, could the Bunker please stay out of the play?)
Penrith didn’t score another try until Api Koroisau went over in the last minute.
So, Souths pretty much defended their line for 39 minutes 40 seconds, except for one try.
It speaks volumes for Souths’ defence and I expect them to bounce back against the Roosters on Friday night.
JOEY’S TIP: Souths by 12
FIRST TRY-SCORER: Alex Johnston
MAN OF THE MATCH: Cam Murray
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Andrew Johns is an Immortal, a Newcastle great and a commentator for Channel Nine
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