Panthers become premiers for first time in 2003Reynolds skews decisive late conversion wideSouth
Sydney seemingly had it coming. They had it coming 16 minutes in when four defenders mustered all they had to halt 97kg of pure Brian To’o muscle mere inches short of their line. So too in the 19th, when their defence was stretched and then snapped by Matt Burton and Matt Cleary ensured the match’s opening four points became six. And even in the 22nd, after Cody Walker pulled an equalising try out of nothing, the Brisbane air was already whispering that this might well be Penrith’s night.
The 2021 NRL grand final has hardly been a story of certainty. Less than 24 hours ago there was no guarantee it would even be played this week let alone at Suncorp Stadium. Likewise, many would have bet against the Panthers making it this far when they lost to this very opponent in the qualifying finals three weeks ago, before Souths enjoyed a rest and then a big win against Manly. Ivan Cleary’s team, conversely, took the hard route. But after they eked past the Eels, they dismantled the Storm. Once Melbourne had been conquered, anything was possible.