Panthers win third straight premiership in ‘unfathomable’ Grand Final comeback

The Penrith Panthers have made NRL history in one of the craziest Grand Finals in history with one of the greatest finishes ever.

The NRL has witnessed one of the all-time great NRL Grand Finals with the Panthers completing their three-peat in a 26-24 win over the Broncos.

The Panthers pulled off the greatest Grand Final comeback in NRL history, beating the Storm’s 14 point deficit, coming back from 16 points down with just 24 minutes remaining.

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Played at Origin speeds and absurd end-to-end action, the Panthers have become the first team since the 1981-83 Parramatta Eels to win three straight premierships, cementing themselves as one of the great teams in NRL history.

The win came on the back of Nathan Cleary, who nearly single-handedly changed the match and brought the Panthers back over the line.

Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns said the last 20 minutes put Cleary’s performance among the greatest halves of football by a halfback in a grand final.

“Nathan Cleary has just elevated himself into NRL immortality,” Johns said.

The moment Nathan Cleary cemented his legacy. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

As the comeback unfolded, Channel 9 commentator Mat Thompson couldn’t believe what was happening.

“This would be an unfathomable comeback,” Thompson said. “They looked gone. They were shot.

“What a swing over this game. In the blink of an eye it’s back to four.”

He went on to say at full time after witnessing Cleary’s masterclass: “He’s just elevated himself into champion status.

“This is beyond belief. There is disbelief about what they have achieved tonight. It looked like they were going to lose by 30.”

Unsurprisingly, Cleary was named the Clive Churchill Medallist for the man of the match in the Grand Final, the second time he’s won the award.

“It doesn’t feel real right now,” he said as he accepted the award.

He also had kind words for the Broncos, calling it “the hardest game I’ve ever played” and called Broncos No. 6 Ezra Mam “a freak”.

The second half started with the Panthers leading 8-6 but it was quickly turned on its head by Mam who scored a hat-trick in 10 minutes as the Broncos seemed destined to end their 17-year premiership drought.

The Panthers have done the unthinkable. Photo by Izhar KHAN / AFP

But the Panthers aren’t three-time champions for no reason and the side does not have any quit in them.

Cleary put his side on his back, making a break before putting forward Moses Leota over for a try to cut the lead to 10.

He followed that up with a 40-20 on the third tackle of the next set, giving the Panthers perfect field position and the broke through via Stephen Crichton.

Cleary then did it all himself to seal the most extraordinary comeback on the biggest stage in rugby league.

9.23pm — Greatest GF comeback is insanity

The Panthers have come from 24-8 down with 24 minutes remaining, overcoming the biggest deficit in NRL grand final history — and there’s still two minutes to go.

Cleary did it all himself, beating Adam Reynolds and scoring himself to give the Panthers the lead.

“They were gone, they were absolutely gone with 20 minutes to go," Andrew Johns said.

Mat Thompson added: “He has willed Penrith back into this.”

9.11pm — ‘Unfathomable’ comeback is on

The Panthers’ three-peat is still alive with Stephen Crichton scoring — and there’s still 11 minutes left.

It’s 24-20 and the Panthers are coming home strong.

The Panthers went wide with Crichton barging over and slamming the ball down.

What a comeback. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

It’s the fourth straight grand final he’s scored in now, but the Panthers still need another try to come back.

Mat Thompson said: “This would be an unfathomable comeback. They looked gone. They were shot. What a swing over this game. In the blink of an eye it’s back to four.”

The biggest comeback in NRL grand final history was 14 by the Storm — the Panthers will break it if they can come back.

9.06pm — And we have a game again

Against the run of play, the Panthers have hit back as Nathan Cleary put Moses Leota over for a try.

With Isaah Yeo and Scott Sorensen off for HIA’s and Jarome Luai’s shoulder seemingly going, Cleary has stood up when it mattered most.

It’s 24-14 with 17 minutes left.

And Cleary is trying to turn the game himself, booting a 40-20 off the third tackle of the next set.

It’s game on.

8.51pm — Ezra Mam is going off

Ezra Mam celebrates his try. Photo: Channel 9.

Ezra Mam is playing the game of his life as the Broncos now have an 18-8 lead in the 55th minute as the 20-year-old five-eighth has rocketed into Clive Churchill calculations.

Mam again showed his turn of speed, burning through the line to claim his double.

And two minutes later, he had his hat-trick.

After Reece Walsh broke through the line from 55m out, Mam was in support and crossed for his 19th try of the season, breaking the record for most tries in a season by a five-eighth.

“Brisbane are tearing the Panthers apart,” Mat Thompson said.

Fox Sports’ Cody Kaye on Twitter: “Absolutely outrageous. First yeo and then Cleary clutching at thin air. You can’t coach against speed.”

Sport journalist Mark Gottlieb posted on Twitter: “Broncos are all over the Panthers.

“It’s one way traffic. And Walsh hasn’t really done anything. Penrith are a champion team. Don’t think they’ve experienced anything like this in a long time.

“Holeeeeeeeee smokes. Ezra Mam hat-trick in the space of 15 minutes. Unbelievable. This is getting scary for Penrith. Turning into a rout.”

Fan Adam Moursy wrote: “Can’t believe what I’m seeing here. Incredible. Never seen the Panthers so fatigued in defence The speed from Mam for all 3 tries – phenomenal”.

The Panthers are chasing history tonight, looking for a 40-year first as the first team to win three straight.

It’s 24-8 in the 57th minute.

It means there’s still 23 minutes left but the Broncos appear to be in a mood to break their 17-year hoodoo.

8.43pm — Broncos hit the lead

Ezra Mam has given the Broncos the lead, having cut through the Panthers’ line.

The 20-year-old showed electric pace, getting past Panthers young gun Lindsay Smith on the outside and then outpacing Dylan Edwards to the corner.

It was scintillating stuff from the youngster and Reynolds booted the goal, making it 12-8 in the 46th minute.

Sport journalist Ben Everill wrote on Twitter: “Wowwee. Now we see what Nathan Cleary is made of”.

It was the first time Penrith has trailed in a grand final since 2020, according to Lachlan McKirdy.

8.18pm — ‘Broncos are back in’: Brisbane hit back

The Broncos have answered back in the shadow of halftime with Tom Flegler barging over the line.

The prop put the ball down on the line under the posts.

Flegler on the burst! 😤#NRLGFpic.twitter.com/B4MFyAiKQa

— NRL (@NRL) October 1, 2023

It means it’s 8-6 at halftime but the commentators have said it’s a huge plus for the Broncos, who have made a mountain of errors.

“The Broncos are back in this,” Billy Slater said in commentary.

“They should be nowhere near,” Andrew Johns said.

It’s been a frenetic half with end to end action but the Panthers held their nerve and a majority of possession in the first half.

The back-to-back defending champs have had 57 per cent possession with 18 from 19 completions, while the Broncos are 13 from 21.

But the late try makes it a two point ball game which will be music to the ears of Brisbane coach Kevin Walters.

Wow. Great half of footy. #NRLGF

— Ralph Tucker (@ralphjtucker) October 1, 2023

This is the fastest game I’ve seen all year! #Wow#NRLGF on @abcsport

— Zane Bojack (@zanofc) October 1, 2023

The pace of this game is crazy so far #NRLGF

— Marni Kelly (@Marni_Kelly) October 1, 2023

8.03pm — Horror sight for Broncos

Adam Reynolds was not in a good way. Photo: Channel 9

Broncos skipper and halfback Adam Reynolds was left in plenty of pain after he was left almost doing the splits.

The Broncos were attacking the Panthers’ line when Reynolds drew in Scott Sorensen before passing.

However, the Panthers second rower had committed to the tackle and Reynolds was left in an ugly position as he appeared to do the splits.

Andrew Johns said: “I think he’s gone. He does the splits. He’s torn his groin. He looks in all sorts.”

Reynolds has continued and appears to be running alright but it was an ugly sight for a more and more injury prone star who’s had his share of groin and hip injuries.

Or not. He looked cooked. Thought his night was over.

— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) October 1, 2023

7.53pm — ‘Big boo-boo’ as Panthers score first

Penrith’s Mitch Kenny has scored his first try of the season as the Panthers have had some luck to finally break the Broncos line.

The Panthers have been a perfect 10 from 10 completions after 19 minutes while the Broncos have been four from 10.

So the Panthers have had all the field position but hadn’t been able to break through.

But after Reece Walsh touched a grubber to the corner and gave the Panthers a drop out, the Broncos’ Adam Reynolds went short.

The ball was batted back by the Broncos but there was no one there — except Kenny, who caught the ball and fell over the line.

Right place, right time for Mitch Kenny! ⏰#NRLGFpic.twitter.com/FW170t1Fqt

— NRL (@NRL) October 1, 2023

The Broncos stuffed up. Photo: Channel 9.

The Panthers scored first in the 2023 NRL grand final. Picture: Supplied

“Someone’s missed their assignment there,” Andrew Johns said.

“Everyone has a job to do. Everyone has their assignments and that was a big boo-boo.”

Mitch Kenny right place right time 🤣 Count-On Crichton 🏈 #penrithpanthers

#NRLPanthersBroncos#NRLGF#NRLGrandFinal

— social-distancing specialist 💉💉 (@uncannyK) October 1, 2023

But it wasn’t all great for the Panthers with Stephen Crichton kicking the goal to make it 6-0.

It appears as though Nathan Cleary had a knee complaint and was being looked at by the trainer, although he’s stayed on the field.

7.40pm — Reece Walsh “limping badly”

A scare has been sent through the Broncos camp with Reece Walsh caught by a tackled player as the Panthers attacked the line.

The commentators were worried that Walsh may be injured as he was “limping badly” but he seems to have come up alright.

But it set the stage for Billy Walters to stand up, booting a 40/20 in the fifth minute, although Jesse Arthurs slid into touch as the Broncos sent it wide.

7.34pm — We’re underway

All the entertainment is done, the anthems are sung and the 2023 decider is underway.

7.20pm — ‘Absolutely criminal’: NRL entertainment panned

Entertainment at the NRL grand final. Picture: Nine

The AFL had American rock band KISS, the NRL had Tina Turner … the musical — and the fans weren’t pleased.

Kicking off with Northern Territory rock band King Stingray doing a version of Men at Work’s “Down Under”, the cast of Tina Turner: The Musical took to the stage.

While there were some kind reviews, they were few and far between as fans turned on the NRL’s pre-game entertainment choice — a day after KISS rocked the MCG for the AFL Grand Final.

Check out the reaction here.

6.30pm — ‘Disaster has struck’

NRL officials have scrambled to avoid disaster at Accor Stadium after the Spider Cam went down when smothered by streamers during the Knights’ NRLW Grand Final celebrations.

The streamers were still covering the expensive piece of equipment in the moments before the Grand Final entertainment began.

“Disaster has struck NRL grand final day, with streamers stuck on the Spidercam cords,” AAP sport journalist Scott Bailey posted on Twitter.

Just moments earlier, Penrith players were spotted on the field in a casual warm-up when both teams are banned from performing formal warm-up drills on the stadium before the Grand Final.

Spider Cam went down. Photo: Twitter, Scott Bailey.

5.40pm – NRLW rollercoaster grand final rocked by blunder

Newcastle has come from behind to win back-to-back NRLW Grand Finals.

In a Grand Final of high drama, the Knights were on the wrong end of a referee blunder that could have broken them late in the second half, before they piled on two late, classy tries to be crowned premiers with a 24-18 win.

The Titans were brave in the second half and led 18-12 with the finish line in sight.

However, it was a try to Tamika Upton in the 60th minute that turned the game on its head.

The halfback split the defence with a darting solo run and then finished the match off with her second try five minutes later.

The Titans got away with murder. Photo: Fox League.

The Knights were in trouble before a momentum-changing ball-strip that gave them back the ball just 40m away from the try line.

There would have been outrage if the Titans had walked away with the win after a knock-on blunder was missed by the referees.

Fullback Evania Pelite got all muddled up while trying to control a ball kicked down field by the Knights and accidentally dribbled the ball forwards into Jaime Chapman.

Chapman immediately stopped assuming the off-side act had been penalised and had to be told by Pelite to keep playing.

The Titans then went up the other end and were awarded a penalty in a massive momentum changer.

“Jamie chapman surrendered. She thought she was called for off-side,” A Fox League commentator said.

Ruan Sims said on Channel 9: “Surely not. Surely not. That’s a bad miss. That’s costly”.

The earlier threatened to boilover after several controversial hair-pulling tackles.

Hannah Southwell was reported.

4pm – State vs state champions crowned

South Sydney has dominated the Brisbane Tigers to take out Sunday’s State Championship.

Rabbitohs teenager Tyrone Munro was the star of the show with a hat-trick in the 42-16 win.

Lara Pitt said on Fox League: “Glory, glory rings out at Accor Stadium our first of three grand final match ups between the blue and Maroon states and it is the team from NSW the South Sydney Rabbitohs with the bragging rights in this state championship.

“They celebrate there and last week they ended a 40-year drought in the NSW Cup and today they ran away with it with a stellar performance in the second half.

“42-22 victory over the Brisbane Tigers. Tyrone Munro sealed the deal for them and he sealed it for them last week and he was a star on show for them today.”

Tallis Duncan celebrates with Matt French. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images.

The Rabbitohs celebrate victory with the NRL State Championship trophy. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images.

3.30pm – ‘I’m stunned’: Grand Final crowd nobody saw coming

Broncos fans have outnumbered Panthers fans in the hours leading into kick-off on Sunday night.

Fox Sports News showed Sydney Olympic Park was dominated by Broncos fans with their Panthers’ opposites appearing to be waiting as long as possible before making the trip to Accor Stadium in the burning Sydney heat.

Broncos fans arrive at Sydney Olympic Park. Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images.

“I’m stunned by the number of Broncos fans who are out and about,” NRL journalist Andrew Webster tweeted.

“Either in the city (where I live) and Sydney Olympic Park (where I’ve been) — including one man who was at the MCG yesterday to watch the Lions, then caught a train to Sydney for the GF. That’s commitment.”

Cronulla legend Paul Gallen also said on Channel 9 he was surprised and said the Broncos fans were outnumbering Panthers fans 2-1 or even 3-1.

12pm – Kevin Walters blasts Walsh critics, fans

Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters says “people are jealous” of Reece Walsh after the star fullback got into an altercation with a Penrith supporter on Friday.

At the NRL’s Fan Fest in Sydney on Friday ahead of the NRL Grand Final, a young fan in a Panthers jumper supposedly made a comment to Walsh that the 21-year-old didn’t take kindly to.

The video on social media does not show what was initially said, but it has been alleged by witnesses a fan called out to Walsh: “Moses Leota will take your head off this weekend.”

Leota, an imposing prop, will be in the Penrith team aiming for a rare NRL three-peat in Sunday’s Grand Final.

Rather than ignore the comment, Walsh couldn’t resist responding.

“I’ll take your mum’s,” Walsh is clearly heard saying in a video that has been widely circulated on social media.

Walters said on Saturday: “The amount of people who love him or hate him … we’re in a bit of foreign territory here in NSW, so there are people jealous of Reece because of the way he plays, his looks and all those things.

“That’s something he’s going to have to get on top of for the rest of his career.