Pitch invader wreaks havoc in NRL Grand Final with wild goalpost stunt

A pitch invader sparked wild scenes during the NRL Grand Final, running onto the field and nearly interrupting the game with a wild act.

A man was mobbed by security after he ran onto the field during the NRL Grand Final on Sunday night.

It was a one-sided affair as Penrith trounced Parramatta 28-12 to claim back-to-back premierships in emphatic fashion.

Watch every match of the Rugby League World Cup LIVE & Exclusive to Fox Sports, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

But there was a bizarre moment early in the second half when a fan wearing what appeared to be a yellow Eels jersey jumped the fence at Accor Stadium.

He managed to tear off the protective padding on a goalpost and sprinted 20 metres down the field before being apprehended by six security guards.

Some man just ran onto the pitch and tried to tear off the padding on the goalposts. #NRLGFpic.twitter.com/2cGNmsgNgP

— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) October 2, 2022

CODE Sports’ Lachlan McKirdy tweeted: “A guy just ran onto the field, tore off the padding on the posts and looked like he had a rope or something to tie himself to it.

“Thankfully, he didn’t account for all the padding and was unsuccessful.”

The man was escorted off the field and the padding was quickly reinstalled.

Fortunately the play was taking place down the other end of the field at the time and the game wasn’t interrupted.

Channel 9 commentator Mat Thompson said: “Drama in backplay. We will brush that for the moment because the game marches on.”

Penrith dominated the game from the get-go, racing out to an early lead through first-half tries to Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o and Scott Sorensen.

The Panthers continued to pile on the pain in the second half with To’o scoring a second try and Charlie Staines also crossing for a four-pointer.

At one stage the Panthers led 28-0 before the Eels restored some pride through late consolation tries to captain Clint Gutherson and Jake Arthur.

Originally published as Pitch invader wreaks havoc in NRL Grand Final with wild goalpost stunt