Just in case you need a pointless stat to keep your mind at ease this week, consider this: In each of Penrith’s five Premiership wins, the team they ultimately defeated in the Grand Final had beaten them at some point in the same year.
In 1991, Canberra thrashed Penrith 20-0 at Bruce Stadium in Round 11, before turning it around in the Grand Final and winning 19-12.
In 2003, the Roosters downed Penrith 38-24, only for the result to be reversed on Grand Final Day.
We all know South Sydney produced an epic Qualifying Final win over Penrith in 2021, only to go down in the Grand Final a few weeks later.
The Eels beat Penrith twice in the regular season in 2022, only to fall over in both the Qualifying Final and Grand Final, while in 2023 Brisbane opened the regular season with a win over Penrith – and we all know what happened in the decider.
Fitting then that the Storm has beaten the Panthers twice during this year’s regular season.
What does it all mean?
Nothing, really. But sometimes in Grand Final Week, you take all you can get.
Sunday night’s clash at Accor Stadium has all the makings of one of the great Grand Finals.
Neither of these teams is underdone. Both are at virtually full strength, outside of Nelson Asofa-Solomona for Melbourne (suspended) and Scott Sorensen for Penrith (injury, though he may be a late starter). And both have been here, done that in terms of Grand Finals.
Both teams came through the Finals relatively easy, both producing comfortable wins over the Sharks and Roosters. The form line couldn’t be more even.
There is no question the two best halfbacks in the competition come up against each other on Sunday night.
On one side of the field, the brilliance of Nathan Cleary – a year scarred by injury, yet he returns in the Finals and it just all clicks. If ever you wanted evidence this was his team, you only had to watch this Finals series unfold.
And Jahrome Hughes – almost a quiet achiever at times, he has exploded out of his shell this year and produced his best season for the Storm. And just to cap it off, he plays his 150th first grade game in this Grand Final – and we all know how much the Storm love a milestone game.
Both Cleary and Hughes are the keys to the two most exciting spines in the game.
What a privilege it will be to see them go head to head on Sunday.
At fullback you’ve got the spectacular Ryan Papenhuyzen for Melbourne – it’s almost ninja-like how he slides through defensive lines and when he gets into open space, he’s almost impossible to stop.
Penrith’s Dylan Edwards may not be as quick but is there a better effort player in the game? When the chips are down and you need someone to produce something, Edwards will step up.
At five-eighth you’ve got the two cheekiest players on the field – Cameron Munster and Jarome Luai. Both know how to get the party started but when it comes down to business, both can match the talk with ability.
And at hooker, it’s hard to believe Harry Grant is playing in his first Grand Final. He has been brilliant for the Storm all year, and how gets his opportunity to deliver on the NRL’s biggest stage.
His opposite number in Mitch Kenny was almost unwanted by the Penrith fan base following the departure of Api Koroisau. There were signs he just wouldn’t make it.
But Kenny now has two Premiership rings and has become one of the most vital cogs in this Penrith team.
But as exciting as those spines are, let’s get to where this game will be won: the forwards.
It’s why I believe the Panthers will emerge victorious on Sunday night.
The loss of Asofa-Solomona is huge for Melbourne, not just based on what he brings to the side each week, but purely his presence on the park helps the Storm grow an extra leg.
And as good as the likes of Josh King, Shawn Blore and especially Eliesa Katoa have been this season, this Penrith pack just packs a better punch.
James Fisher-Harris, in his final game for Penrith and determined to go out a winner.
Moses Leota, a little quite in recent weeks but always ready to explode on the big stage, as we saw in last year’s amazing Grand Final.
Liam Martin, who after an underwhelming season has been strong in the Finals and knows how to deliver when the stakes are high.
There is regular Marto, and there is Finals Marto.
And of course, Isaah Yeo.
Without question the best lock in the game and coming off one of his best seasons, his running and footwork this year has been second to none.
The other battle of course is in the coach’s box.
Craig Bellamy is considered one of the greatest NRL coaches of all time, and there is no question that what he’s done with the Storm since arriving in 2003 is worthy of rugby league folklore. With the 2007 and 2009 stripped Premierships taken into account, Bellamy has guided the Storm to three Grand Final wins – 2012, 2017 and 2020.
And it would be that last Premiership that stings the man sitting nearby on Sunday night in the shape of Ivan Cleary, who too has won three Grand Finals with the Panthers.
The 2020 Grand Final loss to the Storm probably hasn’t been talked about much this week, given what happened in the three years after. The Panthers are in no way defined by that defeat.
But I wouldn’t mind betting that Ivan Cleary has gathered the players still around from that game – Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Jarome Luai, Nathan Cleary, James Fisher-Harris, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo and Moses Leota – and had a quiet discussion this week. Let’s not let the run of Premierships be bookended by Melbourne. Let’s not let the bullies win twice.
And so it comes down to this. 80 minutes, the two best teams. Not only of season 2024, but of a generation.
How anyone could have wanted a Grand Final other than this is beyond me. If you love rugby league, this is the game you deserve.
The forwards get Penrith over the line in my view, but this one could literally come down to a bounce of the ball or a 50/50 decision.
I don’t think the game will let us down – strap yourself in and maybe prepare for a little overtime.
Tip: Panthers by 2.
Penrith and Melbourne play on Sunday, October 6 at 7.30pm at Accor Stadium. The match is live on Channel 9 and 2GB, ABC, MMM, Koori Radio and SEN.
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.