The kicking game of Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary is arguably the biggest talking point heading towards this grand final.
Four weeks ago he terrorised the Eels with a number of high bombs, three of which were dropped by Parramatta winger Waqa Blake.
Billy Slater says the Eels need to be putting defensive pressure on Cleary as he is kicking.
“You need to make sure that, firstly, you’re aware of when the last tackle is, and you go and get (Cleary), and you can put a little bit of pressure on him,” Slater told the Sunday Footy Show.
“And he’s going to get some of those kicks, no doubt, and it’s up to the back three of Parramatta to catch those balls. That’s their job.
“When they’re catchable, you’ve got to catch them.”
Fellow legend Brad Fittler believes referee Ashley Klein will play a big role in how Cleary is allowed to kick.
He says Queensland was allowed to pressure Cleary during this year’s Origin games, effectively nullifying his attack.
“The other part of that is the referee,” Fittler said.
“We saw in State of Origin (referee) Ashley Klein put the whistle away, and Nathan Cleary got put to ground quite often (after kicking).
“Does he take a State of Origin approach into this game – being the biggest game of the year – or does he come down hard on anyone taking down a kicker?
“It will be interesting how he rules on it.”
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