The dust has settled and the Penrith Panthers have officially etched their name into the history books after securing a physical 14-6 win over the Melbourne Storm.
Every player on the field gave everything they got, but as always, champions were forged and others were left bitterly disappointed.
Find out who rated the highest for the rampaging Penrith Panthers and who fell short for the Melbourne Storm
Penrith Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 8.5
Reliable and busy as always, with a lapse of concentration against Katoa the only blip on an otherwise solid game. Huge run in the second half as the Storm defence grew tired. He was virtually unstoppable with 201 metres including 89 post-contact metres and was flawless when called on in defence.
2. Sunia Turuva – 7.5
His huge year continued with his 17th try of the year and let Melbourne Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes know all about it as well. Had another on a plate from a Luai kick, but spilled his lollies. Huge play in the second half to almost set up Henry for a try.
3. Izack Tago – 7
Very busy in defence but struggled to get his hands on the ball in attack. Gave away a silly penalty with some nonsense on Papenhuyzen that his team could have done without. Came up with a massive tackle on Nick Meaney to prevent a try when it mattered.
Panthers star Paul Alamoti had a huge night and was rewarded with a try for his effort
4. Paul Alamoti – 7.5
The former Bulldog very strong first half with four tackle breaks as the Storm defence struggled to shut him down. Rewarded with a try for his efforts when pushed out from the right centre spot to the left wing in the absence of To’o who had left the field injured.
5. Brian To’o – 7
Another Penrith back with four tackle breaks in the first half and almost burrowed over for a try only to be stopped in a strong Ryan Papenhuyzen tackle. Came off with a knee injury at the 60th minute following a clash with a Storm player, but bravely got it strapped up and returned to the sideline in case he was required again.
6. Jarome Luai – 6
Busted the Melbourne line up early and helped lay the platform for the Panthers while Cleary was bumped out of the action in the early exchanges before settling back into the role of deputy for his skipper.
Any questions over Nathan Cleary’s ability in big games have surely been put to bed after this performance in his fifth NRL grand final
7. Nathan Cleary (C) – 9
Struggled positionally early as the Storm hammered him, but showed his class to set up both tries in the first half despite desperate Storm defence. Took on the line like a man possessed, with 19 runs and 143 run metres in the first half to go along with four tackle breaks and his two try assists. The fact he needs surgery for a busted shoulder makes this performance even more impressive. Has surely silenced the doubters who say he can’t perform in big games now.
8. Moses Leota – 4
A very quiet night for the big prop. Just seven hitups and 75 metres, well below par for the Samoan and New Zealand international.
9. Mitch Kenny – 8.5
The Energizer Bunny of the Panthers just kept bobbing around like a rabbit being chased even though he had to make 53 tackles throughout the match.
10. James Fisher-Harris – 8.5
One, final big performance from the hulking Kiwi before he departs for the New Zealand Warriors. His efforts will be sorely missed by the Panthers. Finished with 157 metres and 31 tackles with just a single miss.
12. Liam Martin – 9
Made it his personal mission to knock Munster out of the game. Was an omnipresent threat in attack and got his reward with a meat pie late in the first half. Was stunned to find himself with the line open and the ball in his hands, eventually setting up Alamoti. A deserved Clive Churchill Medal winner.
19. Scott Sorensen – 8.5
A last minute inclusion after injuring his hamstring in the final round of the regular season. Played almost every minute of the grand final and was close to flawless in attack and defence. A welcome addition for the Panthers who locked up his edge and did his job exceptionally well, especially after missing the previous finals matches.
A true captain’s knock from Isaah Yeo who was easily one of the best Panthers on the paddock
13. Isaah Yeo (C) – 9
Had 99 metres and 21 tackles in the first half alone. What more can be said about Penrith’s champion lock and co-captain? Ran for a gut-busting 233 metres and had 45 tackles in a grand final performance that overshadows some truly great performances in the past by the likes of Paul Gallen and Jason Taumalolo. Has his fingerprints over all four Penrith premiership trophies.
Interchange:
14.Luke Garner – 7
Unlucky to be benched because of the return of Sorensen. Was moved to right centre in the second half with To’o forced from the field. Only played about 30 minutes but was reliable and adaptable which gives him an extra point.
14. Brad Schneider – N/A
Was not required by coach Ivan Cleary.
15. Lindsay Smith – 7
Had 30 tackles and 134 metres in a willing performance off the bench. Did his job which is all anybody could ask him to do.
16. Liam Henry – 6
Came agonisingly close to a grand final try after an incredible play from Turuva. Was strong in defence in his limited time on the field.
Melbourne Storm
Electric fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen troubled the Penrith backline regularly but could not find reward for his efforts
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen – 6.5
Came up with a huge error after Penrith points, piloting the kick off out on the full to hand the ball straight back to the Panthers in strong field position. Made up for it with a strong tackle to stop a rampant Brian To’o. Had a couple of big runs but could not find the tryline. Ran for 146 metres in a strong grand final performance.
2. Will Warbrick – 7
Not the best first half, with a lack of carries and two errors putting pressure on his side. That all changed in the second half as he piled on 177 metres to put pressure on the Panthers. Unlucky not to be rewarded with a try which could have kept the Storm in the match.
3. Jack Howarth – 6
Was isolated by Cleary to set up the Liam Martin try in the first half. Looked to have hit back for the Storm in the second half but bunker referee Grant Atkins ruled he was held up. Was solid and reliable without being exceptional.
4. Nick Meaney – 5
Came up with a huge play early to gain possession for his side but it didn’t lead to points. Battled defensively with five missed or ineffective tackles in the first half. Was shut down by Tago with the line in sight.
5. Xavier Coates – 7.5
Was targeted by Cleary under the high ball and was shaky at times, only avoiding a knock on thanks to Munster being there to clean up the scraps. Another knock on trying to put pressure on Dylan Edwards. A great bit of aerial work that looked to have set up Howarth for try, only for him to be ruled held up. Ran for over 210 metres and seemed the most likely to bust the Penrith line when everybody else was exhausted. A strong game from the Maroons Origin star.
6. Cameron Munster – 5
Read the play beautifully to shut down Cleary on an attacking raid. Was Johnny on the spot when Coates dropped a Penrith bomb, cleaning up and retaining possession. Struggled for impact in the second half and came up with a crucial error. Defended courageously but could not deliver the magician’s tricks he is normally known for in big games. Was placed on report for allegations of biting Alamoti, which he fiercely protested on the field.
7. Jahrome Hughes – 6
The Dally M award winner copped a whack in the chops without earning a penalty as referee Ashley Klein signalled his intent to let the game flow. Kicking game was on song in the first half, ensuring Penrith had to cart the ball up from their own end. That impact dried up as the Melbourne forwards were worn out and unable to provide the platform he needed.
8. Tui Kamikamica – 3
Promoted to the starting lineup in the absence of Nelson Asofa-Solomona, he got through a stack of work early with 15 tackles in 15 minutes. Was then benched and not sighted again.
Melbourne Storm hooker Harry Grant was electric in attack but battled in defence at times
9. Harry Grant – 7.5
The Dally M Hooker of the Year crashed through to score the opening try after an intense opening 20 minutes. Had four ineffective tackles and four misses in the first half, including the one that led to the Liam Martin try. Was eventually ground down by a weight of defence, forced to make tackles to try and save the game for his side. But courageously kept getting up like Rocky from the canvass for more work. Extra marks for sheer effort.
10. Josh King – 4
Another forward that couldn’t crack the magical 100 metre mark and missed five tackles, not good for a starting prop in a grand final. Did make 36 tackles though as the relentless Panthers offence kept coming his way.
11. Shawn Blore – 5
Was all over Nathan Cleary like a cheap suit in the opening half but the ploy didn’t lock down the Panthers playmaker like the Storm would have hoped. Just managed to crack the 100 metre mark and like most Melbourne players, was nullified by having to make a huge number of tackles that sapped his ability to contribute in offence.
It was a huge performance from Melbourne Storm second-rower Eliesa Katoa on the edge
12. Eliesa Katoa – 8.5
A wonderful, desperate tackle denied Sunia Turuva a try that would have given Penrith the lead. Smart play to force a Dylan Edwards error. Came up with huge tackles time after time. Finished with 135 metres and 46 tackles. Can hold his head up high for not giving up no matter how hard the going got.
13. Trent Loiero – 7
A tireless performance with some gutbusting runs and 25 tackles in the opening 30 minutes alone. A desperate ankle tap stopped Cleary from running away for a try. We’re starting to sound like a broken record here, but he was unable to contribute much in attack but wasn’t really able to after having to make 49 tackles.
Interchange
14. Tyran Wishart – 7
A fair performance off the bench for Melbourne’s Mr Fix-it, with eight carries, 81 metres, two tackle breaks and 28 tackles. Unfortunately will join his famous father Rod as a grand final runner-up.
15. Christian Welch – 7
Some strong runs and two offloads in a brief cameo of just 20 minutes by the former Queensland State of Origin star. Perhaps should have played more minutes.
16. Lazarus Va’alepu – 5
The most inexperienced grand final player since Steve Price lined up for the Bulldogs in the 1994 grand final. Was pitched into the action with 13 minutes left on the clock. The fact he had to make 10 tackles in that time highlights how much work the Storm forwards had to do.
17. Alec MacDonald – 4
Came up with a simple error in his first carry to give Penrith prime field position. Could not contribute anything in attack but rattled up 37 tackles.
