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NRL great Cooper Cronk has boldly claimed that Penrith would not have won the 2023 NRL Grand Final had Jarome Luai remained on the field.
Luai re-injured his shoulder and came from the field for the final half-hour. The Panthers were 16 points down with 25 minutes to play before Nathan Cleary sparked a stunning comeback with two assists and a last-gasp winning try.
But Cronk believes that Jack Cogger’s introduction as Luai’s replacement was vital in igniting their fightback to win 26-24, telling the Matty Johns Podcast that Cogger unleashed Cleary’s running game.
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“This might sound crazy to say but if Jarome Luai stays on the field, Brisbane win,” Cronk said.
“Jack Cogger comes onto the field and creates space for Cleary to become a ball runner and a line-breaker… it was crucial.”
He added: “Go back and watch the Leota try – Cogger’s ball-playing is so good that it creates space for Cleary to go through on the outside of (Kurt) Capewell. And again for the (Stephen) Crichton try – you watch the nuance that Cogger does with his footwork and his eyes. He looks in, plays out and goes straight, and creates enough space for Nathan to get the ball out.”
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Brisbane’s defence stifled the Penrith attack for the first hour of the decider, with Johns saying the Panthers were too “pass-centric” with Cleary largely playing a halfback role.
Cogger then took over at first receiver, providing Cleary with more space – and the opportunity to run at the line more regularly.
It is a point that Cleary himself made in the post-game press conference, crediting Cogger for being a “big part” of Penrith’s fightback.
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“He unlocked me when he came on,” Cleary said.
“He was communicating well and he was getting me to see things and play footy. We were just sort of following each other around. He was a big part of it.
“Once Romey and Yeoy went off it felt like a free shot. We just had nothing to lose and that’s why I give credit to Cogs. He came on with that mentality and helped bring me into the game. He unlocked me.”
Matty Johns, meanwhile, said on SEN Radio earlier this year that Cogger was the “unsung hero” of the grand final.
“When he came on the field he was one of the main reasons they (Penrith) ran them (Brisbane) down, he sort of freed Nathan up to pick and choose what he wanted to do,” Johns said.
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