League: Mastermind squares off against Superman

What Bennett has achieved with Brisbane this year has surprised everyone. File Photo / Getty Images

Tonight's NRL grand final comes down to a battle between Wayne Bennett and Johnathan Thurston.

Without either, the Broncos and Cowboys wouldn't be in the final.

What Bennett has achieved with Brisbane this year has surprised everyone, especially as they are essentially the same team they have been for the past three or four seasons. It's surprised his players and might have even surprised Bennett, if he would admit it.

There's no question he's inspired some of his players and changed others.

Adam Blair is a good example, and Bennett has got him back to the type of form he was renowned for at the Melbourne Storm. Blair didn't really deserve to be called up to the Kiwis for the last couple of tests he played - he deserves a recall now.

The improvement in Anthony Milford from his Canberra days is a revelation and we've also seen the emergence of a handful of promising youngsters such as Dale Copley and Kodi Nikorima.

Bennett has transformed this Broncos side and silenced a few doubters who questioned whether he was still an effective coach after his time with the Knights and final season with the Dragons.

There's no middle ground with Bennett - he either backs his players 100 per cent or is against them 100 per cent. You know where you stand with him, and for some, that means at another club.

Some kick on after hearing the truth while others hope to find a coach who puts an arm around their shoulder and tells them what they want to hear.

Thurston is the life and soul of the Cowboys. Some other players have stepped up, like their Australia front row and Michael Morgan (who the Warriors should have chased earlier this year), but he's also turned others into handy players - players like Kyle Feldt, Kane Linnett and Justin O'Neill who weren't really wanted by other clubs.

There's been plenty of talk about Thurston one day becoming an Immortal but some are saying he doesn't deserve it unless he wins a grand final. What nonsense. He's just won his fourth Dally M medal and is the best player in the world.

I'm picking the Cowboys to win a close one today because they have more momentum but I'm also hoping they win for Thurston. After all, Bennett already has seven titles.

One thing I'm filthy about is the fact Justin Hodges will be playing today after he was cleared by the judiciary for a dangerous tackle on Aidan Guerra.

The judiciary went soft and for people to say Hodges didn't deserve to miss a grand final is a farce. The charge should be judged on what happened, not what time of year it happened.

Guerra should also be charged for bringing the game into disrepute for admitting he tried to milk a penalty by jumping into the tackle. The game is losing credibility over things like that and league fans are often among the first to criticise footballers for play-acting.

It's a blight on the game that needs to be stamped out.