Jahrome Hughes, Cameron Munster takes on Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin in NRL grand final battle for the ages

Jahrome Hughes (Melbourne) v Nathan Cleary (Penrith)

Hughes enters Sunday’s game fresh off a deserved Dally M medal win. The Storm halfback’s kicking has taken his game to a new level while his running threat is going to cause headaches for the Panthers all evening. Standing in his way is Cleary, whose campaign has been hampered by a shoulder injury he will carry into Sunday’s grand final. Even wounded, Melbourne will be wary of the No.7’s ability after his masterclass in last year’s decider.

Ryan Papenhuyzen (Melbourne) v Dylan Edwards (Penrith)

Penrith fullback Edwards has risen to Test and Origin calculations because of his relentless work rate out of the backfield. While he perhaps doesn’t have the durability of the Panthers No.1, Papenhuyzen has the spark to flip the game on its head in an instant. The Storm fullback has endured a wretched few years with injury but has shown flashes he is returning to the level that earned him the Clive Churchill medal in the 2020 decider.

Cameron Munster (Melbourne) v Liam Martin (Penrith)

The pair have been at each other all week with Munster firing the first barb by claiming he and the Penrith back-rower don’t get along in Kangaroos camp. While that slight may have been somewhat performative, Martin will be keen to knock the maverick Storm five-eighth off his game.

Xavier Coates (Melbourne) v Brian To’o (Penrith)

Styles win fights and there could not be a more contrasting positional battle than on the wing. Coates’ 194cm frame makes him a target for the Storm’s attacking kicks against the 182cm To’o. But while the Penrith winger is diminutive in comparison, his ability to roll the Panthers downfield in the early part of their sets is unrivalled.

Tui Kamikamica and Josh King (Melbourne) v Moses Leota and James Fisher-Harris (Penrith)

Deprived of Nelson Asofa-Solomona due to suspension, Melbourne’s front-row pairing are going to have their work cut out matching it with Penrith’s self-proclaimed bash brothers. King is a workaholic while Kamikamica has the ability to trample anyone, but Leota and Fisher-Harris have conquered all those who have come before them over the Panthers’ run to three-straight titles.