- Cooper Cronk destroyed Panther lynchpin Jarome Luai
- Luai left last year’s grand final with a shoulder injury
- Was replaced by Jack Cogger during the comeback win
Footy legend Cooper Cronk made the incredible claim that Penrith would not have won last year’s NRL grand final if Jarome Luai had stayed on the field in the second half.
Kevin Walters’ Broncos looked likely winners at 24-8 after an Ezra Mam hat-trick, before Nathan Cleary produced an individual masterclass to lead the Panthers to an epic 26-24 win.
Cleary provided two assists – for Moses Leota and Stephen Crichton – and then scored the match-winning try himself with three minutes remaining to clinch a third successive title.
According to Cronk, Ivan Cleary’s men would have tasted defeat had Luai not aggravated his injured shoulder and been forced off.
The four-time premiership-winning halfback also pointed to the calming influence of Jack Cogger in the half when he replaced Luai.
Footy legend Cooper Cronk has attracted attention after suggesting Penrith would not have won last year’s NRL grand final if Jarome Luai had stayed on the field in the second half
Luai went off injured early, and Cronk believes that’s when Penrith’s fortunes changed
Nathan Cleary sparked a comeback for the ages, with Jack Cogger playing an important role in Cooper Cronk’s eyes
“This may sound crazy to say, but if Jarome Luai stays on the field, Brisbane wins,” Cronk told the Matty Johns podcast.
‘Jack Cogger comes on the pitch (in the second half) and creates space for Cleary to become a ball runner and a line breaker… it was crucial.’
To emphasize his point, Cronk pointed to Leota’s try in the 62nd minute, which gave his team a fighting chance at 24-14.
“Go back and watch the Leota try – Cogger’s ball play is so good it creates space for Cleary to go through on the outside of (Kurt) Capewell,” he said.
“And again, for the Crichton try, notice the nuance Cogger brings with his footwork and his eyes. He looks inside, plays out and goes straight, creating enough space for Nathan to get the ball out.”
Johns was on the same page, stating that he believed the Panthers were too ‘pass-centric’ and that the halves – Luai and Cleary – were not on pace.
When Cogger entered the fray, he was the first receiver, allowing Cleary to play footy straight away.
Cogger is now on the Knights’ books, while Luai is in his final season at Penrith before joining the Wests Tigers in 2025.