The stat: <\/b>23. Brisbane\u2019s offload tally against the Warriors. Kevin Walters<\/strong> was foxing afterwards when he claimed the Broncos are not \u201ca team known for doing that\u201d. Brisbane\u2019s 10.9 offloads a game are the third most of any side in 2023.<\/p>\n Payne Haas on the charge against the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n Still, they doubled their second-phase play to unpick a strong Warriors defence \u2013 the same blueprint Parramatta have used to good effect in recent years against the Panthers. All seven of the Broncos\u2019 preliminary final tries featured an offload leading up to points but the true key was their 82-per-cent completion rate. Not many teams can give the ball air while hanging onto it.<\/p>\n The main man: <\/b>Reece Walsh<\/strong>. On both sides of the ball, the No.1 is numero uno. For Brisbane, his speed and injection both around the ruck and on the edge is the biggest point of difference, especially given Izack Tago\u2019s<\/strong> pec issue seemed to limit him when Justin Olam<\/strong> breezed through for one of Melbourne\u2019s few moments of joy last Friday.<\/p>\n Walsh favours a swing to the right more often than not, but Herbie Farnworth<\/strong> and Ezra Mam<\/strong> are no strangers to Walsh\u2019s incisions on the left either.<\/p>\n For Penrith, sliding or rushing on Walsh will be the balance their five-star defence has to strike whenever Brisbane push past their own 40-metre line. Walsh\u2019s own kick defence held up under Cleary\u2019s examination in Origin. But Penrith are their own beast again, and Cleary will have noted Walsh defends in Brisbane\u2019s line more than most fullbacks, and punt accordingly.<\/p>\n The breakdown: <\/b>For all the deserved focus on Payne Haas<\/strong> and Patrick Carrigan<\/strong> as two of the game\u2019s best middle forwards, nowhere near enough credit is given to James Fisher-Harris<\/strong> and Moses Leota<\/strong> for their opening 20 minutes in last year\u2019s grand final.<\/p>\n Parramatta pair Junior Paulo<\/strong> and Reagan Campbell-Gillard<\/strong> came into that contest in career-best form. Leota and Fisher-Harris bashed them, before Isaah Yeo <\/strong>marshalled Penrith\u2019s middle third superbly.<\/p>\n If Brisbane are getting driven backwards, look for Adam Reynolds to swing wide early in the tackle count. Farnworth and Kotoni Staggs<\/strong> have been strong in exactly that situation all year, and Walsh\u2019s speed can give them time and space anywhere on the paddock. Expect Jarome Luai\u2019s<\/strong> shoulder to go under the microscope again opposite Staggs.<\/p>\n Penrith have their own edge strike weapons in Stephen Crichton <\/strong>and Liam Martin<\/strong>, whose running off Cleary is among the best in the NRL.<\/p>\n Both Reynolds and Cleary have the kicking nous to turn a contest around if they\u2019re pinned in their own end. And if defences rush outside-in, they\u2019ve also perfected crossfield kicks for Selwyn Cobbo <\/strong>and Brian To\u2019o <\/strong> respectively.<\/p>\n Penrith hold the advantage though at the start of sets with Dylan Edwards<\/strong>, Sunia Turuva <\/strong>and To\u2019o. Brisbane have the fitness and athleticism to go with Penrith, even if the premiers have more impact off the bench and Spencer Leniu\u2019s <\/b>leg speed.<\/p>\n Jack Cogger\u2019s <\/b>likely retention as cover for Luai <\/b>does effectively leave them playing with 16 men, however.<\/p>\n If the Broncos come with something different, and that something different \u2013 be it offloads, early shifts or scrum moves \u2013 sticks, it\u2019s down to the individual game breakers.<\/p>\n Walsh, Cleary, Edwards, Reynolds, Staggs, Crichton \u2026 take your pick.<\/p>\n Or just sit back and enjoy.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Everything you need to know about the 2023 NRL grand final<\/h3>\n
When does it start?<\/h3>\n