I largely agree.I don’t think if we had Cleary, Cherry Evans or Reynolds in the half’s West Tigers would have made the top 8
I find it strange when people wrap or bag individuals for a teams achievements or failures over a season.
It’s a Team game (13+ players)
The Cowboys made the finals in 2022 because of their Team not any one individual.
The Tigers won the comp in 2005 because the Team jelled
not because of Benji or Scott Prince
My statement was about 2 individuals in their prime and who I considered the better player.
Cleary gets a lot of space from the Penrith forward pack. 2023, we may have made the 8. 2022 if we had Cleary here instead of Brooks/Hastings we would struggle past 14. Likewise Reynolds who doesn't do as much in defense.
DCE is used to running tries through and pushing a team. He is more like Andrew Johns in this respect. to your point:
It's 13 players on the field with 17 in total.
2005 we won because as you say the team Gelled. Benji/Prince could get the ball out where it needed to be. Benji would go it himself often and with devistating results due to touch footy magic.
Yet;
Pat Richards knew where to be to catch that pass. (and turned into something else even better on his return)
Brett Hodgson could keep the ball alive at the back and fill gaps.
Forward pack held their own against a Giant Cowboys squad.
Individuals can win a game, teams win finals.