Ring boy’s ‘proposal’ wins over NRL in hilarious grand final move

A hilarious moment has won over NRL fans during the grand final presentations after a young kid stole the show in brilliant scenes.

A youngster from the Minchinbury Jets Junior Rugby League Club has won over fans with a hilarious moment during the Panthers’ NRL ring presentations.

The Panthers were celebration an astonishing fourth straight NRL premiership after a 14-6 win over the Melbourne Storm.

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For the 22-year-old centre Izack Tago, all four years of his career have been in Panthers premiership seasons — having debuted, but not played in the finals, in the Panthers’ first competition victory in 2021.

However, he has been an important part of the following three, including Sunday’s result where he ran for 135m over 15 runs including 41 post-contact metres, made two tackle breaks, two offloads, forced a drop out and made 37 tackles — more than the rest of the Panthers’ back five combined.

So when Tago went to receive his latest NRL champions ring, he appeared to be somewhat taken aback when the youngster dropped to one knee, like he was proposing to the young star.

That's good stuff from the kid. Photo: Channel 9

“That’s got to be a stitch up surely,” one fan responded.

“How about the kid proposing to Tago haha,” another added.

Another commented: “Glad he had a laugh with it. Twas funny I rewound.”

A fifth said: “Gold . cheeky AF..”

A sixth commented: “Omg how cute.”

Plenty of other fans just laughed.

It caps off a huge year for the Tago who has already agreed to stay on at the foot of the mountains until the end of 2028.

While the Panthers have gone all the way yet again, it hasn’t been the easiest season for the club in 2024.

Injuries, including to Nathan Cleary, and off-field dramas meant it wasn’t as easy for the Panthers as it has been in previous seasons.

Tago, Mitch Kenny, Moses Leota and Dylan Edwards. Picture: Jonathan Ng

While the likes of Jarome Luai, Sunia Turuva and James Fisher-Harris are the latest stars of the Panthers’ dynasty to move on from the club, Penrith are likely to still be at least among the favourites to run it back for a fifth time.

Although there’s a long time to go between now and then with plenty of celebrations, the Panthers were already revelling in the stunning success, which makes them the first team since the 1956-1966 Dragons, who won 11 in a row, to win four-straight premierships.

“No one is going to do this again,” Luai said after the siren.

“I can’t put it into words. History doesn’t matter. We are soaking up this moment.

“Just to win one grand final is so special. This group of guys, no-one works harder than these boys and we got what we deserved.”

Originally published as Ring boy’s ‘proposal’ wins over NRL in hilarious grand final move