The Penrith Panthers have beaten the South Sydney Rabbitohs 14-12 to win the 2021 NRL grand final.
A Stephen Crichton intercept try in the 67th minute proved the difference, before the Rabbitohs missed two late chances to tie the game.
The Panthers dominated field position and scored the first try through Matt Burton in the 17th minute.
Cody Walker answered back with a superb solo effort and Penrith, despite having 58% of possession only led by a penalty goal at the break.
The Rabbitohs levelled with one of their own just after the start of the second half and held off attack after attack from a rampaging Panthers outfit over the next 20 minutes, only for Walker's all-or-nothing cut-out pass to end up in the hands of Crichton, who went 40 metres to score.
The Rabbitohs still had time to hit back, and turned to their trusty left-side attack, with winger Alex Johnston scoring in the corner with six minutes left.
But Adam Reynolds, could not slot the sideline conversion and later missed a rushed attempt at a two-point field goal that would have sent the game to extra time.
In the end, Penrith held on for the two-point victory, with superstar halfback Nathan Cleary winning the Clive Churchill Medal.
[Source: abc.net.au]
75' CONVERSION MISSED! - Adam Reynolds kick is no good. Panthers lead 14-12.
80' - Reynolds takes a shot at a two-point field goal! And it's no good.
74' The Rabbitohs now have a red hot chance of levelling the scores. Alex Johnston crosses over for the Rabbitohs. Panthers lead 14-12
66' TRY TIME! The Panthers now lead 12-8. Stephen Crichton scores through a beautiful intercept. He read that ball really really well. There's 12 minutes to go.
44' - PENALTY SHOT-MADE. A good kick by Adam Reynolds. Panthers and Rabbitohs are level 8-all
41' WE'RE BACK UNDERWAY. The most important half of footy all year has started.
HALFTIME - Panthers lead Rabbitohs 8-6
32' - PENALTY SHOT MADE ! Nathan Cleary clears it. Panthers lead Rabbitohs 8-6.
22' - CONVERSION MADE - Reynolds knocks the extras over from in line with the left post, and we're all tied up! PANTHERS AND RABBITOHS LOCKED 6-ALL IN THE GRAND FINAL.
21' - TRY! Cody Walker charges through the Panthers defence for the Rabbitohs first try of the night. PANTHERS LEAD RABBITOHS 6-4.
17' TRY ! - The Panthers strike first in the Grand Final! They attacked the posts for a number of plays earlier in the set, setting up for a big play over to the left edge on the last play. Campbell Graham flew in from the outside trying to make the big play, but couldn't shut the backline down and Luai put Burton into a big hole. The centre had a clear run to the left corner and never had a hand laid on him! PANTHERS LEAD 6-NIL
1’KICK OFF - Gerard Sutton blows time on and Adam Reynolds kicks off down to the Penrith goal line to start things off. The Panthers roll down the centre of the park past the 30 on the third play, with Yeo then carting the ball into Rabbitohs' territory on the fifth. Cleary's kick on the last is down into the corner, returned back to the 20 by Taaffe.
Now we are onto pre-match formalities. It's the Acknowledgement of Country first, delivered by Jonathan Thurston, before the playing of the Australian national anthem.
Out come the sides onto Suncorp, with Rabbitohs flags flying everywhere. They take the field first, with the Panthers - led out by Nathan Cleary - following moments later.
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