If Jarome Luai and Cody Walker start jersey grabbing in Saturday’s NRL preliminary final, Nathan Cleary will not be shocked.
The Penrith halfback has the two five-eighths as some of the mouthiest in the game – Luai in particular, who is considered one of the biggest sledgers in what is his first full season of NRL.
But the 23-year-old will meet his match in South Sydney’s Walker on Saturday with a spot in the grand final on the line at ANZ Stadium.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if they come together and grab each other’s jerseys,” Cleary said on Monday.
“They’re both pretty cheeky on the field but both are playing some really good footy so it’ll be good for fans to watch that one.”
Luai in particular has grown into his chirpiness this season, which tells Cleary he’s confident without being cocky.
It’s part of his lively personality that has injected so much fun into Penrith’s side this season.
The Panthers halves have played with each other since they were kids, but Cleary said Luai added niggle to his game once he gained a bit of size.
And if it puts a target on his back, well, that’s Luai’s problem to deal with Cleary reckons.
“He’s grown into it, he was always cheeky but he didn’t have that niggle,” Cleary said.
“Maybe it’s something he’s grown into as he’s gotten a bit bigger.
“He’s always had a mouth on him.
“Some of the boys at training are getting used to it but we love him for it.
“It may get him on the bad side of some of the boys we play but it’s just who Romey is.”
Penrith will come into Saturday’s clash fresh from a week off where they watched the Rabbitohs thump Parramatta with electric attack.
Cleary, who is playing his first preliminary finals match, said he admires Walker’s form in particular.
The pair played game one of last year’s Origin series together and Cleary has been in awe of his form over the past month.
“He’s an awesome, genuine bloke,” Cleary said.
“I get along with him really well and enjoy playing alongside him.
“He’s so much natural talent but he understands his game too.
“I’ve watched him play too, he’s a freak and some of the things he pulls off is absolutely crazy.”