The mighty Penrith Panthers created rugby league history on Sunday night by claiming a historic fourth successive* NRL premiership with a gripping* and controversial* 14-6 win over Melbourne Storm at a buzzing Accor Stadium.
Looking pretty in pink, a relentless* Penrith can now lay claim to being the greatest rugby league club side since the unbeatable St George Dragons, who won an unprecedented* 11 straight titles between 1956 and 1966.
No team in the NRL era has ever won four consecutive grand finals and only two teams – St George (1956-66) and South Sydney (1925-29) – have won four or more premierships in succession.
It was also the Panthers’ fifth consecutive grand final appearance after going down to Melbourne in 2020.
The Panthers’ season started in Las Vegas and ended with this side entering rugby league immortality*. The working-class city of Penrith last night erupted in wild celebrations, its local heroes once again the toast of the rugby league world.
Penrith has now secured grand final wins over Souths, Parramatta, Brisbane and Melbourne.
“Four in a row – it’s mind-blowing,” Panthers star Nathan Cleary said, while five-eighth Jarome Luai added: “No one is going to do this again.”
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has now also confirmed his place among the finest coaches in rugby league’s 116-year history. Sacked by the Panthers in 2015, Cleary returned to etch his name into folklore in the far west of Sydney.
Cleary’s son, superstar halfback Nathan, played through the pain of a shoulder injury which will require an off-season reconstruction.
Penrith Panthers hold off the Storm to claim fourth premiership
Sydney’s Penrith Panthers held off Melbourne Storm in the league grand final to become the first team in the modern NRL era to win four straight titles, denying the visitors but thrilling their fans
The Penrith Panthers celebrate winning the NRL Grand Final against Melbourne Storm at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: Jonathan Ng
The Penrith Panthers celebrate winning the NRL Grand Final against Melbourne Storm at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: Jonathan Ng
The mighty Penrith Panthers created rugby league history on Sunday night by claiming a historic fourth successive* NRL premiership with a gripping* and controversial* 14-6 win over Melbourne Storm at a buzzing Accor Stadium.
Looking pretty in pink, a relentless* Penrith can now lay claim to being the greatest rugby league club side since the unbeatable St George Dragons, who won an unprecedented* 11 straight titles between 1956 and 1966.
Nathan Cleary of the Panthers celebrates after the team made it four from four. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Nathan Cleary of the Panthers celebrates after the team made it four from four. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
No team in the NRL era has ever won four consecutive grand finals and only two teams – St George (1956-66) and South Sydney (1925-29) – have won four or more premierships in succession.
It was also the Panthers’ fifth consecutive grand final appearance after going down to Melbourne in 2020.
The Panthers’ season started in Las Vegas and ended with this side entering rugby league immortality*. The working-class city of Penrith last night erupted in wild celebrations, its local heroes once again the toast of the rugby league world.
Penrith players react to the sweet sound of the final whistle. Picture: Izhar Khan/AFP
Penrith players react to the sweet sound of the final whistle. Picture: Izhar Khan/AFP
Penrith has now secured grand final wins over Souths, Parramatta, Brisbane and Melbourne.
“Four in a row – it’s mind-blowing,” Panthers star Nathan Cleary said, while five-eighth Jarome Luai added: “No one is going to do this again.”
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has now also confirmed his place among the finest coaches in rugby league’s 116-year history. Sacked by the Panthers in 2015, Cleary returned to etch his name into folklore in the far west of Sydney.
Cleary’s son, superstar halfback Nathan, played through the pain of a shoulder injury which will require an off-season reconstruction.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary copped a spontaneous soaking as players celebrated their premiership win. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary copped a spontaneous soaking as players celebrated their premiership win. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
The Panthers enjoyed amazing support, with seven packed supporters’ buses leaving Penrith for Accor Stadium and the large majority of the 80,156 crowd being Panthers fans.
The game was played before Australian political heavyweights PM Anthony Albanese, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Premier Chris Minns and NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman, who watched the action from the NRL suite.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape also attended, as did actor Bryan Brown, swimming legend Ian Thorpe and Matildas star Kyah Simon.
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