Tonight will be a fascinating battle of tactics. Clearly the Eels have shown they have the game to upset the Penrith machine. They have already beaten them twice this year, but three weeks ago they fell short in the qualifying final.
I’m fascinated to see how far coach Brad Arthur will push the envelope with pressure on Nathan Cleary. They couldn’t lay a glove on him at the BlueBet Stadium to start the final and they paid the price. That won’t work tonight. Expect Nathan Brown, in particular, to be instructed from the bench to harass the game’s best player.
The battle I’m most looking forward to is Penrith’s Viliame Kikau on the left edge against Isaiah Papali’i on the Eels’ right. It’s a heavyweight clash and one that could have a big influence on the outcome.
I don’t expect too much expansive play from the Panthers in the first 20 minutes, but suspect the Eels will need to get a couple of trick shots to disrupt Ivan Cleary’s side. Do they have it in?
Penrith Panthers back rower Viliame Kikau. Credits: Wolter Peeters