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Competition - NSWRL SG Ball Grand Final Penrith Panthers v Illawarra Steelers - Saturday 7 May 2016, Pepper Stadium, Penrith NSW - Photographer Shane Myers © nrlphotos.com

The Panthers SG Ball side are officially the best under-18s team in the country after defeating Townsville Blackhawks 38-28 in Brisbane.

The young Panthers, who last week won the NSW competition, opened the scoring against the Queensland champions through captain Sean O'Sullivan.

The Blackhawks soon hit back but the Panthers re-took the lead courtesy of a try to winger Jake Tago.

Billy Leniu was next to cross the chalk for the Panthers, before Tago grabbed his second and helped give the Panthers a 24-10 lead at the break.

Townsville closed to within two points early in the second half but the Panthers pulled away through tries to Brian Too and William Burns.

Despite conceding a late try, the Panthers held on for victory and claimed the national junior title.

Dummy-half Treymaine Brown was awarded Man Of The Match honours after a solid year for the Panthers.