Debate surrounding Nathan Cleary's pivotal performance in New South Wales' recent Origin victory has created division within the Loose Carry NRL Podcast crew.
Following his crucial contributions in Game 3 at Suncorp, including two tries that helped secure an 18-point win, conversations about Cleary's potential as the greatest player in the sport have surfaced.
Despite his accolades, which included being awarded the Wally Lewis Medal for his stellar series finale, Lee Addison of the podcast expressed skepticism regarding the media's overwhelming praise.
"He played well. But the absolute bonging on by the media that he's owned Origin, and some people are suggesting Immortal status, I think it's such dishonest appraisal," Addison remarked in a recent episode.
He emphasized that the achievements of the forward pack and Cleary's partner, Mitchell Moses, deserved more attention.
"It comes from a great place because people want to crown a king, but I think it's such an insult to people like Hudson Young, Liam Martin, Payne Haas and the whole New South Wales front pack," he added.
Moreover, Addison pointed out that the dynamic duo of Cleary and Moses relied heavily on their forwards for success.
"Anyone who has followed or been around rugby league knows that backs and halves can't do anything, or can't do as much, without go forward," he stated.
Contrasting opinions emerged, with Murdoch asserting, "Two things can be true at once... People saying he dominated Origin or he was great doesn't then move Hudson Young and Liam Martin down in their greatness."
He continued, pondering if this performance might finally be the key for Cleary to elevate his game further.
"Isn't that what we've been wanting? We've been wanting him to take what he's been so successful at at clubland and put it into a team where he doesn't feel like he has to do all this different stuff," Murdoch concluded.