The Penrith Panthers are the 2023 NRL Premiers after a 26-24 win over the Brisbane Broncos in an all-time Grand Final at Accor Stadium on Sunday night.
In a tense and thrilling game, which saw both sides dominate long stints of the game, it was Nathan Cleary who had the final say and claimed his second Clive Churchill Medal.
Penrith started the game on the front foot, flexing its premiership muscle by forcing Brisbane into two uncharacteristic mistakes early in the game.
Holding off some early pressure from Penrith, the Broncos turned the tide of the game after a picture-perfect 40/20 kick from Billy Walters.
Despite coming short in the following set, the Broncos fired their first shot back at Penrith after the tough start.
Brisbane’s first attacking chance would be its last one for the next 15 minutes as the rampant Panthers began to take firm control of the game.
Forcing the Broncos into five errors in the opening stages and a set completion rate of 40 per cent, it was all one way traffic and a matter of time before Penrith scored.
The first try of the game came through a blunder from Herbie Farnworth, who hit down a drop-out straight into the path of Mitch Kenny allowing him to walk over the line untouched.
After being on the back foot for the majority of the first half, the Broncos looked moments away from conceding another try and potentially falling out of the contest.
The return of Thomas Flegler onto the field made a massive difference for the Broncos' yardage battle and eventually led to their first try, as the imposing prop barged his over metres away from the line.
Flegler’s try reduced the deficit to two points heading into the break, leaving the scoreline as a very flattering one for Brisbane.
Brisbane came out in the second half as a much more improved side that was able to get through its sets more often and at a rapid pace.
Ezra Mam made his mark on the game in the 44th minute with a sensational solo try from his own half to put Brisbane in the lead.
The rapid five-eighth put the burners on again moments later, scoring a second try on the back of a determined run from Reece Walsh to extend Brisbane’s lead.
Mam put one hand on the Clive Churchill Medal in the 54th minute, sealing a sensational hat trick with another incredible display of speed to give the Broncos a 16-point lead.
With the game seemingly out of reach for Penrith, coming off the bench it was Jack Cogger who sparked a stellar revival for the reigning premiers.
Setting up Moses Leota in the 62nd minute, the playmaker’s connection with Nathan Cleary led to the Panthers scoring again through Stephen Crichton to put the game back within four points.
As the minutes ticked away, Cleary took Penrith on his back and scored the biggest try of his career to setup a game-winning kick in front of the posts.
Sealing the game with three game-changing try involvments Cleary was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal.