Four years after they first met in a grand final, Penrith's clash with Melbourne is the moment the club's record-breaking dynasty comes full circle.
Penrith and Melbourne will meet on the last day of the 2024 NRL season, and it's clear the year couldn't have ended any other way.– their attack was riotous, then free-wheeling, then decadent; conversely, Penrith's 26-6 win over Cronulla had all the hallmarks of greatness seen many times before.It was yet another stirring performance from master playmaker Nathan Cleary , who had the last touch for Penrith's first three tries.
That lesson changed the Panthers, teaching them about peaking at the right time, and about vengeance.They were already good, but losing in 2020 delivered them to greatness, to the point where they can credibly call themselves the best team ever to play this game.
Melbourne are another story. They are a very different team to 2020 and play a vastly different style. Their consistency and attacking excellence this season — personified in Jahrome Hughes, the best player in the league this year — has been a study in total maximisation on a technical level. The excellence of both sides is what makes the stakes on Sunday so high and fascinating — just the second grand final rematch of the NRL era.
Rugby League Melbourne Storm Penrith Panthers Grand Final Nathan Cleary
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NRL finals no cakewalk for Panthers and Storm as rivals seek upsets in premiership questPenrith and Melbourne are the firm favourites to play in this year's NRL grand final, but history shows the top two teams rarely face off in the decider.
Read more »
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy declares Penrith Panthers the NRL favouritesOn the back of a Harry Grant hat-trick, minor premiers Melbourne consign the Sharks to their seventh-straight finals loss with a 37-10 victory on Saturday.
Read more »
Panthers workhorse’s head knock scare; Storm sweat on star trio — NRL Casualty WardNRL: The Brisbane Broncos have started their search for the next head coach following the departure of Kevin Walters, Michael Maguire and Josh Hannay are the leading candidates.
Read more »
The perfect Storm: Four things learnt from Broncos’ final implosionIs Hughes a Dally M Medal lock? And where to now for the Broncos? All the things we learnt from Brisbane’s horror night against Melbourne.
Read more »
The perfect Storm: Four things learnt from Broncos’ final implosionIs Hughes a Dally M Medal lock? And where to now for the Broncos? All the things we learnt from Brisbane’s horror night against Melbourne.
Read more »
Storm storm to victory, Sharks on brink of eliminationJahrome Hughes and Harry Grant starred for Melbourne Storm as they defeated the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, putting them one win away from the Grand Final. Cronulla are now facing another straight sets exit.
Read more »