Penrith holds the esteemed title of modern rugby league's greatest, a crown earned through three consecutive premierships and solidified by their narrow loss to the Storm in the 2020 grand final. But as Melbourne returns to the first weekend of October, Penrith's dynasty faces its ultimate test. Melbourne initiated this rivalry, and it is fitting that they could be the ones to end it.
Four years ago, the Storm claimed the only grand final victory between these two teams, a match watched by half a stadium due to Covid restrictions. The Panthers' impressive 20-point comeback fell just short, leaving them with momentum but no trophy. They carried that momentum for three years, securing their place as the sport's top team. However, a Melbourne win on Sunday could alter this narrative. The Panthers would end this half-decade with three wins from five grand finals, but two losses to the Storm. The whispers would begin: perhaps this era belongs just as much to Melbourne as it does to Penrith.
Indeed, the Storm were minor premiers in 2021 before narrowly losing to Penrith in the preliminary final. In 2022, they led the table until injuries derailed their season, culminating in three consecutive losses. Penrith's dominance over Melbourne last year, particularly in the preliminary final, has fueled Melbourne's drive this year, reversing the impact of the 2020 grand final.
In another scenario, where Penrith wasn't facing Melbourne on Sunday, a defeat wouldn't diminish their three-peat glory. But a Melbourne win would necessitate a reevaluation of recent history. This is the beauty of the 2024 grand final: just when Penrith seems to have proven everything, they must prove themselves once more. Remarkably, the team often hailed as the greatest ever enters the match as the narrow underdog.
The reason lies in turnover, as the club's success makes it impossible to retain elite players under the salary cap. Penrith has already lost key contributors like Stephen Crichton, Viliame Kikau, and Api Koroisau, who moved for better opportunities. They will lose three more—five-eighth Jarome Luai, prop James Fisher-Harris, and winger Sunia Turuva—after Sunday's game. This season has been dubbed 'the last ride' by players and fans.
Fullback Dylan Edwards acknowledges the reality: 'We'd love to keep everyone together, but you can't be that naive to think that it's going to happen. You can't blame anyone for going to get more money.' Luai and Fisher-Harris, who have been with the club from the start, are moving on for substantial pay increases and family reasons, respectively. Co-captain Isaah Yeo calls them 'cultural architects' of the club's success, emphasizing that playing one more match together would be 'special,' especially if they win.
Fisher-Harris is the team's quiet enforcer. Luai joked that the New Zealander has always been his bodyguard. Co-captain Nathan Cleary expanded on this, saying Fisher-Harris has been everyone's bodyguard, and his absence will be deeply felt next year. Cleary himself has faced a season marred by hamstring and shoulder injuries, the latter requiring surgery in the off-season and causing discomfort in the preliminary final. Melbourne has publicly stated they won't target him, but the Panthers' playmaker, who almost single-handedly won last year's grand final, will face physical challenges.
His counterpart is Jahrome Hughes, the newly crowned Dally M player of the year, who this week described Cleary as the best player in the world. However, no one has been as effective as the Storm's No 7 this season, part of the team's stellar spine including captain and hooker Harry Grant, five-eighth Cam Munster, and fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, who has returned to near his best after a series of injuries.
The minor premiers will be without their influential middle, Nelson Asofa-Solomon, suspended for a high tackle in the preliminary final. Coach Craig Bellamy confirmed Lazarus Vaalepu, in just his sixth NRL game, would move to the bench. Right-sided backrower Eli Katoa, named in the Dally M team of the year, is one of the Storm's biggest threats. Bellamy praised Katoa, saying, 'I couldn't imagine there's been a better buy in the competition than what he's done for us this year.' His connection with Hughes was highlighted when Katoa performed the haka for his halfback alongside teammates Will Warbrick and Canberra's Joe Tapine at the Dally M awards.
In addition to center Nick Meaney and the dynamic Papenhuyzen, Hughes and Katoa have made the Storm's right side formidable, scoring 59 tries there, the most in the competition according to Stats Insider. But Penrith's left side has conceded the fewest tries, making the duel on that side a compelling subplot. The main narrative, however, is Penrith. If their three-peat last year was barely believable, a win here—against the most worthy of challengers—would be their greatest victory. The last ride, given a fitting climax.
