And then there were two.
The 2022 NRL season has come down to a battle between the two western Sydney powerhouses in their first ever Grand Final meeting.
For the Eels, the chance to break a premiership drought that stretches back to 1986. For the Panthers, a shot at back-to-back titles and a fourth overall for the club.
The Panthers dominated the regular season and put paid to Parramatta in week one of the finals to advance to the Preliminary Final where they took care of the Rabbitohs to advance to a third successive decider.
The Eels finished fourth and were the only team to beat Penrith twice during the home and away season – 22-20 in Round 9 at BlueBet Stadium and 34-10 at CommBank Stadium in Round 20.
A history making decider awaits
The Rundown
Team News
Panthers: Winger Taylan May has failed to overcome a hamstring injury and will miss the decider. Charlie Staines gets his chance after being on standby for Dylan Edwards in last year's Grand Final. Viliame Kikau and Staines were both charged with shoulder charge offences in the win over the Rabbitohs but are free to play after attracting monetary fines only. Thirteen of the 17 players named on Tuesday took part in last year's Grand Final win over Souths. The new faces are Staines, Izack Tago, Mitch Kenny and Jaeman Salmon.
NRL Teamlist Video: Grand Final
Eels: Dylan Brown didn't train on Tuesday but is not in doubt to miss the game. Tom Opacic also didn't train, and was officially ruled out of contention by the Eels on Thursday despite being named among the reserves. Nathan Brown has been recalled to the bench for his first game since Round 17, replacing Bryce Cartwright.
Match: Panthers v Eels
Grand Final -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Eels
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
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Winger for Panthers is number 2 Charlie StainesWinger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
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Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
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Centre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Eels is number 4 Bailey Simonsson
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Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Eels is number 5 Waqa Blake
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Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
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Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
Forwards
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Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
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Hooker for Panthers is number 14 Mitch KennyHooker for Eels is number 9 Reed Mahoney
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Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Isaiah Papali'i
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Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Eels is number 17 Marata Niukore
Interchange
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Interchange for Panthers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauInterchange for Eels is number 13 Ryan Matterson
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Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott SorensenInterchange for Eels is number 14 Nathan Brown
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Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Spencer LeniuInterchange for Eels is number 15 Jake Arthur
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Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Jaeman SalmonInterchange for Eels is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
Reserves
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Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Sean O'SullivanReplacement for Eels is number 18 Bryce Cartwright
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Key Match-ups
Nathan Cleary v Mitchell Moses: After a couple of shaky moments in the first half in Townsville, Moses found his groove and steered the Eels into the decider with a calm and composed second term. Cleary was at his calculating best against the Bunnies, coming up with one try, one try assist and some brilliant kicking to carry his team into a third straight grand final. The game’s premier playmaker now has the chance to cement his legacy with another grand final victory and will look to roll that into World Cup glory with the Kangaroos. The kicking game of the two No.7s holds the key to victory on the game’s biggest stage and the man who retains his composure best will take home a premiership ring and quite possibly a Clive Churchill Medal for good measure.
James Fisher-Harris v Reagan Campbell-Gillard: Wind these two enforcers up and watch them go in the early exchanges. The Panthers’ forward leader averages 146 metres per game this season and sets the tone with his powerhouse charges and ability to draw in defenders and slip an offload. Campbell-Gillard was magnificent for the Eels in their Preliminary Final victory over the Cowboys, running for 149 metres and scoring two tries as the blue and gold progressed to their first decider since 2009. Both men seem likely to feature at the World Cup for their respective nations and will carry huge momentum into the showpiece event if they can cap the season with a premiership.
Panthers v Eels: Grand Final
Stat Attack
The Panthers have won 66 of their 77 matches since the start of the 2020 season, with 10 losses and one draw. Their finals record across the past three seasons is seven wins and two losses, which includes the defeat in the 2020 decider at the hands of the Storm. Their only other finals loss came against Souths in Week 1 of last year’s finals. After one loss and three narrow wins in the 2021 finals the Panthers have flexed their muscles in 2022 with a 19-point win over the Eels in the Qualifying Final and a 32-12 win over the Rabbitohs in the Preliminary Final.
