Penrith has defeated Cronulla 26-6, securing their fifth consecutive NRL grand final appearance, setting the stage for a rematch against the Melbourne Storm, the team they faced in 2020.
Nathan Cleary was the standout player in Saturday’s preliminary final at Stadium Australia, contributing to three of Penrith’s four tries, executing a crucial 40/20 kick, and successfully converting four out of five goal attempts.
However, Cleary’s fitness may be a concern ahead of the grand final next Sunday, after he appeared to sustain a left shoulder injury when he emerged from a tackle late in the match. Although he continued defending after the incident, he was substituted as a precaution with five minutes remaining.
The 26-year-old halfback had previously missed nine weeks of the season due to ongoing shoulder issues, but he reassured ABC Sport post-match that the shoulder felt “all good.”
The Sharks put up a brave fight throughout the match but struggled to capitalize on their opportunities. Cronulla’s coach, Craig Fitzgibbon, remarked that his team learned a valuable lesson about handling pressure and performing at crucial moments.
“They’re a team in the middle of a dynasty, and we’re still in our development phase; there’s a difference, and we’re not quite at that level yet,” he stated during his post-match press conference. “I’m really excited about our potential here… but I dislike losing.”
The Panthers will strive for their fourth consecutive premiership when they face the Storm on Sunday, October 6, a remarkable accomplishment not seen since St George’s eleven wins in a row from 1956 to 1966.
They become the first team to reach five consecutive grand finals since South Sydney achieved the feat from 1967 to 1971.