NRL Grand Final, Tips and Previews
Panthers vs. Rabbitohs
October 3rd
It probably was not the Grand Final many a league fan would have expected.
Regardless, what a spectacle we are set for when Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs greet each other for the NRL Grand Final.
It has been a finals series full of twists and turns that not many could have predicted and if the qualifying final played between the Panthers and Rabbitohs is anything to go by then we are in for a cracker.
The heartbreak of the 2020 grand final loss would have cut deep and the remnants of that gut-wrenching defeat took one more step to being a thing of the past when the Panthers toppled Melbourne in a famous preliminary final win at Suncorp Stadium.
The battle-hardened Panthers played their second brutal encounter in as many weeks after a bruising 8-6 victory against Parramatta was followed up by a 10-6 win last weekend.
The Rabbitohs, meanwhile, made light work of Manly to record a big win on the back of their regular point-scoring crew comprising of Jaxson Paulo, Cody Walker and Alex Johnston.
Souths coach Craig Bennett has already taken the scalp of Ivan Clearly in the finals with a 16-10 win in the first week, but what must be respected is that fact the Panthers were installed as the $1.33 favourite that night.
Nathan Cleary is going to be tasked with ensuring the offensive and defensive set-up of his team mates is in order.
Having already had a sighter at what the Rabbitohs dished up a weeks ago, he and his brother Ivan would have learnt from the mistakes made in the six-point defeat.
The Panthers did the season double over the Souths after two brilliant offensive displays saw them run out 56-12 victors in Round 11 and 25-12 winners in Round 23.
That is the form line we are banking will come to the fore in this grand final.
SUGGESTED BET:
Panthers head to head at $1.66
Clive Churchill Medal
October 3rd
There are a host of chances to take out the Clive Churchill Medal this year.
But having predicted a grand-final win in favour of the Panthers, there is one man who will be relied upon and one man who will lead the line, set the tone and be pivotal in the result.
Nathan Cleary.
The Panthers co-captain and star halfback has been instrumental this year with 10 tries and 19 try assists.
He ranked third for points scored this season as well with 219 and it is that body of work that breeds confidence he will be the best player on the park come Sunday night.
