By Michael Chammas
Who makes up Nathan Cleary’s perfect NRL player?Credit: Marija Ercegovac
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Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary sat down with the Herald in grand final week to create his perfect NRL player.
The Panthers No.7 was asked to pick which player’s attribute he would most like, coming up with a combination of speed, strength, skill and courage to build the NRL’s ultimate player.
Explosive speed: Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos)
Brisbane Broncos fullback Reece Walsh.Credit: Marija Ercegovac
“Acceleration is a different kind of speed to long distance. Off the mark you can’t go past Reece Walsh. He’s so explosive.”
Long-distance speed: Tolutau Koula (Manly Sea Eagles)
Manly Sea Eagles centre and fullback Tolutau Koula.Credit: Marija Ercegovac
“I like Koula’s speed. He’s got the acceleration but he can hold it, too. He’s got a mad technique as well. He’s under-the-radar quick.”
Footwork: Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights)
Newcastle Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga.Credit: Marija Ercegovac
“Benji Marshall, Shaun Johnson and Kalyn Ponga are my favourites of all time. The way they move is incredible. But if we’re doing current players, and not all time, I’d say Ponga.”
Short-kicking game: Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Sea Eagles)
Manly Sea Eagles halfback Daly Cherry-Evans.Credit: Marija Ercegovac
“Adam Reynolds is pretty good. Romey (Jarome Luai) is good too. But I’ll have to go Cherry-Evans. He can do it off both feet and has been consistently doing it for a long time. He’s got a pretty deep bag of short kicks.”
Long-kicking game: Matt Burton (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Canterbury Bulldogs playmaker Matt Burton.Credit: Marija Ercegovac
“I’d love to kick a ball like ‘Burto’. He’s unbelievable. The height and power he gets is like no one else in the game.”
Vision: Cody Walker (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
South Sydney Rabbitohs playmaker Cody Walker.Credit: Marija Ercegovac
“I think Cody has the best vision in the game. He picks the right option more than anyone else in the competition. He always knows which player to hit at what moment.”
Tactical nous: Adam Reynolds (Brisbane Broncos)
Brisbane Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds.Credit: Marija Ercegovac
“Probably would have to say Adam Reynolds. He’s been doing it for such a long time, too. He’s a great game manager. Arguably the best in the competition.”
Passing game: Cody Walker (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
“For the same reasons I said before about his vision. He just has this ability to continually pick the right option. I’d say it’s Cody.”
Catching ability: Sunia Turuva (Penrith Panthers)
Penrith Panthers winger Sunia Turuva.Credit: Marija Ercegovac
“He’s one of the smallest wingers in the competition and they target him by kicking to him every single game. He just rarely makes mistakes. It’s impressive. He’s underrated.”
Heart: Mitch Kenny (Penrith Panthers)
Penrith Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny.Credit: Marija Ercegovac
“He’s just a dawg. He’s not very big but he’s always leading the line speed and putting his body on the line. I don’t think he gets enough credit for that.“
Fitness and stamina: Clint Gutherson (Parramatta Eels)
Parramatta Eels fullback Clint Gutherson.Credit: Marija Ercegovac
“It would be Dylan Edwards or ‘Gutho’. Playing against him, he’s just always there. He saves so many tries for them, just like ‘Dyl’ does for us. I’d love to see Dyl and Gutho have a fitness contest. That would be cool.”
Tackling: Jake Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles)
Manly Sea Eagles prop Jake Trbojevic.Credit: Marija Ercegovac
“Moses Leota is up there. But I reckon I’d go with Jake Trbojevic. Jake is the best because he hits hard but he’s also so efficient, too.”
Strength: Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
South Sydney Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell.Credit: Marija Ercegovac
“Trell is so hard to tackle. He’s fast, has the footwork and is strong. It’s a scary sight being on the opposite side of it.”
Communication: Dylan Edwards (Penrith Panthers)
Penrith Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards.Credit: Marija Ercegovac
“If we’re saying who is the best trash talker, I’d say Romey (Luai). But if it’s best communicator I’d have to go with Dyl (Edwards).”
Running power: Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)
Penrith Panthers winger Brian To’o.Credit: Marija Ercegovac
“It’s hard to go past ‘Bizza’ (Brian To’o). He’s just so hard to handle.”
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