NRL Grand Finalists: Penrith Panthers

Penrith Panthers will be out to make more history when they take on the Melbourne Storm in the NRL grand final.

The Panthers have been the dominant force in the NRL in recent seasons, winning the grand final in each of the last three seasons.

Now they get the chance to make it four in a row and can be backed at 1.91 to get the job done.

Penrith are a team that peak at the right time and rise to the occasion, just like they did in the 2023 grand final.

They snatched victory from the jaws of the defeat and that kind of character could be needed again when they face the Storm.

However, it would take a very brave person to back against the Panthers, who never know when they are beaten.

Let’s take a look at their route to the grand final and key players.

. What: Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers
. Where: Accor Stadium, Sydney
. When: 18:30 (AEST), Sunday 6th October
. How to watch: Foxtel, Kayo, Channel 9
. Odds: Melbourne Storm 1.91, Penrith Panthers 1.91

Panthers finding their form at the right time

The Panthers were not at their absolute best throughout the regular season when losing seven of the 24 games they played.

However they managed to do enough to take second place on the ladder, to give them an edge heading into the finals campaign.

A place in the top two looked in doubt at one stage as they slipped to defeat against the Storm and Canberra Raiders, but they bounced back to win the next two.

The wins over the Rabbitohs and Titans restored confidence and they took that momentum into finals.

Ivan Cleary’s men booked their place in the preliminary final with a 30-10 win over the Sydney Roosters.

The Panthers blew away the Bondi outfit in the first half to show they are finding their best form at just the right time once again.

They were just as brutal in the prelim when seeing off Cronulla Sharks 26-6.

Melbourne Storm will be a different test altogether and the Panthers will need to be at their best to make it four in a row.

However, they have made a habit of winning grand finals and will take some stopping.

Cleary the man for the big occasion

Penrith have seen some big players leave in recent seasons, but they always have someone just as talented ready to step in and fill the hole.

It has been the same in 2024 and the Panthers once again have a squad packed with quality.

One thing has been constant however, the class of Nathan Cleary, who has been huge in the last three grand final wins.

None more so than last season when he picked his side up off the canvas to guide them to victory over the Broncos.

Cleary has had injury issues this season, but he is fit and firing at the perfect time, and Penrith will feel in very save hands with him on the park.

The halfback can be backed at 4.50 to win the Clive Churchill Medal this time around.

His halves combination with Jarome Luai, who will be playing his last game for the club, will be pivotal.

Dylan Edwards is another superstar and the gun fullback has had a big season for the Panthers. He is 10.00 to win the Clive Churchill Medal.

Brian To’o and Sunia Turuva are try-scoring machines on the wing, with To’o priced at 7.50 to score the first try of the game.