Stephen Crichton of the Panthers is tackled by Keaon Koloamatangi of the Rabbitohs during the NRL Qualifying Final match. Photo /Getty
Stephen Crichton of the Panthers is tackled by Keaon Koloamatangi of the Rabbitohs during the NRL Qualifying Final match. Photo /Getty
All you need to know ahead of the NRL grand final clash between the Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs, kickoff at 9.30pm:
Another Covid-affected NRL season will reach its conclusion on Sunday night when Penrith takes on South Sydney in the grand final with Brisbane hosting the event forthe first time.
The Rabbitohs will be looking to back up their 2014 premiership with another grand final win, while the Panthers are aiming to break an 18-year drought.
Penrith has had the wood over the Rabbitohs in the last couple of years, but the Bunnies turned the form guide on its head with an impressive 16-10 victory in the first week of the finals.
However, the Panthers have been rock solid since then, coming out on top in hard-fought battles against Parramatta and Melbourne.
Penrith Panthers captain Isaah Yeo and South Sydney Rabbitohs captain Adam Reynolds. Photo / Getty
Are the Warriors in it?
No, sorry. Next year is their year though.
Will there be fans?
The game is set to proceed at 75 per cent capacity in accordance with new regulations implemented by the Queensland Government on Thursday.
Grand final history
The Rabbitohs lead the NRL in all-time premierships with 21 but they have just one title, 2014, since 1971. On the other hand, they haven't lost a final since 1969.
It will be Penrith's fifth trip to the grand final since being established in 1966. The Panthers have two premierships to their name - 1991 and 2003. Their maiden title came a year after losing the final and they'll look to repeat that this year after being runners-up to the Melbourne Storm last year.
The two sides have never met in a grand final.
Ivan Clearly is 0-2 as a coach in grand finals (2011 with Warriors and last season with the Panthers), while Wayne Bennett has won seven premierships - six with the Broncos and one with the Dragons.
Teams
Panthers 1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Stephen Crichton, 3. Paul Momirovski, 4. Matt Burton, 5. Brian To'o, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Moses Leota, 9. Apisai Koroisau, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Isaah Yeo. Interchange: 14. Tyrone May, 15. Scott Sorensen, 16. Spencer Leniu, 17. Liam Martin.
Rabbitohs 1. Blake Taaffe, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Campbell Graham, 5. Jaxson Paulo, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Mark Nicholls, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Tevita Tatola, 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Jaydn Su'A, 13. Cameron Murray. Interchange: 14. Benji Marshall, 15. Jacob Host, 16. Thomas Burgess, 17. Jai Arrow.
Kiwis in the game
Panthers prop James Fisher-Harris is Kiwis international 801 and starts in his second straight final. Benji Marshall is on the Rabbitohs bench and will look to win another premiership after leading the Tigers over the Cowboys in 2005.
Aussie singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke will sing the national anthem ahead of kick-off, and will lead the pre-match entertainment alongside Cold Chisel founding member Ian Moss. Miller-Heidke represented Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2019, performing her song "Zero Gravity".
They will be joined by globetrotting DJs The Stafford Brothers, live instrumentalist Timmy Trumpet, internationally acclaimed didgeridoo player William Barton and a 40-piece orchestra.
Odds
Panthers $1.66 Rabbitohs $2.18
Weather
No chance of rain in Brisbane with a temperature of around 19c at kickoff.
How to catch the action
The Herald will provide live updates.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 1, with coverage beginning at 10pm. If you want to watch the match online, you can stream the game live via Sky Sport Now.
