2021 NRL Grand Final: Braith Anasta and Michael Ennis split on whether Souths or Penrith win

While the names of Reynolds, Walker and Cook grab most of the headlines, Fox Sports expert Braith Anasta believes it could be the form of an unheralded trio that gets Souths home on Sunday.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 11: Campbell Graham of the Rabbitohs is tackled by Jerome Luai and Matt Burton of the Panthers during the NRL Qualifying Final match between Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs at QCB Stadium, on September 11, 2021, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

With the Rabbitohs to face off against the Panthers for this year’s premiership, Fox League’s Michael Ennis and Braith Anasta give us their early predictions.

Fox League’s broadcast of Grand Final day on Foxtel starts from 1pm with coverage of the Intrust Super Cup double-header followed by a special 2-hour Grand Final preview show.

BRAITH ANASTA

SOUTH SYDNEY to win

Damien Cook, Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker

Souths know exactly what they have to do to beat Penrith - just follow the same blueprint they used to upset the Panthers in the first week of the finals.

Their line speed and intensity in defence helped them get in Penrith’s face and throw them off their game. It took away their time and space and denied the Panthers any attacking opportunities.

So once again, the key for Souths is to worry Penrith out of the game and intimidate them. Jai Arrow was enormous off the bench and he got right up in their face and they niggled them out of the game.

They have to put pressure on them, hurry them up on the last tackle and Wayne Bennett has so much experience in grand finals he’ll have them ready to do just that.

It’s interesting to hear Wayne speak after South Sydney’s losses this year - he understands that more often than not, when Souths lose it’s because they beat themselves. They’ve won so many games now they know what it takes, they’re a close team, they know what works best for them and what doesn’t and what doesn’t is errors.

When they do make errors they compound them and they kill their own chances. That’s why the emphasis this week will be on themselves.

Their forwards have really lifted since Latrell got suspended and they’re the unsung heroes of this Souths team.

We all know how good Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds are, and Reynolds can still be really effective even if he’s carrying an injury, but guys like Tom Burgess and Keaon Kolomatangi have been in great form and Cam Murray has been playing like Superman.

I’m leaning Souths - the Panthers-Storm prelim was ferocious, and one of the best games I’ve seen in a long time, but I fear it might have taken some juice out of Penrith.

Souths know how to attack them and with Reynolds, Walker and Benji Marshall running them around the park they can stop the Panthers premiership dream from coming true.

MICHAEL ENNIS

PENRITH to win

Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Brian To'o

Penrith have fought their way to the grand final via three absolute wars - but that just means they’re battle-hardened for the clash against South Sydney.

The win over the Storm shows they’ve learned their lesson from the disaster of last year’s grand final and their resounding effort in defence is something that will give them enormous confidence.

The way they came out and didn’t hesitate, they didn’t wait to see how Melbourne were going to be, they attacked with their aggression and their line speed and that’s what’s most important to them this week.

They know where they went wrong against Souths last time and have been through two really tough games, and while their attack might not have been at their best, defensively their resolve has been incredible.

Against Melbourne, even though it wasn’t raining points, there was a real attacking arrogance back in their play and I love that from Penrith. They didn’t hesitate to move the ball, especially to that left side to Viliame Kikau and Matt Burton.

When the game was in the balance, they had the confidence to do that and that’s when Penrith are at their best.

They’re coming up against an attacking juggernaut next week and for Penrith to unlock their own attack, while Nathan Cleary is vital, Jarome Luai and Api Koroisau are the ones who give them a point of difference and stop it from just being Nathan all the time.

Ivan Cleary and Wayne Bennett

Luai wasn’t quite back to where he was early in the season, but against the Storm he stepped up and took his moments.

The fact the Panthers have had a look at grand final week, which can be really daunting, means they’ll be a lot more settled.

I think Penrith get it done.

Wayne Bennett will have Souths primed, and you have to tip their hat to them, but the defensive resolve in Penrith could really frustrate Souths and if their attack starts to find it’s gears, and given their experience from last year, I think they get home in a tight one.

Fox League’s broadcast of Grand Final day on Foxtel starts from 1pm with coverage of the Intrust Super Cup double-header followed by a special 2-hour Grand Final preview show.

Originally published as 2021 NRL Grand Final: Braith Anasta and Michael Ennis split on whether Souths or Penrith win