Penrith has secured a place in their fifth consecutive NRL grand final by defeating Cronulla 26-6, setting the stage for a rematch with the Melbourne Storm, whom they faced in the 2020 final.
Nathan Cleary was the highlight of 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 goals out of five attempts.
However, concerns about the halfback’s fitness may arise ahead of next Sunday’s clash with the Storm, as he appeared to sustain a shoulder injury after a late tackle but managed to continue playing until being substituted for precautionary reasons with five minutes remaining.
Cleary, who previously missed nine weeks of the season due to shoulder instability, reassured that his shoulder felt “all good” post-match.
Cronulla fought valiantly throughout the contest but found it difficult to capitalize on their opportunities. Sharks head coach Craig Fitzgibbon acknowledged the lesson learned about handling pressure at critical moments.
“They’re in the middle of a dynasty, and we’re still developing; there’s a noticeable gap, and we’re not quite there yet,” he remarked during the post-match press conference. “I’m really excited about our potential, but losing is always tough.”
As the Panthers prepare to chase their fourth consecutive premiership, they will meet the Storm on Sunday, October 6. If successful, they would achieve a milestone not seen since St George’s 11 consecutive titles from 1956 to 1966. This achievement also marks the first time a team has reached five straight grand finals since South Sydney from 1967 to 1971.