Penrith do the unthinkable with fourth successive NRL crown

Penrith defied the bookmakers to record a composed 14-6 victory over Melbourne in the NRL grand final at Accord Stadium on Sunday night.

The Storm were a $1.90 favourite to snap the Panthers winning streak, but the Panthers ($2) had other ideas, as they outplayed their opponents in the opening half, before finishing with greater energy.

This victory marks the Panthers’ fourth consecutive NRL premiership, a feat last achieved by the iconic St George side in the 1950s and 60s. It was a performance fueled by the brilliance of Clive Churchill Medalist Liam Martin and the poise of playmaker Nathan Cleary.

An early handling error by Jarome Luai in the 11th minute gave the Storm an opportunity to strike, but Jack Howarth’s fumble allowed Penrith to reclaim control.

When Storm forward Alec MacDonald entered the match in the 18th minute, his immediate dropped ball handed the Panthers an attacking chance, with Izack Tago’s grubber kick earning a repeat set, though they were unable to capitalize.

The Storm then seized momentum, opening the scoring with a signature Harry Grant try from dummy half in the 18th minute. Nick Meaney’s conversion gave them a 6-0 lead.

A misjudgment by Will Warbrick from a Luai kick in the 26th minute opened the door for Penrith. Paul Alamoti’s slick pass found Luai, who sent Sunia Turuva over the line, but Cleary’s missed conversion kept the score at 6-4.

Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen’s kick-off sailed out on the full, offering the Panthers another opportunity, but a try-saving tackle by Eli Katoa denied Turuva.

With the halftime whistle looming, Cleary delivered a superb short ball to send Martin over, converting to take a 10-6 lead into the break.

The second half saw Penrith continue to dominate possession and territory, though errors on both sides kept the contest tense. A crucial moment came when Xavier Coates leaped to catch a bomb and passed to Howarth, who crossed the line only for the bunker to rule he had been held up.

In the 60th minute, the Panthers extended their lead, as Martin chased down a bomb, linking with Moses Leota, who then found Alamoti diving into the corner to score, making it 14-6.

Despite a spell of possession deep in Penrith’s half, the Storm couldn’t find a way through the tenacious Panthers defence, even as Cameron Munster was put on report for an alleged bite on Alamoti in the final minutes.

The Panthers’ triumph sees them become the first team since St George’s 1963-66 reign to win four straight premierships, cementing their legacy as one of the NRL’s most dominant dynasties.

The Storm have been installed a $3.75 favourite with Neds (Neds review) to win next year’s NRL premiership despite the grand final loss, with the Panthers on the second line of betting at $4.50.

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