IN a grand final most observers believe could come down to single play, the inclusion of one of the league’s sharpest shooters in two-time league leading point-scorer Mitch Porter could prove a crucial one for Wests on Sunday.
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Porter has had a mortgage on the top point-scoring gong for the past two seasons, racking up 172 and 170 points respectively. Both tallies would have been enough to claim the title again this season but Illawarra Cutters duty has kept him to just six games for the Devils – still at a handy clip of 64 points.
He may yet claim a premiership with the Cutters, but has set his focus on Sunday’s clash which he believes could well come down to how he and counterpart Beau Henry – this season’s leading point-scorer – do off the tee.
“It could come down to that. I know in that [major] semi every single kick Beauy had I was watching with intent and I think he was doing the same with me,” Porter said.
“I’ve got the confidence in myself to knock them over. I’ve been in pressure situation like that before so you’ve got back yourself. I think it’s just about keeping your routine pretty similar.
“I think it will go down to the wire and it’ll probably be a matter of which team can hold their composure the longest. I don’t think either side this season has played that full 80 minutes because they’ve been such see-sawing battles.
“When we played them at Dapto it was 22-4 and then we came back and it was the same in the major semi, they had the run of it in the first half and we were good enough to build a bit of pressure and come away with some points.”
Composure is one score on which Porter is confident the Devils have grown from last year’s grand final with famously cool head of coach Brett Kimmorley rubbing off on the group.
“Last year felt like we probably should’ve won it and there were just stages where it just fell apart for us,” Porter said.
“I think this year we should go one better. Those blokes with NRL experience bring that back and a lot of our younger players have had that extra year to build on what happened last year which puts us in good stead.
“Noddy’s really cool and calm most of the time and that rubs off. He gives us a platform to play off but he gives us the freedom to do our thing and play what’s in front of us.”
Porter’s stint with the Cutters has allowed for the emergence of one of the league best rookie’s in young-gun Lachlan Hurst. The pair have switched between fullback and wing since Porter’s return which is likely to continue on Sunday.
“Most likely we’ll be switching around again,” Porter said.
“Lachy’s been great, he’s been killing it. He’s a real a young up and comer coming out of the Canberra system. He’s been improving out of sight and he’s one of those real coachable kids so I’ll just let him do his thing and help the team out where I can.”