NRL 2023: Daly Cherry-Evans’ four-point blueprint for Broncos grand final boilover
He has orchestrated a series of boilovers over Nathan Cleary’s NSW Blues. Now Daly Cherry-Evans unveils Brisbane’s blueprint to produce a grand final upset against Penrith.
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He is the Queensland Origin skipper who has orchestrated a series of boilovers over Nathan Cleary’s NSW Blues.
Now Maroons maestro Daly Cherry-Evans believes the Broncos have the strike weapons to deny Cleary’s Panthers a hat-trick of premierships in Sunday night’s NRL grand final.
On the eve of the NRL decider, Cherry-Evans - one of the code’s sharpest minds - has given an insight into how to beat the Panthers, and why Brisbane have the artillery to snap their 17-year title drought at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
Cherry-Evans has defied the odds to win three Origin series over the Blues and the Queensland champion has identified a four-point plan for Brisbane to turn the screws on halfback Cleary and the champion Penrith side.
MENTAL TOUGHNESS
Cherry-Evans says Brisbane’s disastrous 2022 finish to miss the finals has made them a hungrier unit. He believes Kevin Walters’ troops have the desire to break Penrith’s spirit.
“The Broncos can win this grand final, 100 per cent,” the Maroons skipper said.
“As a team they have found out what works and doesn’t work for them.
“I believe they learnt some tough lessons last year and it’s really steeled them for this year’s run.
“Their best footy will be hard to beat.
“The key is performing under pressure. Once game time comes, the Broncos have to perform. You can have the best season ever, but if you don’t perform on game day, it’s all for nothing.
“This game defines their season.”
FIREPOWER
Cherry-Evans is adamant the Broncos are one of the few teams in the league with the ammunition to fight fire with fire with Penrith’s weapons of mass destruction.
The 305-game NRL veteran says Brisbane are arguably the best balanced side in the NRL. Superstar Broncos prop Payne Haas has the power to outmuscle James Fisher-Harris up front and if he does that, Cherry-Evans believes the likes of Kotoni Staggs, Herbie Farnworth, Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam can break down the Penrith machine.
“They can win it because of their balance,” he said.
“Their middles (Haas, Tom Flegler and Pat Carrigan) are fantastic, they have an extremely experienced half in Reynolds who knows the game really well and their strike out wide is electric.
“As a footy side, if them Broncos don’t get you on the edges, then they are coming through the middle.
“They are very dangerous.”
HANDLING PRESSURE
Cherry-Evans is adamant too many sides are beaten at the starting blocks by Penrith. But ‘DCE’ believes Brisbane will not crack psychologically because of their big-game experience. Skipper Reynolds and deputy Kurt Capewell have won premierships, while Haas, Staggs, Flegler and Carrigan have tasted Origin and Test football.
But Cherry-Evans says playing an 80 per cent capacity won’t be enough.
“They have the strike to beat Penrith, but they have to produce their best footy,” he said.
“Penrith are not a team you can play, maybe give 50 or 70 per cent of your best, and expect to beat them.
“They are too well drilled and they will take advantage of you if you off your game.
“But Brisbane’s best is enough.”
REECE LIGHTNING
Cherry-Evans played with Reece Walsh at Origin level this year and says the Broncos fullback sensation’s speed can rip Penrith apart.
“It’s never one thing that makes the best players the best players. It’s a combination and what Reece has, he is extremely quick and he has a great passing game,” he said.
“The big thing about Reece is he is competitive.
“With that, he is always in the game. He wants to be in the game. And when you possess so many strengths like Reece, the more that he is in the game and the more he touches the ball, the better the Broncos are.
“He loves the contest. That reflects in his toughness. For someone of his size, he doesn’t get deterred when someone roughs him up. If Penrith try that, it will only fire up Reece.”
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