Nathan Cleary vs. Jahrome Hughes video analysis: Inside the match-up that will decide the NRL grand final

It’s rugby league’s version of the Thrilla in Manila, only substitute two halfbacks in their prime for Ali and Frazier. BRENT READ analyses the match-up that will decide the NRL grand final.

Jahrome Hughes has been the best player in the NRL this season. Win a Dally M Medal and grand final in the space of a few days and Hughes can justifiably lay claim to being the best player in the game, full stop.

Hughes’ battle with Nathan Cleary on Sunday night at Accor Stadium is set to be one of the most intriguing subplots to a grand final that has the purists licking their leaps in anticipation.

This is rugby league nirvana. The best team of the past four years against the best team of the past decade or so. It’s rugby league’s version of the Thrilla in Manila, only substitute Hughes and Cleary in their prime for Ali and Frazier.

Cleary has three trophies on his mantelpiece and a well-earned reputation as rugby league’s biggest star, but injury this season has coincided with Hughes hitting a purple patch in his career that has rightly ignited debate over just who is the best.

Once a fullback, Hughes has strung together a series of performances that has fuelled debate and he can mount a compelling argument with another standout performance against Cleary on Sunday night.

Remarkably, the Melbourne and New Zealand half has pieced together his stunning season despite battling a neck injury in recent weeks that has made it painful to sleep, let alone play rugby league.

At halftime in the club’s preliminary final win over the Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park, coach Craig Bellamy revealed that consideration was given to Hughes staying in the dressing sheds.

Hughes insists his return for the second half was never in doubt and despite the neck issues, he added to his catalogue of brilliant performances with a stunning 40 minutes that booked the Storm a place in the grand final.

Clearly did likewise for the Panthers on Saturday night and the two halfbacks will carry their sides’ hopes into Sunday night’s decider at Accor Stadium, albeit with both carrying injuries.

Cleary’s shoulder is hanging by a thread but he and Hughes have shown themselves to be not only among the classiest players in the competition, but also among the toughest.

“Penrith have been there before and they have done it before the last couple of years,” Hughes said.

“They have been a great club. It is going to be tough. We have to prepare for that. I feel like finals is a whole new game and anyone can beat anyone on the day.”

Hughes has played 22 games this season and made 21 line breaks. He has chimed in with 31 try assists - second best in the NRL behind Ben Hunt - and 27 line break assists.

Cleary has only managed 12 games but has 18 try assists and 12 line break assists to his name. Statistics only tell part of the story. Both produced inspirational performances in their respective preliminary finals to book a place in the grand final.

Cleary was too good for the Sharks and Melbourne’s focus will be largely on reducing his impact on Sunday night.

The showdown the will decide the 2024 NRL grand final.

The Panthers will attempt to do likewise to Hughes, who scored a hat-trick against the Sydney Roosters as the Storm spine - Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cameron Munster, Hughes and Harry Grant - toyed with their opposition.

The challenge for Penrith won’t just be stopping Hughes because if they focus too much energy on the No.7, they risk being pulled apart by Papenhuyzen, Munster or Grant. Maybe all three given the way they have combined in recent weeks. They were too hot for the Roosters to handle.

“We have been training together for a few years now,” Papenhuyzen said.

“We catch up regularly during the week about what our roles are and how we want to attack the game.

“We have plenty of meetings …. but we will catch up separately outside that to talk about things we might face this week.”

In Cleary, they are facing the best player in the game, although Hughes may well have something to say about that.