Veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield has predicted Nathan Cleary will develop into a rugby league Immortal after a 20-minute masterclass to encourage his facet’s victory over the Broncos.
Penrith trailed 24-8 after 58 minutes earlier than Clive Churchill Medal winner Cleary arrange a strive, kicked a 40/20 and scored to report the best ever grand last comeback win.
Immortal standing is reserved for the sport’s greats and is the “greatest honour a player can receive” with figures like Andrew Johns, Clive Churchill and Norm Provan all handed the title.
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But for Rothfield, Cleary will be a part of the elite listing of rugby league’s 13 finest gamers as soon as his profession involves an finish.
“What I originally said was that he needs to be in the conversation with Andrew Johns and Johnathan Thurston as the best halfback of the modern era,” Rothfield mentioned on NRL360.
“I think after last night… and I’m not being a smartarse, Joey said himself he’s never seen a halfback perform like that.
“I’m saying he has got to be in the conversation for being as good as Joey.
“I have made that call and I stand by it… I think he will be an Immortal.”
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Meanwhile, league legend Braith Anasta and reporter Brent Read questioned Cleary’s potential Immortal standing.
They pointed to the Panthers gun’s Origin report, failing to totally dominate within the state vs state showcase.
“I call him a great now, I think he needs to own Origin, but after last night I have got him in the great status, definitely in the great status,” Anasta mentioned.
“He can’t be an Immortal now, he’s 25-years old, his next two years could be bludgers and then is he still an Immortal?” Read requested.
“By your criteria, Sterlo (Peter Sterling) should be an Immortal, he won three grand finals in a row.”
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“I’ve never seen Peter Sterling do what Nathan Cleary did last night, I know he won a lot of games, but I’ve never seen anything like last night,” Rothfield responded.
For Read, Cleary isn’t presently deserving of Immortal standing, however can obtain the feat if he continues on his present trajectory.
As it stands, the gun halfback has three premierships, two Clive Churchill Medals and three Origin collection victories underneath his belt.
League legend Gorden Tallis, who has additionally gained three premierships, echoed Read’s opinion.
“I’m not disputing he’s a great player and by the end of his career he probably will be in the conversation, but you can’t say now he will be an Immortal,” Read mentioned.
“If he plays at this level for the next 10 years he will probably go down as the greatest player ever,” Tallis added.
“But right now you want us to vote? I can’t.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
