Matthew Johns: Massive gulf in class exists between clubs but NRL finals will mask the divide

There’s never been a bigger gulf between the NRL’s best sides and the rest of the competition, but with that comes a silver lining, MATTHEW JOHNS writes.

The Storm remain favourites to win back-to-back premierships. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

I have never seen such a disparity between the top clubs and the rest. It’s a major concern when ‘the rest’ is more than half the competition.

How that gap closes anytime in the near future, I really don’t know.

But there’s a memorable finish coming to season 2021.

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In the first third of the year it was a case of Melbourne and Penrith first, and then daylight, which didn’t lend itself to an exciting season, even though some of the attacking football was.

As we came out of the Origin period, there was even greater concern.

The Storm have been a dominant force this season. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Melbourne were rampaging through opposition teams week in, week out, while Penrith were suddenly smashed by injuries to key men, the most concerning, their centrepiece Nathan Cleary.

Suddenly, it’s Melbourne and then daylight, followed by even more daylight. But that has changed. I see a genuine blanket finish.

Let’s run through the teams who will appear in shot when the judge calls for the photo. Let’s start with the two teams who will play in Friday night’s blockbuster, South Sydney and Penrith.

RABBITOHS

On the racing theme, you often hear the NRL season compared to the Melbourne Cup. Not so much comparing it to the 3200m race itself, but the length of the preparation and ensuring the horse peaks on race day.

It’s no different to a rugby league player or team.

You so often see inexperienced coaching and conditioning staff, so anxious for their team to get off to a good start, that they’re done by July.

When Wayne Bennett senses he has a title-winning team, he controls the brakes and accelerator beautifully.

No surprises, the Bunnies are peaking and still look to have another gear yet.

Master coach Wayne Bennett is timing the Rabbitohs’ run to perfection.

Attack is easy for Souths, they have some of the game’s most naturally gifted footballers.

I’ve been really impressed with Tom Burgess; his size, power and, critically, his late footwork has him punching through the line with almost every run.

And then there’s Cam Murray; lighter, faster but, again, late footwork, which makes his play-the-balls so good to play behind.

And what comes behind is Damien Cook, Adam Reynolds and the best attacking combo in the comp at the moment — Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell.

They tell me Latrell is training the house down, looking to enter the finals in even better condition than he did the Origin series.

But the best example of Souths being finals-ready is how their defence has become more aggressive and able to absorb pressure.

Friday night is a massive test. In the early part of the season, Penrith carved up Souths with a huge score. If the Bunnies can keep the Panthers’ attack under control, then I’d be starting to get excited if I was in the ‘Burrow’.

PANTHERS

Souths and Penrith are locked into the top four and the likelihood is they will play each other in week one of the finals. So Friday night is all about building belief and crushing the opposition.

Penrith were revving high right up to the State of Origin series, where injuries pulled them back. I actually think it’s done them a favour. You can’t play the high-energy football Penrith do and not suffer a dip.

As long as Nathan Cleary’s shoulder holds up, the injury-enforced dip has let key men freshen and should result in the Panthers starting to peak in the next few matches.

Cleary’s absence was felt, but it forced other men forward. Jarome Luai was compelled to be chief playmaker and Matt Burton has gone from being a very good player to a genuine star.

Cleary’s return means everyone returns to their usual roles … better.

Watch for the three-man combination of Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Luai on Friday night. When they get into the groove, Penrith’s attack explodes.

I believe by the time the finals arrive, the Panthers will be equal favourites with Melbourne.

Nathan Cleary is back after a shoulder injury. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

STORM

The Storm couldn’t have maintained their early and mid-season form and energy right through to holding the trophy, they had to have a little dip and in the last month they have.

There are a few factors why. One is the ease with which they had been winning their matches, which allowed a wee bit of carelessness to infect their attack.

The other is the rejigging in recent weeks. The return of Harry Grant and, particularly, Ryan Papenhuyzen has meant Melbourne have had to tinker with a few aspects of their game, and maybe experiment a little as well.

But the Storm have also been locked into a top-four finish for quite a while, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they have been using this period to do a tough month of training before lightening the load from here to October.

The Storm take on the Titans on Thursday night and I’m expecting a big lift in their defensive energy and less sideways ball movement in attack. Far more discipline keeping the Titans to six points or fewer.

Storm hooker Harry Grant adds an extra dimension to Melbourne’s attack. Picture: NRL Photos

SEA EAGLES

The rare brilliance of Tom Trbojevic is masking one of the cornerstones of their current performances, defence.

Last Saturday night, Manly dominated Parramatta with relentless defensive energy. Kick early, chase hard, attack them outside-in. Parramatta were suffocated into errors.

Tom’s named but will he play?

If Manly can manoeuvre into a top-four spot while resting Tom in the next two weeks, I like them more than I do right now, and right now I like them a lot more than the $9 the bookies are offering.

The pack has been outstanding, all individuals have improved dramatically.

Josh Schuster gives the team variation and threat outside of the halves and Tom.

Also, off the bench, I think Karl Lawton is a terrific young player. He’s a bit like Cameron Murray. He doesn’t have Murray’s speed, but his footwork and football intelligence are invaluable. The coach knows what it takes.

The Sea Eagles are making a late dash for a spot in the top four. Picture: Glenn Hunt/Getty Images

ROOSTERS

Can they win the comp? Well, of course they can, they are on course to finish fourth.

Will they? I highly doubt it.

I’ve included the Roosters, because out of respect they deserve to be included.

What they have endured injury-wise is almost unprecedented but they are still throwing punches, when almost all other teams would be put out of their misery by throwing in the white towel.

The way the players have lifted, and others found great improvement, is a credit to coach Trent Robinson and the club.

With stars returning and players such as Sam Walker and Joseph Suaalii having first-year experience and a second off-season preparation, they will start 2022 as one of the favourites.