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2020 NRL grand final: Storm hold out defiant Panthers to return to NRL summit

Melbourne finished with 11 men on the field and only just held out a fast-finishing Penrith side to claim yet another premiership, Ryan Papenhuyzen named Clive Churchill medallist.

Brent Read and Adrian McMurray
22 min read
4:05PMOctober 25, 2020.
Updated 11:57PMOctober 25, 2020
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The Melbourne Storm are the 2020 NRL premiers following a 26-20 win over the Penrith Panthers at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Jonathan Ng
The Melbourne Storm are the 2020 NRL premiers following a 26-20 win over the Penrith Panthers at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The Melbourne Storm are the 2020 NRL premiers, holding out a fast-finishing Penrith Panthers side to win 26-20 in a drama-filled decider. See how it all unfolded below.

Adrian McMurray 10.57pm: Queensland squad finalised

Queensland have also finalised their squad for the Origin series. Penrith’s Kurt Capewell joins Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Brenko Lee, Cameron Munster, Christian Welch and Felise Kaufusi from Melbourne.

That’s all from us tonight. Comprehensive grand final coverage will be online and in our app shortly, as well as in Monday’s paper. Thanks for joining us for the 2020 NRL decider, we’ll be back to blog the State of Origin series live in a few weeks.

Adrian McMurray 10.40pm: Seven players added to NSW squad

Brad Fittler has finalised his NSW Blues squad, adding seven players from the grand final. Penrith’s Nathan Cleary, Stephen Crichton, Jarome Luai and Isaah Yeo are in, likewise Josh Addo-Carr, Dale Finucane and the Clive Churchill medallist Ryan Papenhuyzen.

Adrian McMurray 10.05pm: Papenhuyzen wins Clive Churchill Medal

Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is named Clive Churchill medallist! Great choice, surely we won’t have any arguments with that. Plenty thought Cameron Smith would be the default choice, but it’s great to see the young gun rewarded for a great game. Nelson Asofa-Solomona was also brilliant.

Adrian McMurray 9.48pm: Melbourne hold on to win premiership

Nathan Cleary crosses with seconds remaining on the clock, and elects not to take the conversion to have one last crack at an 11-man Storm after Brandon Smith joined Hughes in the sin bin in the dying stages.

They fling the ball around but it ends up in the hands of Kaufusi … and the Storm win! Melbourne defeat Penrith 26-20 in one of the most memorable grand finals of recent years.

Adrian McMurray 9.34pm: Penrith comeback continues

PENRITH SCORE! Mansour crosses out wide, Cleary misses the ensuing conversion and it’s a 10-point game with seven minutes to play. Melbourne lead 26-16.

Adrian McMurray 9.32pm: Hughes sent to the sin bin

OH.MY.WORD. Hughes is sent to the bin with nine minutes on the clock for taking out Kikau off the ball. It’s ruled a professional foul, and Melbourne have to play out the match with 12 men. 26-12 the way of the Storm with nine minutes to play.

Adrian McMurray 9.29pm: Crichton scores, late drama ahead?

Stunning play from Papenhuyzen, batting a ball in as Cleary kicked for touch after the Panthers were awarded a penalty.

While Penrith couldn’t launch an attack on that occasion, minutes later Crichton got over the top of Lee to barge over and score. What a year the Penrith centre has had! Cleary converts, the difference is down to 14. Melbourne lead 26-12 with 10 minutes remaining.

Adrian McMurray 9.09pm: Bunker howler gives Penrith hope

The Panthers finally get on the scoreboard in controversial circumstances. Yeo shaped to pass to May on the outside, but continued forward behind Capewell, putting a kick in for To’o who crossed in the corner. The bunker takes its time but awards the try. It was a clear obstruction … Cleary converts from out wide, Melbourne lead 26-6 after 54 minutes. This just got a little more interesting.

Adrian McMurray 9.00pm: Papenhuyzen blitz increases Melbourne’s lead

Right, here we go in the second half. Moses Leota drops it four minutes into the half and the Panthers challenge the ruling … that wasn’t a great call, they lose their challenge and the Storm pack a scrum. They go to Papenhuyzen, who slices through a gap between May and Cleary and races away to score a brilliant long-range try! Smith misses, the Storm lead 26-0 after 46 minutes. Brad Fittler in Nine commentary says the Storm fullback will be part of his NSW squad. Congrats to the young gun.

Ivan Cleary turns to the interchange, bringing Naden on for Tetevano in search of points. Asofa-Solomona – who’s had a great game – comes off hurt.

Brent Read 8.35pm: The view from ANZ Stadium at halftime

Melbourne captain Cameron Smith scored a try with five seconds remaining in the opening half as the Storm took a 22-0 lead into their decider against Penrith at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night.

Smith, potentially playing his last game for the Storm after 19 years and more than 400 games in first grade, was one of several star performers for Melbourne as they took a seemingly insurmountable lead into the break.

Smith is yet to announce his plans for next season but the assumption is that he will give it away. He looks likely to depart with the third premiership of his career, with the Storm in complete control of the grand final.

Penrith had got off to the perfect start on a wet night at ANZ Stadium when Melbourne made a hash of the opening kick-off but luck quickly went Melbourne’s way.

An Api Koroisau error gave the Storm the chance to go on the attack and they struck early gold after a sweeping tackling movement finished with centre Justin Olam diving over the line.

Replays suggested he had lost the ball. They also showed the ball had been dislodged by the boot of Penrith centre Tyrone May and video referee Steve Chiddy deemed the ball had been illegally knocked out of Olam’s grasp.

Olam was awarded the fourth penalty try in grand final history and Smith kicked the conversion to give his side a 6-0 lead after four minutes.

Penrith were on the wrong side of the officials on that occasion and they found themselves out of luck again four minutes later when Josh Mansour slid over in the corner.

Replays suggested Stephen Crichton had taken out Brenko Lee in the lead-up and the try was disallowed. Penrith picked themselves up and dusted themselves off.

They threw everything bar the kitchen sink at the Storm but Melbourne desperately clung on and they got their reward for their defensive resilience midway through the half when they were awarded a penalty and Smith extended the lead to eight points.

Penrith’s ill-discipline would hurt them again seven minutes later as James Fisher-Harris went on report for a late hit on Brandon Smith after his New Zealand teammate had passed the ball.

Fisher-Harris apologised but Smith made the Panthers pay yet again. The lead was 10-0 and the Storm were in control.

They weren’t finished yet. With nine minutes remaining in the half, Nathan Cleary went looking for points for the Panthers but he only succeeded in drifting a pass into the hands of Storm winger Suli Vunivlau.

Vunivalu hit the ground, regained his feet, brushed off Mansour and raced 80 metres to score. Craig Bellamy rode him home in the coach’s box. Cleary cursed the air. Melbourne celebrated as they went clear 16-0.

The Mountain Men had a mountain to climb and it got even higher with seconds remaining in the half when Smith had the ball batted from his grasp, regathered and strolled over. Chiddy again ruled in Melbourne’s favour, Smith converted his own try and the Storm led 22-0.

Adrian McMurray 8.28pm: Smith adds another in shadows of halftime

With seconds to go before halftime, a quick play-the-ball gets Cameron Smith out of dummy-half quickly. Koroisau knocks it out of his hands, he dives over but it’s sent up as a no try. The bunker overturns the ruling, and it’s a try! He converts his own try, and it’s hard to see Penrith coming back from here. Melbourne lead 22-0 at halftime.

Adrian McMurray 8.18pm: Vunivalu’s huge play has Storm on top

Cleary spreads it left with that long, looping pass that has been in vogue this season. It looked like the Panthers had the numbers, but Vunivalu had other ideas, collecting the pass and racing almost the length of the field to score. Huge play from the departing winger. Smith adds the extras.

Gould, in commentary, says he still feels the Panthers are on top. Melbourne lead 16-0 after 32 minutes.

Adrian McMurray 8.12pm: Late shot hands Storm another two

Brandon Smith is hit late by James Fisher-Harris, the Panthers prop on report and the Storm man leaving the field hurt. Cameron Smith kicks another two, Melbourne now up 10-0 with 13 minutes to go this half.

Adrian McMurray 8.09pm: Storm push ahead

Kikau gets pinged for off-side, allowing Smith to kick the Storm further in front. In Nine’s commentary, Phil Gould is starting to get rattled by some of the referees’ decisions. If ‘Panther’ get dudded by the officials, we may never hear the end of it. Melbourne lead 8-0 after 22 minutes.

Adrian McMurray 8.01pm: Storm defence immense early on

Penrith keep turning to that left side, but the Melbourne defence – including Brenko Lee – are more than up to the task so far. Crichton crosses the line but is held up. Huge, huge defence from the Storm. Welch goes off for a HIA for the Storm, with a pretty handy replacement in Finucane making his way out there.

Meanwhile, I received this joke a little earlier …

“Apparently the Panthers have employed Daniel Andrews this week. He’s given them the pre-match talk on how to shut down Melbourne.”

Great stuff. Melbourne lead 6-0 after 18 minutes.

Adrian McMurray 7.51pm: Mansour denied try by bunker

Penrith have a chance denied by the bunker. They went left, Josh Mansour crossing in the corner, but it was pulled up for an obstruction. While the scoreboard is unchanged, good signs for that lethal left edge.

Adrian McMurray 7.43pm: Penalty try, errors: dramatic start to title decider

Wow, what a start for Penrith – forcing a Melbourne error straight from the kick-off.

Melbourne weather that … storm, and make their way down the field. They spread it left, Addo-Carr goes back inside to Olam, who looks like he’s crossed. It’s sent to the bunker as a no try … and they rule May flung a leg out – PENALTY TRY! Smith converts from right in front, and Melbourne lead 6-0 after 5 minutes.

Melbourne's Justin Olam scores a penalty try during the 2020 NRL Grand Final. Picture: Brett Costello
Melbourne's Justin Olam scores a penalty try during the 2020 NRL Grand Final. Picture: Brett Costello

Adrian McMurray 7.33pm: AC/DC vibes as grand final begins

AC/DC got a good hit out, as the Storm run out to Thunderstruck and the Panthers to Hells Bells. The young Panthers were almost bouncing off the walls as they ran out, the crowd lively as they made their way out. If that doesn’t get you going, nothing will! Penrith look confident. Onto the anthem, and now Nathan Cleary gets us underway. Here we go!

Brent Read 7.35pm: Watson, Hale honoured before kick-off

Newcastle Knights utility Connor Watson and NRLW star Georgia Hale have been named the game’s man and woman of the year, winning the 2020 Ken Stephen and Veronica White Medals.

Both medals were awarded prior to Sunday night’s grand final between Penrith and the Melbourne Storm at ANZ Stadium.

Watson was presented the Ken Stephen Medal by inaugural winner and ARL Commissioner

Wayne Pearce. Hale received the Veronica White Medal from Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council Chair and former Jillaroo Katrina Fanning.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said both players and all nominees were exceptional ambassadors for rugby league.

“It is so fitting for us to showcase these two exceptional people on our biggest day of the year,” Abdo said.

“So many of our players undertake a significant amount of work off the field – much of it done very quietly – tonight was our chance to acknowledge that work. Rugby League brings communities together and Connor and Georgia have led the way in 2020.

“COVID presented many challenges in 2020 but these players found a way to still make a positive difference.”

Watson and his family have been a driving force behind the Cultural Choice Association, which supports the prevention of suicide among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.

This year Watson led the Boots for Brighter Futures, with several Youth Justice Centres creating artwork for 56 pairs of boots which were worn during Indigenous Round and later auctioned off to raise funds.

“Connor has displayed leadership beyond his years,” Abdo said.

“The work he is doing is having a positive impact on not only Indigenous communities, but society in general.

“Connor’s commitment to raising awareness of important Indigenous issues in an innovative way like Boots for Brighter Futures will benefit so many in the years ahead.”

Hale, the 2020 Young New Zealander of the year, has used her own platform as an athlete who has represented her country in four sports.

She routinely visits schools and has dedicated herself to helping children, rural communities, the intellectually disabled and a wide range of charities.

“Georgia has dedicated herself to helping others,” Abdo said.

“She spends hours every week working with children, the disabled and particularly helping out in regional communities. She’s a remarkable athlete and an even more remarkable person.”

Brent Read 7.30pm: Cleary wins Players’ Champion award

Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary has had the disappointment of missing out on the Dally M medal tempered after being voted the best NRL player in 2020 by his peers.

Cleary was crowned The Players’ Champion ahead of fellow finalists James Tedesco, Luke Keary, Josh Papalii and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Cleary narrowly missed out on the Dally M medal earlier this week after the award was won by Canberra five-eighth Jack Wighton.

However, he has secured The Players’ Champion after leading the Panthers to the minor premiership and a place in the NRL grand final.

The 22-year-old is the second Panthers player to win the award – Petero Civoniceva was the joint winner in 2008.

Sydney Roosters backrower Hannah Southwell received the same honour for her outstanding efforts in the NRLW.

Wests Tigers star Harry Grant was awarded rookie of the year.

Rugby League Players Association chief executive Clint Newton said: “I would like to congratulate both Nathan and Hannah on being voted by their peers as the game’s best for 2020.

“Nathan has produced an exceptional year for the Panthers, leading them to the minor premiership and grand final in the most challenging of conditions and circumstances.

“He will go down in our history books as the best player in the eyes of those who take the field after a season like no other and is a very-deserved winner of the award.

“Hannah had an exceptional year for the Roosters and was integral in their resurgence to book a place in the decider after missing out in 2019.”

The Players’ 13 Dream Team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Brett Morris 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Brian Kelly 5. David Nofoaluma 6. Luke Keary 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Josh Papalii 9. Cameron Smith 10. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Tohu Harris 13. Cameron McInnes

Adrian McMurray 7.12pm: Amy Shark fails to get the crowd going

Now for the pre-match formalities. We begin with the presentation of the retiring players, with quite a few unable to be there in person due to border closures. The NRLW players are included for the first time, which is a nice touch for the growing competition.

Following the welcome to country, Amy Shark hits the stage. She’s a big rugby league fan, but it seems that just like yesterday at the AFL decider, the choice of tunes hasn’t really hit the mark with fans.

And … there it is!

She’s joined on stage by some of the members of INXS for a cover of Never Tear Us Apart, the surprise reunion getting the crowd going a bit. Here’s one for the true INXS fans.

Not long now until kick-off.

Brent Read 6.50pm: Is this the end for Cameron Smith?

The future of Melbourne captain Cameron Smith has been the most intriguing subplot in the lead-up to Sunday night’s NRL grand final at ANZ Stadium.

Smith is expected to end his glittering career after the title decider, although it may be weeks before he announces his decision.

The Storm skipper will go down as arguably the greatest player in the game’s history and will join some illustrious company if he departs the game with a grand final victory.

Former teammate Cooper Cronk was the most recent prominent player to do so, having led the Sydney Roosters to a win over Canberra last year.

Royce Simmons retired with a premiership in 1991.
Royce Simmons retired with a premiership in 1991.

Penrith legend Royce Simmons did the same, as did Raiders icon Mal Meninga.

Smith has been the most influential player in the game for nearly two decades, a period in which he has won multiple premierships with the Storm and been an integral member of both the Queensland and Australian teams.

Few players have had such an impact on the game over that time and he will be the player Penrith have to stop if their young side is to upset the experts and win the club’s first premiership since 2003.

Smith’s father Wayne told The Weekend Australian even he was in the dark about his 37-year-old son’s future.

“What he never does is make decisions on emotion,” Wayne Smith said.

“Whatever he decides – whether he wants to play again or doesn’t – he will probably make that decision two weeks after the final whether they win or lose.

“He usually gives me a call on the day off and we will have a chat. Under normal circumstances like an Origin. I would go and have a coffee with him. You can’t do that with the bubble.

“In the big scheme of things, some people haven’t been able to live with dying loved ones. When you get it into perspective, while it is disappointing, gee whiz it is not that bad.

“What drives Cam and it has always is the fact he never wants to let anyone down – that is his teammates especially.

“He doesn’t want anyone to say to him you didn’t have a dig today mate. That is what drives him – that he comes off the field and didn’t leave anything out there.

“Not just for him, but for his teammates. He is very smart. Even that semi-final the other night, he doesn’t do things until he has too.

Will this be Cameron Smith’s final game? Picture: Getty Images
Will this be Cameron Smith’s final game? Picture: Getty Images

“He is happy for the young guys to do their thing. He will get them to the part of the park where they can do their thing and create a tempo in the game that enhances their talent.”

The Panthers are led by young halfback Nathan Cleary, who is attempting to create his own slice of history on Sunday night.

Cleary and his father Ivan are attempting to become the first father-son duo since John and Martin Lang to win a premiership together, the pair having done so when the Panthers won the 2003 title.

Both sides will be greeted by wet and slippery conditions as they run onto ANZ Stadium, the Sydney weather having turned ugly in the past 24 hours.

Ivan Cleary has made one change to the side he named earlier this week, promoting Tyrone May to the starting side at the expense of Brent Naden.

Cleary did the same in the preliminary final against South Sydney.

Adrian McMurray 6.40pm: Grand final predictions

We’ve got about 50 minutes to go until kick-off, it’s been a strange day without some of the usual grand final trimmings, but it’s starting to feel a bit more normal as we get closer to game time.

We’ve asked the sports desk for their thoughts on a winner, first try-scorer and Clive Churchill medallist. Who have you got? Check out our predictions and leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Brent Read (Senior Sports Writer)
Melbourne 22-8
First try-scorer: Kenny Bromwich
Clive Churchill Medal: Cameron Smith

Wally Mason (Sports Editor)
Melbourne by 8 points
First try-scorer: Brian To’o
Clive Churchill Medal: Ryan Papenhuyzen

Simon McLoughlin (Deputy Sports Editor)
Penrith by 7 points
First try-scorer: Josh Mansour
Clive Churchill Medal: Cameron Smith

Adrian McMurray (Digital Journalist)
Penrith by 10 points
First try-scorer: Josh Addo-Carr
Clive Churchill Medal: Nathan Cleary

Adrian McMurray 6.30pm: Final teams: Naden survives grand final day axe

The final teams are in, and despite earlier reports, centre Brent Naden will remain in the 17 for the decider.

However Ivan Cleary has made one late change: Naden won’t start, moving to the bench with Tyrone May to start in the centres as per the same swap they made for their preliminary final win over the Rabbitohs.

It was reported earlier on Saturday that Naden would miss out with Mitch Kenny joining the bench.

The Storm, meanwhile, are unchanged, 1-17.

Panthers captain James Tamou won the toss, electing to kick off.

Brent Read 6.15pm: Future Immortal has always been a step ahead

Wayne Watson lives a quiet life these days on a 50-acre plot in Childers, a Queensland town about 50 kilometres south of Bundaberg that lays claim to being the southern gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

Cameron Smith. Picture: Getty Images
Cameron Smith. Picture: Getty Images

The 67-year-old is happy spending his time pottering around the property he shares with his wife as well as an assortment of kangaroos, chickens and local wildlife.

The man who first introduced future Immortal Cameron Smith to the game of rugby league might have watched the Melbourne Storm and his star pupil play once this year, twice at best.

“I had a few boys that went all the way,” Watson tells The Weekend Australian.

“I have a bit of pride in it of course, but nothing that ever makes my day. All I was doing back in those days was teaching them the ground rules of football.

“It wasn’t coaching, it was teaching. They were just learning. Even when he (Smith) was a lad, he was one of those hundred percenters.

“He would get out and do 100 per cent. He was pretty much the leader of the pack. It’s just some kids do it naturally and others have to try harder.

“He was one of the natural ones. He was always a quiet lad. He kept his thoughts to himself. He wasn’t outspoken like a lot of kids.”

Read the full story here.

Brent Read 5.50pm: Leota wants to give his children everything he didn’t have

Moses Leota plays hard but speaks soft. He has charged through the middle of the field this season for a Penrith side that stands on the cusp of history, driven by a desire to ensure his young family is able to enjoy the things he went without.

Moses Leota with Penrith teammates. Picture: Getty Images
Moses Leota with Penrith teammates. Picture: Getty Images

Leota never knew his father until he moved to Australia from New Zealand as a 12-year-old. His mother did her best but there were days when Leota went to school without lunch.

“We used to run around bare foot, play footy at the creek, go to school, play with our neighbours and have fun,” Leota said.

“We weren’t well off at all. (Mum) did everything she could but we weren’t rich or anything. There were times where we had no lunch.

“But a lot of us Poly kids go through that — going to school without your lunch every day is normal. When I came to ­Australia it was totally different.

“I started school here and I had lunch money plus food. I think that is why I loved it here.”

Read the full story here.

Adrian McMurray 5.35pm: Broncos complete NRLW three-peat

The Broncos have won their third successive NRLW title, defeating the Roosters 20-10 at ANZ Stadium this afternoon.

The defending premiers started strongly in the second half, with forward Chelsea Lenarduzzi running a nice line to power her way over to post first points four minutes into the half.

Tallisha Harden scored 10 minutes later, running onto a sublime ball from Ali Brigginshaw.

The NRLW powerhouse kept the Roosters scoreless in the second stanza, making it three titles from three seasons of the competition, with an all-time record of 11 wins and one loss.

Brent Read 5.25pm: Destiny’s child versus the assembled playmaker

Craig Gower takes a moment to think back to when he was 22, the same age Nathan Cleary will be when he takes charge of Penrith in his first NRL grand final on Sunday night.

“I was pretty erratic,” Gower said.

“I didn’t have the same patience and temperament he does. That may be down to his personality.

“He certainly plays above his years in the way he can manage a game and so forth. It is a credit to him.

Nathan Cleary. Picture: Brett Costello
Nathan Cleary. Picture: Brett Costello
Jahrome Hughes. Picture: Getty Images
Jahrome Hughes. Picture: Getty Images

“I would imagine his dad (coach Ivan Cleary) and Baz (assistant coach Trent Barrett) would have had something to do with that as well.

“I think he needed that extra responsibility. It shows he can blossom. He had the experienced guy inside him last year with James Maloney and maybe it was a little detrimental to him because he didn’t have to take the game by the scruff of the neck.”

Forget the game, Cleary has grabbed this season by the scruff of the neck. He was unlucky not to win the Dally M Medal and he looms as the key player for Penrith on Sunday night as he and his father attempt to pull off a historic victory at ANZ Stadium.

He is a study in contrasts to the man he will oppose. While Cleary has seemingly been earmarked for stardom from the day he made his first grade debut – Ivan suggested this week that he had been preparing his whole life for this moment – Melbourne No 7 Jahrome Hughes wasn’t even the club’s No 1 playmaker for most of last season.

Read the full story here.

Brent Read 5.10pm: How Clint and a scandal inspired Storm

Much has been made of the Melbourne’s attacking flair this season but beneath the surface has been a grit and resilience that Storm insiders trace back to the 2010 salary cap scandal and — of late — a line from a Clint Eastwood movie.

Earlier this year, on the 10-year anniversary of the day the Storm was sanctioned by the NRL for breaches of the cap, Melbourne officials pulled together their entire squad and provided them a history lesson via Zoom on the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

Picture: AFP
Picture: AFP

They watched a short video and heard from players involved. They were given a taste of the darkest period in the club’s history and provided with a crash course on how important those two years were to the Storm’s DNA.

At the time the code had been brought to a shuddering halt by COVID lockdown and when the game resumed, that history lesson proved prescient.

“Our critics will say why are you celebrating 10 years — it is not about celebrating, it is about reflecting and being appreciative of what those 2010 and 2011 teams did,” head of football Frank Ponissi said.

Read the full story here.

Will Swanton 5.05pm: Crichton’s faith drives his success

A medium-sized TV is on the wall. No paintings or pictures. An eight-seater lounge is shaped like a U. One brown coffee table is in the middle of the living room. There’s a clock near the TV. It has a Bible verse written on it. The words on the clock say Psalm 37:7. Be Still Before The Lord And Wait Patiently For Him. The numbers on the clock go tick-tock, tick-tock towards 4pm.

Stephen Crichton. Picture: Brett Costello
Stephen Crichton. Picture: Brett Costello

Earlier in the week, Stephen Crichton has been asked for the reason behind his meteoric rise from the Penrith bench to a starting berth in Sunday night’s NRL grand final and then his near-certain selection in the NSW State of Origin squad. “Probably my faith,” has been his response, which is probably the sort of remark that pisses a few people off, especially in sport, where nonbelievers take absurd glee in rolling their eyes and mocking Christian athletes for thinking spirituality plays any role whatsoever in their physical endeavours.

Read the full story here.

Brent Read 4.50pm: COVID limits grand final celebrations

COVID-19 is set to make life hell for rugby league to the bitter end, forcing players in Sunday night’s grand final to prioritise family members after the NRL deemed there would be strict limits on the number of people allowed in each dressing room after the game.

Picture: Getty Images
Picture: Getty Images

The select few who are given the green light were forced to undergo COVID testing on Friday afternoon before they are cleared to enter the sheds, either to celebrate or commiserate.

Penrith and Melbourne have been told that aside from the people they have in their biosecurity bubble, a further 46 guests will be allowed into the inner sanctum.

It means players will be forced to choose between loved ones on the biggest night of their careers, another remnant of the COVID-19 crisis that threatened to end the season only weeks after it had begun.

Read the full story here.

Adrian McMurray 4.40pm: Broncos hold slim advantage in NRLW decider

We’re underway in the NRLW final between the Broncos and Roosters.

Brisbane flew out of the blocks, with tries to Tamika Upton and Amber Hall in the first 10 minutes. But the Roosters have worked their way back into the contest, first through Yasmin Meakes, and then fresh off the bench Quincy Dodd barged her way over from dummy-half.

There’s just a conversion in it at halftime, with the Broncos holding a 12-10 advantage.

Meanwhile, at ANZ Stadium, a lovely tribute to the pioneers of the women’s game.

Adrian McMurray 4.15pm: Rain in Sydney for decider

We had plenty of rain for the AFL grand final in Brisbane (it’s still weird writing that) yesterday, and you better believe the heavens have opened up over ANZ Stadium today. The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted a 90 per cent chance of rain at kick-off. Can we not have one nice thing in 2020?!

We’re in for a wet grand final day. Picture: Getty Images
We’re in for a wet grand final day. Picture: Getty Images

At any rate, it doesn’t look like we’re in for a high scoring affair, but both sides have trained expecting these conditions. While the Storm have been based in sunny Queensland for most of the year, fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen said during the week Craig Bellamy had the sprinklers turned on at training. The master coach leaves no stone unturned. The Panthers meanwhile have used soaped up footballs during the week.

The conditions will perhaps dull that electric Panthers attack, but they’ve also been the best defensive side all year.

Adrian McMurray 3.30pm: Grand final heartbreak for unlucky Panther

Penrith are set to axe Brent Naden from their 17 for tonight’s premiership decider, with Tyrone May again set to move from the bench to start in the centres.

The Daily Telegraph reports coach Ivan Cleary will again call on the versatile May to start in the backline, after Naden sat through the entire preliminary final win over South Sydney on the bench.

Brent Naden is set to miss out on a spot in the grand final. Picture: Getty Images
Brent Naden is set to miss out on a spot in the grand final. Picture: Getty Images

Naden has been a mainstay in the Panthers backline in 2020, making 17 appearances and scoring 12 tries in the process.

The return of Viliame Kikau from suspension pushed Kurt Capewell to the bench when the squads were named on Tuesday, with Mitch Kenny set to again be a late inclusion on the interchange. Capewell, normally an edge forward, can cover centre if needed.

Melbourne are set to be unchanged, 1-17.

Chris Honnery 3.00pm: Broncos the underdogs in NRLW final

The Broncos have played one home game in three seasons.

They‘re booed every game they play.

In 2020, they‘re the only team who have endured the longest travel time.

This is why Brisbane‘s NRLW playing group are claiming the underdog status leading into this year’s grand final against the Roosters and they’re relishing it.

Meg Ward, Ali Brigginshaw, and Julia Robinson from the Broncos NRLW team. Picture: Josh Woning
Meg Ward, Ali Brigginshaw, and Julia Robinson from the Broncos NRLW team. Picture: Josh Woning

One of Brisbane’s foundation players – Meg Ward – drew the ire of Roosters coach Jamie Feeney last week after she claimed the Broncos were the underdog side in the NRLW competition.

“They‘ve won all the competitions,” Feeney said in the aftermath of last week’s 24-16 Brisbane victory.

Read the full story here.

2.30pm: NRL grand final day schedule

All times are AEDT

3:15pm – ANZ Stadium gates open
4:05pm – NRLW grand final kick-off
4:40pm – NRLW grand final halftime
4:45pm – NRLW grand final second half commences
5:20pm – NRLW grand final full-time
5:30pm – NRLW grand final post-match presentation
6:30pm – Pre-match entertainment featuring Amy Shark begins
7:10pm – Pre-match entertainment concludes
7:24pm – Teams enter ANZ Stadium
7:26pm – National anthem and welcome to country ceremony
7:30pm – NRL grand final kick-off
8:20pm – NRL grand final halftime
8:35pm – NRL grand final second half commences
9:25pm – NRL grand final full-time
9:30pm – NRL grand final post-match presentation

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/2020-nrl-grand-final-heartbreak-for-unlucky-panther-to-be-axed-from-squad/news-story/ef3d601403424c413cdeddf0a7684486