The 2024 NRL grand final is shaping up to be one of the most significant in a long while.
Melbourne and Penrith have been the competition's two best team all year, and now they meet in the ultimate decider; the Panthers have won three straight titles, but they lost to the Storm in 2020.
Ahead of their grand final rematch, Penrith's star has praised his opposing halfback, and detailed what the team needs to do to keep him quiet.
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Cleary praises Hughes ahead of grand final grudge match
Grand final match-ups don't get more enticing than Nathan Cleary vs Jahrome Luai, the reigning Clive Churchill Medal winner against the likely Dally M Medal winner.
Speaking before the game, Cleary said that he has a lot of respect for the way Hughes has performed this season.
"He's been a pleasure to watch all year, he's been on fire... he's been the best player this year for sure," he said.
"He's definitely the best running halfback I've just about ever seen. The way he takes on the line, he's constantly a threat.
"I think he's added a lot of other stuff to his game as well just in terms of game management and ball playing.
"I have a lot of admiration watching other halves that are really killing it and try to pick their game apart and add it to mine.
"He's a great player. I have a lot of admiration watching other halves that are really killing it and try to pick their game apart and add it to mine."
Cleary will take on Hughes in the 2024 NRL grand final this Sunday, as Penrith fight for a fourth-straight premiership.
