Johns, the former Knights and Sharks stalwart, told a Fox Sports NRL Finals launch audience at Sydney’s Central Station this morning that Cleary, well and truly in the running for the prestigious Dally M Rookie of the Year gong, will be more than just a star player over the coming years.

“He’s a great story; he’s the next great halfback of the game, him and young Ash Taylor,” the 200-game Johns said of Cleary, who debuted for the Panthers in round 13 this year against none other than this season’s eventual minor premiers.

“I tell you what, that’s the toughest debut there is,” Johns said of the 18-year-old veteran of just 13 first grade games. “When you play Melbourne in Melbourne for your debut, you know from there that it’s only going to get easier, and it has for Nathan Cleary.

“The great thing about Cleary is he gets better every single time you see him play. If you saw his old man Ivan play, well, you know where he gets his temperament from; Ivan was one of the coolest customers in the business.”

Johns, however, stopped short of claiming it will be Cleary alone who will get the Panthers over the line against the James Graham-led Bulldogs in the blockbuster sudden-death showdown at Allianz Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

In fact, Johns is more than weary on the Panthers’ behalf of a side which has been bashed pillar to post by most league experts due to disappointing attacking options in recent weeks. “Expect the unexpected with the Bulldogs,” said Johns. “How many times have we seen them limp to the finals and suddenly start to do some stuff?

“In 2014 they finished seventh. They had no form, but they thrashed the Melbourne Storm in week one before going right through to the grand final where the Rabbitohs beat them.

“The thing about the Bulldogs is, it’s in their DNA that they perform in September. Some sides leave their worst form for September, but that’s when the Bulldogs always play their very best.

“I think this is a really dangerous game for the young Panthers. No one has given the Bulldogs a chance; everyone is writing them off. Everyone thinks their form is rotten … just the way they like it.”

Anton Pulvirenti’s NRL Finals art at Sydney’s Central Station. (Photo courtesy Fox Sports)

For the first time, FOX SPORTS will broadcast every Finals match across September LIVE, with no ad breaks during play and in HIGH DEFINITION on a dedicated 24/7 Finals Pop Up Channel. To mark the occasion, a specially commissioned piece of 3D pop-up perspective artwork measuring 10m long and featuring all eight clubs competing in the Finals was revealed Thursday morning at the launch at Central Station.

Created by renowned Sydney artist Anton Pulvirenti, the artwork showcases some of the most memorable moments from 2016, fronted by a collection of players who were inspirational in guiding their club to the Finals.

FOX SPORTS’ WEEK 1 NRL FINALS BROADCAST:
All on FOX SPORTS’ dedicated NRL Finals channel, FOX SPORTS 501
Fri 9 Sep: Elimination Final: Broncos v Titans, LIVE from 7.00pm
Sat 10 Sep: Qualifying Final: Raiders v Sharks, LIVE from 5.00pm
Sat 10 Sep: Qualifying Final: Storm v Cowboys, LIVE at 7.55pm
Sun 11 Sep: Elimination Final: Panthers v Bulldogs, LIVE at 3.30pm