A month ago, Ivan Cleary made a significant shake-up to one of the best defences ever seen in rugby league, all with an eye to putting the shackles on Brisbane’s livewire fullback on Sunday.
In the week before the 2021 grand final, then Panthers assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo sat down his Penrith players and rolled tape on South Sydney’s Cody Walker.
“I was in the right position at the right time,” Crichton said after snatching an intercept from Walker which won Penrith the 2021 title, the first of what could be a historic three-peat by the end of this weekend. “I was in a position to try and make a tackle, I guess, but just watching the ball. I ran off with it and scored.”
But it’s easy to understand why the Panthers have been mulling this plan for a while: put their best defensive back on the same side of the field Brisbane superstar Reece Walsh likes to attack, with an eye to the grand final. In his only game against the Panthers this year , the 21-year-old kicked over the top of Penrith’s encroaching defence to set up Brisbane’s only try of the game through Cobbo.Eighth Immortal Andrew Johns argued the key to limiting Walsh is to first stop Brisbane’s big men through the middle, Payne Haas and Tom Flegler, who fight desperately for a quick play-the-ball to give Adam Reynolds and Walsh more time.
“Reece probably chooses the wrong option [for the intercept], but he keeps going back and hits the right option the next five times,” Penrith lock Isaah Yeo said.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
R rating: Grand final to feature Reece and Romy TVThe interest in the rivalry between Brisbane’s Reece Walsh and Penrith’s Jarome Luai has prompted Nine to allocate TV cameras to follow their every move on Sunday.
Read more »
NRL Grand Final 2023: Reece Walsh, how Brisbane Broncos let him go and got him back again, Warriors stintThe one that got away ... and came back: How Broncos won after ‘shocking’ Walsh gaffe
Read more »
Walsh has ‘rare trait’ that might bag him Clive Churchill Medal: Broncos champKarmichael Hunt is adamant the injection of Reece Walsh in his old jersey poses the greatest test to defending premiers Penrith.
Read more »
Broncos stars overcome injury as Panthers make backrow call — NRL Grand Final teamsBroncos stars overcome injury as Panthers make backrow call — NRL Grand Final teams
Read more »
‘It’s a penalty’: Refs accused of ignoring Panthers tactic that creates Cleary protection racket‘It’s a penalty’: Refs accused of ignoring ‘illegal’ Panthers tactic protecting Cleary
Read more »
Panthers No. 6 Luai bracing for impact as Broncos tipped to target injured star‘Put pressure on him’: Panther bracing for impact as Broncos tipped to target injured star
Read more »