Having been NRL champions for the last three seasons, Melbourne Storm have the opportunity to end Penrith Panthers’ reign of domination when these sides clash in the highly-anticipated grand final on Sunday night.
It’s a final many will have wanted to see, as the two best teams in the modern era prepare to clash at Accor Stadium, with only one side set to leave victorious.
With Melbourne currently 1.90 to win and Penrith 1.95, it just shows how evenly matched these teams are and why there is so much anticipation about Sunday’s showdown in Sydney.
. 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 1.90, Penrith Panthers 1.95
There’s little doubt Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers have been the standout teams in the modern NRL era.
Of the last eight grand finals, the Panthers or Storm have appeared in seven of the showpiece events, with only the Sydney Roosters clash against the Canberra Raiders in 2019 breaking the run.
The Roosters and Cronulla Sharks gave the eventual finalists a run for their money in the preliminary finals but the quality of Melbourne and Penrith was too strong over the 80 minutes.
This game could be an all-time classic on Sunday and the halfbacks of both teams will have a big say on which set of fans will be left smiling come the full-time whistle at Accor Stadium.
For Melbourne, the Storm are blessed with the talented pairing of Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes.
Meanwhile, Penrith’s pairing of Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary have been key to the Panthers' success in recent years.
Sunday will be their last time taking the field together, with Luai putting pen to paper on a five-year deal with Wests Tigers to start next season.
Both Luai and Cleary will want to see their formidable partnership finish on a high and see Penrith break new ground by becoming the first time to win the grand final four seasons running.
When it comes to the tryscorer market, there are a number of high-profile flyers to keep an eye on.
Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored nine tries in 11 games against the Storm and is 2.20 in the anytime tryscorer market and 8.00 to go over for the first try of the game.
Meanwhile, Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has managed to score a try in all four games he has played at Accor Stadium.
Clearly a happy hunting ground for Papenhuyzen, the Storm star is available at 2.70 to continue that run in the anytime tryscorer market, while he’s currently 11.00 to score the opening try of this mouth-watering grand final.
When it comes to match combos, Cameron Munster or Cleary to score a try is 2.50, while Hughes or Dylan Edwards to win the Clive Churchill Medal is available at 4.00.