NRL grand final 2023: Nathan Cleary miracle seals Panthers three-peat against Broncos
Nathan Cleary has produced one of the great all-time NRL performances to seal the biggest comeback in grand final history and a Penrith three-peat.
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Nathan Cleary might just be the best halfback of all time after the Panthers superstar orchestrated the greatest comeback in grand final history to help Penrith stun the Broncos 26-24 to claim their third title in a row.
It was tipped to be one of the best grand finals of all time but Sunday’s shootout somehow exceeded expectations with the teams producing 80 minutes of extraordinary drama that not even Hollywood writers could have scripted.
The Panthers were down 24-8 with 24 minutes to go due to a magical Ezra Mam hat-trick that had people writing Penrith’s eulogy, but Cleary writes his own scripts and pulled his team back from the dead in the most stunning comeback ever.
Cleary went straight through to set up Moses Leota and spark some interest of a comeback, nailed a 40/20 and then had all of Brisbane sweating bullets when he set up Stephen Crichton for his fourth try in as many grand finals to continue his wild streak before he joins the Bulldogs.
No one works harder than the halfback who comes up with plays that others don’t even think about, and it was fitting that he shut up all his haters with a lethal left foot step to slice through to put his side back in front with three minutes to go.
It was a one man show from the rep star who had to do it without halves partner Jarome Luai who came off with a shoulder injury with 30 minutes to go, while Isaah Yeo and Scott Sorensen both spent time off the field with head knocks.
It means the Panthers join the Eels of 1981-83 with three-straight titles, and there’s no sign of them slowing down with so many big guns signed long term and with Cleary now in the same breath as Andrew Johns as the best halfback of all time.
Mam Magic
So many teams fall behind and fail to recover against the might of Penrith, but for 75 minutes Brisbane matched it with the greatest team of the NRL era and even made them look beatable in front of 81,947 fans who got their money’s worth.
This is a team that was supposed to be too inexperienced but they brushed off a stack of early errors to go within a whisker of ending the dynasty.
All the talk was about wunderkind Reece Walsh and veteran playmaker Adam Reynolds, but instead it was a 20-year-old who stole the show with the first hat-trick in a grand final since Michael Robertson 15 years ago.
The 20-year-old has been hailed as the heir apparent to Reynolds when he eventually retires, and Mam showed on Sunday that the future is now with a stunning 10-minute burst that made Penrith’s record-breaking defence look second rate.
The young gun toyed with the Panthers, making some of the best defenders in the world look clueless as he burnt them with his electric pace and nifty footwork for two solo tries before Walsh stepped Cleary to set up his teammate for his third.
It was one of the great individual performances from an emerging superstar who took control of the game after Tom Flegler barged over for a try on the stroke of half-time despite Brisbane having virtually no ball.
Three years after the powerhouse club finished with the wooden spoon, Kevin Walters’ band of fearless young guns have fans up north confident they can end the premiership drought with their window well and truly open.
Dropout disaster
The short goal line dropout has been one of the biggest changes in rugby league over the past few years with teams turning a guaranteed defensive set into a genuine contest, but it backfired twice for the Broncos and hurt them dearly.
With points at a premium and Penrith unable to get their usually slick attack into gear, it was going to take something bizarre like a Herbie Farnwroth bat back from a dropout to open their account.
The tactic was sound but there were no Broncos waiting for the ball, with Mitch Kenny the unlikely Panther to pounce on the loose ball to score his first try of the season.
Adam Reynolds wasn’t deterred by the first setback and gambled again 12 minutes later with another attacking dropout which sailed out on the full and gifted Cleary two points.
The Broncos No.7 sent another dropout wide thanks to some Cleary brilliance, with Reynolds battling on bravely after hurting his hip in the first half.
FULL-TIME: CLEARY MIRACLE SEALS PENRITH THREE-PEAT
Nathan Cleary has scored one of the great tries in grand final history to seal a historic three-peat for the Panthers – the first triple premiership in 40 years.
It’s also the greatest comeback in grand final history, coming from 24-8 behind.
“He’s just elevated himself the champion status. With his sidekick Jarome Luai off the field, he’s just said ‘come with me’,” said Andrew Johns.
Billy Slater said: “This is a special performance by Nathan Cleary.”
9.10PM: PENRITH COMEBACK ON! CRICHTON HITS BACK
Stephen Crichton has scored with 12 minutes left. The Panthers are back with a massive shot here.
After being down 24-8, they now trail by just four points at 24-20.
What a finish!
Nathan Cleary has been simply brilliant despite copping an early knee injury.
9.04PM: MAM SETS GRAND FINAL ALIGHT WITH HATTRICK
Ezra Mam has exploded in the grand final with three quickfire tries.
The Broncos lead 24-8.
First, Mam beat Panthers duo Lindsay Smith and Izack Tago and then raced 45 metres to score after burning fullback Dylan Edwards in the 45th minute.
“That’s a grand final try. Great speed, great footwork,” Andrew Johns said on Channel 9.
Then in the 53rd minute, Mam threw a dummy to beat Nathan Cleary and raced through to score again.
8.52PM: LUAI, YEO COME FROM FIELD INJURED
Just when Penrith thought they had escaped an injury scare with Nathan Cleary, the Panthers look to have lost five-eighth Jarome Luai to a shoulder injury.
It has always been the fear from coach Ivan Cleary, and Panthers fans alike, that Luai’s dislocated shoulder could not withstand the duress of a grand final.
Luai left the field after 51 minutes clutching at the shoulder that kept him sidelined for a month before returning to the field in last year’s preliminary.
The five-eighth could be seen throwing his head gear to the ground in frustration as he approached the bench.
Brisbane’s Ezra Mam added insult to injury with two quick fire tries, his third in total, to take Brisbane’s lead to 24-8 with 16 minutes left on the clock.
Isaah Yeo is also off for a concussion test.
8.43PM: BRONCOS HIT LEAD WITH GREAT GRAND FINAL TRY
The Broncos have taken a 12-8 lead in the NRL grand final thanks to a piece of individual brilliance by Ezra Mam.
“One of the great grand final tries,” remarked Matt Thompson in commentary.
“Absolute individual brilliance,” said Billy Slater.
8.24PM: PANTHERS LEAD 8-6 AT HALF-TIME AS BRONCOS STRIKE LATE
Despite a late try to get themselves back in the game, the Brisbane Broncos will have to overcome a daunting record if they are to complete a second-half comeback against Penrith.
The Panthers went into halftime leading 8-6 and have proved virtually unbeatable when they are ahead at the break.
In their past 73 games, Penrith have lost just once when leading after 40 minutes – their State of Origin-affected 27-23 golden point defeat to North Queensland in round 16 this year.
The Panthers dominated the ball and had 57 per cent possession, limiting the Broncos to just five tackles inside their 20m line.
But that’s all they needed for Tom Flegler to score and bring the Broncos storming back into the contest.
8.07PM: REYNOLDS ADDS TO INJURY WOES
Grand final halfbacks Nathan Cleary and Adam Reynolds have both sent scares through their respective teams after separate injury concerns.
First, Cleary handed over kicking duties to centre Stephen Crichton while he had a left knee issue assessed.
Minutes later, Reynolds was brought down awkwardly in a tackle by Panthers back-rower Scott Sorensen and was grasping at his left hip.
Both players remained on the field as the Panthers held a 6-0 lead.
“He’s torn his groin there.... hopefully he can keep going,” said Andrew Johns of Reynolds.
7.58PM: PANTHERS STRIKE AS CLEARY COPS SCARE
Penrith are on the board through Stephen Crichton, who scored in the 19th minute.
But perhaps the bigger talking point was an injury to Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary, who needed to be strapped up after the try for a knee issue.
“There’s a left knee problem for Nathan Cleary, this could be huge,” Andrew Johns said during the Channel Nine commentary.
7.45PM: WALSH HOBBLING AMID BRUTAL EARLY EXCHANGES
Broncos superstar Reece Walsh copped an early injury in the NRL grand final.
Walsh sustained a knock to the leg while trying to snuff out a try in the early exchanges.
He came into the game with doubt over his left hamstring.
“He’s been hobbling for about 20 seconds,” Andrew Johns said in commentary.
Moments later Billy Slater commented: “Reece Walsh in the pink boots is moving well.”
He remains on the field.
7.35PM: TINA PRE-GAME TRIBUTE GETS BIG TICK
- Fatima Kdouh
Tina Turner rocked the grand final thirty years ago and on Sunday evening the rockstar’s classics lit up Accor Stadium once again.
In a fitting tribute paying homage to Turner’s 30-year contribution to rugby league the cast of ‘Tina - The Tina Turner Musical’ belted out the songstress’s iconic tunes to the delight of the sell-out crowd.
With Tina’s name up in lights and to a backdrop of light lasers and pyrotechnics fans were treated to some of Turner’s biggest classics including Proud Mary, River Deep Mountain High and Nut Bush.
6.58PM: CROKER AMONG LEGENDS TO FAREWELL NRL
- Fatima Kdouh
The game’s retiring class of 2023 has just completed a lap of honour in front of a packed crowd.
While there still might be over 30 minutes to kick-off, the very few empty seats at Accor Stadium are filling up fast.
The retiring class included 300-game veterans Andrew McCullough (Dragons), James Tamou (Cowboys) and Jarrod Croker (Raiders).
One of the biggest cheers of the presentation was reserved for the Raiders captain.
Others celebrated on the night included Parramatta’s Brad Takairangi and Mitch Rein, Canterbury’s Josh Reynolds, Dragons players Korbin Sims, Daniel Alvaro and Renee Targett, former Cowboy Lachlan Coote, Cronulla’s Andrew Fifita and Sam Williams from the Raiders.
6.40PM: REECE’S ROCK STAR ARRIVAL
- Paul Crawley
Talk about making a rock star entrance.
Check out the sunglasses Reece Walsh was wearing as he arrived at Accor Stadium.
While the Panthers’ had the boombox pumping as they got off the team bus, Walsh took the cool dude look to the next level as he waltzed in for his first grand final.
If the young gun Broncos fullback was feeling the nerves, he certainly wasn’t showing it.
There was a lot of debate throughout the week about the confidence of both teams, and if it oversteps the mark.
But Cameron Smith cracked up on Channel Nine when he caught a glimpse of Walsh: “He has got a bit of swagger. Look at him?”
Phil Gould responded: “Hopefully they feel that way in three or four hours’ time because it is going to slap them in the face if they underestimate what is about to happen out here.”
6.39PM: BOTH TEAMS UNCHANGED
- Fatima Kdouh
We’re less than an hour away from kick-off at Accor Stadium and the final teams are in.
As expected both coaches Ivan Cleary and Kevin Walters have gone with the same 17 players named on Tuesday.
Brisbane stalwart Corey Oates is the 18th man, while Tyrone Peachey is the reserve for the Panthers.
6.15PM: SPIDERCAM DRAMA CAUSES GRAND FINAL CHAOS
- Dean Ritchie
Channel Nine’s spider cam hit drama after the NRLW grand final when Newcastle Knights streamers were caught in the cable.
The spider cam was dropped to ground level with officials hurriedly yanking to free the blue and red streamers.
Newcastle had just beaten Gold Coast 24-18 in the NRWL grand final.
A massive clump of Knights streamers – freed in celebration – drifted towards the skies but were caught up.
It took multiple ground managers to lower the cable and free the streamers.
Disaster has struck NRL grand final day, with streamers stuck on the Spidercam cords. More to come. #NRLGFpic.twitter.com/wfVOgHoHql
— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) October 1, 2023
5.54PM: BRILLIANCE, BRAWLS, HAIR PULLS: KNIGHTS WIN WILD NRLW GRAND FINAL
- Martin Gabor
Tamika Upton has entered the conversation as one of the all-time great female footy players after the Knights fullback scored two late tries to help Newcastle seal back-to-back NRLW titles with a thrilling 24-18 win over the Titans.
The Dally M Medal winner had to go deep into her bag of tricks as it looked like Newcastle’s hopes of defending their title had gone up in smoke as the Titans opened up a handy lead late in the game.
But the cream always rises to the top in the big games, and there is no one better than Upton who has now won four NRLW titles and is clearly the best player in the world right now.
Earlier, Newcastle superstar Hannah Southwell went on report for a blatant hair pull on Gold Coast’s Zara Canfield.
Gold Coast’s Georgia Hale also copped a hair pull in the dying moments in a fiery game that featured multiple melees.
4PM: NRL HEAT POLICIES REVEALED
- Fatima Kdouh
The mercury has just hit 36 degrees at Accor Stadium but the NRL’s heat policy has not been activated for the women’s grand final between Newcastle and the Gold Coast.
While the temperature gauge is on the rise, other conditions like humidity and wind levels have improved over the course of the afternoon.
It means measures like drinks breaks, extended halftime and an increase in interchanges allowed at the same time will not be used.
Both teams had the option for extra drink runners during the game but declined to take up the offer.
Drink runners were used in the State Championship showdown between the Brisbane Tigers and the South Sydney Rabbitohs when part of the heat policy was implemented.
Other measures will include mist fans on the sideline and ice to ensure players can cool down during the game.
Even though the mercury is creeping towards the mid-30’s there is currently low humidity and ‘a breeze that is cooling conditions’.
Changes to interchange rules could also come into play under extreme conditions but won’t be employed in the State Championship. Normally, a coach is only allowed to interchange no more than two players at a time, but under the heat policy that will increase to three players.
The #NRLGF is bracing for several heat policies which would have dramatic implications for Penrith and Brisbane, with these mist fans on the sidelines just one of the measures taken.
— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) October 1, 2023
LIVE BLOG 👉 https://t.co/CHRzjuunT0pic.twitter.com/G8TzQyeHWw
The NRL’s heat stress index takes into account the temperature, humidity and wind levels.
The index will again be measured before the NRLW and NRL grand finals to determine if the policy will take effect in those matches.
The temperature is expected to peak at 36 degrees before the NRLW decider between the Newcastle Knights and Gold Coast Titans.
But the NRL showdown between Penrith and Brisbane is expected to be a cooler affair with the mercury to drop below 30 degrees by kick-off at 7.30pm, and unlikely to trigger heat protocols.
3.16PM: SOUTHS WIN THE DOUBLE
- Pamela Whaley
South Sydney teenager Tyrone Munro has called for a starting NRL spot next season after a three-try haul in Sunday’s State Championship.
Brisbane Tigers claimed a piece of history in the Queensland Cup grand final last week but the Rabbitohs announced their future in the 42-16 win at Accor Stadium.
It’s been a rapid rise to the top for the 18-year-old Munro from Moree who was the hero for the NSW Cup premiers against the Queensland champs.
The teen speedster took his athleticism to the big stage with a three-try haul in sweltering heat on NRL grand final day.
He rounded out his game with 196 running metres, four tackle-breaks and three linebreaks.
Double for Ty Ty Munz! 🤙ðŸ¾ðŸ‡â¤ï¸ pic.twitter.com/rBnNXkavsw
— South Sydney Rabbitohs 🰠(@SSFCRABBITOHS) October 1, 2023
It follows a whirlwind start to his career this year, after scoring a try on debut for NRL team in round 18 against the Warriors after graduating from the club’s SG Ball side.
He then impressed with seven tries in seven games for the NSW Cup, including the match-winning four-pointer in last week’s NSW Cup grand final over North Sydney.
Munro’s effort on Sunday was a standout for the Rabbitohs who ran riot over the Tigers with a eight try to four victory.
It was the 10th win in a row after claiming the NSW Cup title last week for the first time in 40 years, and Sunday’s victory is the sixth straight win for the southern state in the end of season clash.
The Tigers, who won their first Queensland Cup title in more than 30 years last week, were thoroughly outdone despite trailing just 12-6 at halftime.
Melbourne centre George Jennings failed a head injury assessment in the first half and didn’t return after copping a high shot from Souths centre Jacob Gagai, who was put on report.
The Tigers kept it close early with Cole Geyer scoring in the 22nd minute to take the score to 8-6, but they could manage just three more tries to Tom Rafter, Solomona Faataape and Kane Bradley in the second half despite plenty of ball.
Bulldogs-bound fullback Blake Taaffe was brave in defence and set up two tries and three line-breaks for Souths, while winger Tom Carr claimed a double on the left edge to go with tries to Ethan O’Neill, Dion Teaupa and Tallis Duncan.
2.55PM: DID SOUTHS STAR FORGET HIS KIT?
- Michael Carayannis
Tyrone Munroe has dominated for the Rabbitohs in the State Championships but he has done so in a slightly different jersey.
The flying Rabbitoh has a red and white stripe above his playing number. Whereas the rest of the squad are without.
2.30PM: SOUTHS LEADING STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Rabbitohs wing prodigy Tyrone Munro is showing why he is so highly rated, scoring a first half double in the State Championship to lead Brisbane Tigers 18-6.
The Tigers broke a 32-year premiership drought to reach the interstate showdown, while South Sydney extended North Sydney Bears’ title drought by another year.
12.50: PM: CHANNEL 9 BRACING FOR DISASTER
- Phil Rothfield
Channel 9 will be hoping for a huge improvement in it’s grand final TV ratings.
The national audience last year for the Panthers against the Eels was 2.37 million — the first NRL grand final lower than 2.5 million viewers since 1999.
Having a Queensland side playing will obviously help with the Broncos’ massive following from north of the border.
Plus, Brisbane is such an appealing side to watch play footy through the likes Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo and co.
Nine’s NRL coverage was flogged last weekend by Channel 7 AFL numbers.
12.33PM: CHILLED PANTHERS MOBBED BY FANS
Penrith players have returned to their hotel at the Parkroyal Parramatta before the team departs for Sydney Olympic Park.
The chilled group was mobbed by fans after their traditional morning grand final walk.
Panthers stars Isaac Tago, Spencer Leniu, Liam Martin, Brian To’o and Jack Cogger - among other players - looked relaxed as they posed for photos with Penrith fans.
11.45PM: BRONCOS DESCEND ON PANTHERS COUNTRY
- David Riccio
The Broncos could have more love than they think with almost half of the grand final crowd travelling from interstate for the premiership-decider.
Hyped in the build-up as a State of Origin-like atmosphere for Sunday night’s grand final, the NRL has provided this masthead figures that shows Panthers fans are going to need to find their voice.
More than 43% of fans inside the Accor Stadium are coming from interstate.
In addition, 30 per cent of the 83,000-seat sell-out are travelling from Queensland for the most important game of the year.
The numbers are a dramatic increase on last year‘s grand final where only 12 per cent of the crowd were from Queensland.
What’s also surprising is that Broncos members accounted for 28 percent of members sales, compared to Panthers members accounting for 38 percent of members sales.
Earlier this week, Penrith backrower Luke Garner said cheering for Brisbane would be as ‘silly’ as a New South Welshman cheering for Queensland in State of Origin.
“I don’t see why other Sydney fans wouldn’t support us. We’re in NSW and it feels like half this team has played for NSW so it would be silly not to go for us,” Garner said.
11.00AM: BRONCOS ‘CLUB REALLY IS FAMILY’
- Fatima Kdouh
The Brisbane Broncos had title glory on their minds at the grand final captain’s run but had the plight of two very special Broncos squad members in their hearts.
Players trained on Saturday with custom made shirts honouring NRLW lock Toni Hunt and the daughter of hooker Lavinia Gould, Kaia.
Hunt recently received the devastating news that her cancer, which she was first diagnosed with in March 2022, has returned.
Before returning to the NRLW this season, Hunt had endured 12 rounds of chemotherapy, radiation and the removal of her gallbladder, half of her liver and two lymph nodes.
Hunt’s latest health battle comes as her Broncos teammate Gould has been forced to live through her own heartbreak as a mother.
Gould’s 19-year old daughter, Kaia, was placed in an induced coma last month following complications with blood clots in her lungs after emergency open heart surgery to save her life.
Kaia was diagnosed with a type of kidney disease called Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) as a child, and was given a transplant in 2014 as well as regular dialysis and intensive hospital care.
Gould showed her appreciation for the touching gesture on social media
“Blown away by the support and generosity of the boys to add this tribute for the girls 😍… this club really is family ❤️ all heart,” Gould posted on Instagram.
The Broncos will auction off the player worn shirts with proceeds to go to helping both Hunt and Kaia through their health battles.
10.47AM: JUST TWO BRONCOS FAN SENDING SOME LOVE...
- Dean Ritchie
Golf superstar Cam Smith has sent Brisbane players a message of support from America ahead of tonight’ NRL grand final in Sydney.
Smith, a rugby league and Queensland tragic, was in San Diego when he filmed a ten-second video backing his beloved Broncos.
“Hey guys,” Smith says on the Broncos’ X feed.
“I just wanted to wish you all the best tonight; upset I couldn’t be there but we’ll be watching from San Diego.
“Up the Broncos.”
Smith ended the message with a fist pump with an excited clap of the hands.
All the way from San Diego ðŸŽ
— Brisbane Broncos (@brisbanebroncos) September 30, 2023
UP THE BRONCOS 💛 pic.twitter.com/sRgMyvnix1
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