Nathan Cleary analyses how Dylan Brown signing at Newcastle Knights can unlock lethal strike force with Kalyn Ponga

The NRL’s best player has weighed in on the NRL’s most expensive deal ever, with Nathan Cleary believing Dylan Brown’s Knights move can unlock one of the game’s most lethal strike forces with Kalyn Ponga.

The NRL’s best player, Nathan Cleary, has backed Dylan Brown to thrive at halfback and form a lethal strike force with Kalyn Ponga at Newcastle after agreeing to the richest deal in rugby league history.

Penrith halfback superstar Cleary believes Brown’s move to the Knights is a masterstroke and will be great for fullback Ponga.

“One thing about his game that I really like is how square he plays. I think that will just open up so much room for Kalyn out the back, and I think him and Kalyn could really form a dynamic duo, and a really dangerous duo to come up against,” Cleary said.

“Him and Ponga are both very strong, both fast.”

Just hours after revealing the record-breaking $13 million deal, Cleary said it was “no surprise” Brown agreed to the 10-year-deal.

“I think it’s pretty hard to turn a deal down like that. It sets him and his future family up for life,” Cleary told 100% Footy.

Nathan Cleary has backed Dylan Brown to thrive at Newcastle. Picture: NRL Photos

Dylan Brown has signed the richest deal in NRL history with Newcastle. Picture: NRL Photos

Brown’s club swap is expected come with a positional change, with the Kiwi international to move from five-eighth to halfback with Fletcher Sharpe expected to be at No.6.

While some have been critical of Brown’s ability to control a team, the four-time premiership winner Cleary believes the Eels five-eighth’s running game is the most important attribute to his new team.

Cleary believes the Brown signing can be the start of a dynamic duo with Kalyn Ponga. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“(Running) has to be your first line of thought,” Cleary said.

“Especially in big games, you sort of loose half the team in those back and forward games because everyone is so tired and fatigued.

“The runs become much more explosive, you’re going up against tired forwards so the fast guys, the smaller guys come into the game.”

Originally published as Nathan Cleary analyses how Dylan Brown signing at Newcastle Knights can unlock lethal strike force with Kalyn Ponga