NRL Grand Final 2020 live: Panthers vs Storm at ANZ Stadium

The Melbourne Storm are NRL champions in 2020 after the most bonkers comeback in recent memory set up a mind-blowing finish to the season.

The Panthers can claim to being “unlucky” in an NRL Grand Final of huge drama – but there is no denying the Storm are the rightful champions in 2020.

 

There is also no disputing the greatness and immortality of Storm legend Cameron Smith as he led the Storm to a nail-biting 26-20 victory that finished with a thrilling late fightback from the Panthers.

NRL live scores: Grand Final match centre

Smith was an absolute superstar as the Storm captain claimed his third NRL premiership and the fifth Grand Final win of his career where he also celebrated becoming the oldest grand final winner (37 years and 129 days) in the history of the game.

Smith's classy performance was only overshadowed by a freakish series of highlights from fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen that saw the No. 1 awarded the Clive Churchill medal as the best player on the field.  Papenhuyzen's award came after several commercial bookmakers paid out bets on Smith to be awarded the medal early in the second half.

The honours very nearly disappeared in front of the Storm's eyes as the Panthers mounted an extraordinary comeback that set up a thrilling final minute of play where the Panthers had one final chance to score off the kick-off to steal the most unlikely of grand final wins.

It was set up by a try to Panthers playmaker Nathan Cleary in the 80th minute that brought the Panthers to within one converted try with just seconds left on the clock. 

With one final play, the Panthers zigged and zagged within their own half, but the Storm defence held firm to take another historic grand final victory.

Earlier, the Panthers had been left dead in the water as the Storm ran out to a 26-0 lead early in the second half.

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The Panthers scored the last four tries of the match after a series of controversial calls went against the Storm. 

The first allowed Isaah Yeo to set up a try after running around his own teammate in a clear obstruction. 

The second saw halfback Jahrome Hughes sent to the sin bin with nine minutes left on the clock after the NRL Bunker ruled he had  performed a professional foul by taking out Villiame Kikau.

With the Storm reduced to 12 men at the death, the Panthers very nearly pinched it. 

But the Storm showed their class to endure the onslaught and emerge with a famous grand final triumph.

Smith was even left emotional at full time as he talked about his team's incredible defence when it mattered the most. 

"Jeez, we did it the hard way there, 11 men in the end," Smith said.

"Penrith were coming home with a wet sail and playing the footy they played all year.  If it goes another two minutes, I just don’t know.

"I'm just really proud of this  club - not just this football team that played tonight, but the entire squad."

Panthers star Cleary was also overcome with emotion at full time after a game where he made several poor decisions with the ball in his hands and was also caught out in defence a number of times.

However, Cleary still showed his class by leading the Panthers in their late charge and even scored the try that set up the last-minute drama. 

Despite his impressive second half display, Cleary looked a man who couldn't forget his early mistakes when he spoke to Brad Fittler immediately after the full time siren. 

"It's super disappointing," a broken Cleary said.

"I thought I let the boys down, but hopefully we'll be back.

"It's going to hurt for a long time, but it's fuel for us for next year."

After 17 straight wins, it was a cruel way for the Panthers season to end.

Cleary's rollercoaster ride was just a taste of the high drama that exploded in the second half. 

Here's how Melbourne Storm rode the turbulence to get their hands on the Provan-Summons Trophy.