The Panthers defeated the Broncos 26-24 and pulled off the largest comeback in NRL grand final history to win three straight championships for the first time in 40 years.
After 58 minutes, Penrith was behind 24-8 until Clive Churchill Medal winner Nathan Cleary put on a clinic to nearly single-handedly take his team to the championship on Sunday night.
At Sydney’s Accor Stadium, Cleary kicked a vital 40-20, assisted in the first two tries’ scoring, and then scored the game-winning touchdown himself.
“It feels like a dream; it doesn’t even feel real.”
The Panthers defeated the Broncos 26-24 and pulled off the largest comeback in NRL grand final history to win three straight championships for the first time in 40 years.
After 58 minutes, Penrith was behind 24-8 until Clive Churchill Medal winner Nathan Cleary put on a clinic to nearly single-handedly take his team to the championship on Sunday night.
At Sydney’s Accor Stadium, Cleary kicked a vital 40-20, assisted in the first two tries’ scoring, and then scored the game-winning touchdown himself.
“It feels like a dream; it doesn’t even feel real.”
Then, in the 53rd minute, Mam sped through to score again after selling a dummy to defeat Cleary.
Moments after Penrith No. 6 Jarome Luai departed the contest due to a shoulder injury, the second try was scored.
When Reece Walsh stepped by Cleary and put his five-eighth over to make it 24 consecutive points, Mam completed his hat-trick in the 55th minute.
After Broncos centre Herbie Farnworth batted down a short dropout that dropped into the bread basket of the Penrith hooker in the 18th minute, Mitch Kenny scored the most unexpected of grand final opening scores.
Brisbane committed five faults in the first 15 minutes as the Panthers finished their first 10 sets. But the Broncos have persevered and made a good game. Matt Flegler
One of the most eagerly awaited grand finals in recent memory got off to a fast start when Moses Leota knocked Pat Carrigan to the ground.
Penrith ad Carrigan attempted to make a massive tackel but Leota went right at him and slammed him on his back.
Early arguments led to the need to separate the teams after Liam Martin’s hit on a Farnworth caused the first mistake.
The Panthers got the first chance to attack, but the defence met the challenge, and in the fifth minute, Broncos hooker Billy Walters kicked a 40-20.
The pressure ultimately paid off when Kenny crossed in the 18th minute as Reynolds flung his hands in the air in disgust. However, Brisbane committed five blunders in the early exchanges.
In the 28th minute, Cleary was able to kick his team’s lead to 8-0 after Reynolds’ second short dropout effort went into touch.
Despite having 57% of the ball in the first half, Penrith only had an 8-6 lead at the halftime after Flegler scored on the fifth tackle in the 39th minute.
Mam then completed his remarkable hat-trick before Cleary scored with 16 minutes remaining to cut the deficit to 24-14.
Then, in the 68th minute, Stephen Crichton scored in the championship game for the fourth consecutive year after eluding three defenders to cross wide.
