The Penrith Panthers have completed a remarkable comeback against the Brisbane Broncos to claim their third straight premiership in a Grand Final that will be remembered for years to come.
The Broncos skipped out to a 24-8 lead with 18 minutes to go before Nathan Cleary took over the game and led the Panthers to yet another Grand Final win.
The Broncos were gallant in defeat but The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio said Kevin Walters’ men would regret how they used the ball and how reckless they were in attack.
“Penrith have only lost three times in three years against a team that has a completion rate of less than 78%,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“The Broncos completed at 70% last night. To kick to a 24-8 lead with that poor a completion rate is extraordinary.
“Ultimately, it became the Broncos’ Achilles heel to what has been their season.
“In the review process for the Broncos going forward next year, their ability to play the 80 minutes in arm wrestle against the best-of-the best and the elite like Penrith must be (examined).
“Penrith completed at 97% on Sunday night. It was one incompleted set. 36 completed sets out of a possible 37. It’s extraordinary.
“If the Broncos are to improve as a football side, you cannot go into a season with an average completion rate of 78% and win the Premiership.”
The Broncos at one stage had only completed two of their first six sets. Reece Walsh and Herbie Farnworth were the major culprits with three errors each.
The Broncos have a young core group of players and Riccio believes losing a Grand Final in that manner will help Brisbane in the long run.
“It’s maturity and it’s risk v reward and about what time you do it in the game,” Riccio continued.
“The Broncos made 11 errors to one. Penrith had more offloads 12-10 but it was about when Brisbane were doing it.
“Maturity for the Broncos is where they must go next.
“They have to work on respecting the footy.”
The Broncos lose Thomas Flegler and Herbie Farnworth to the Dolphins in 2024.