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2021 NRL finals series

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2021 NRL finals series
Duration10 September 2021 – 3 October 2021
Teams8
Premiers Penrith Panthers
Minor premiers Melbourne Storm
Matches played9
Broadcast partnersNine Network
Fox League

The 2021 National Rugby League finals series was a tournament staged to determine the winner of the 2021 Telstra Premiership season. The series was played over four weekends in September and October, culminating in the 2021 NRL Grand Final on 3 October 2021. Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in New South Wales the grand final was played outside of Sydney for the first time in competition history, at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.[1]

The top eight teams from the 2021 NRL season qualified for the finals series. NRL finals series have been played under the current format since 2012.

Qualification

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 Melbourne Storm 24 21 0 3 1 815 316 +499 44
2 Penrith Panthers (P) 24 21 0 3 1 676 286 +390 44
3 South Sydney Rabbitohs 24 20 0 4 1 775 453 +322 42
4 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 24 16 0 8 1 744 492 +252 34
5 Sydney Roosters 24 16 0 8 1 630 489 +141 34
6 Parramatta Eels 24 15 0 9 1 566 457 +109 32
7 Newcastle Knights 24 12 0 12 1 428 571 −143 26
8 Gold Coast Titans 24 10 0 14 1 580 583 −3 22
9 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24 10 0 14 1 520 556 −36 22
10 Canberra Raiders 24 10 0 14 1 481 578 −97 22
11 St. George Illawarra Dragons 24 8 0 16 1 474 616 −142 18
12 New Zealand Warriors 24 8 0 16 1 453 624 −171 18
13 Wests Tigers 24 8 0 16 1 500 714 −214 18
14 Brisbane Broncos 24 7 0 17 1 446 695 −249 16
15 North Queensland Cowboys 24 7 0 17 1 460 748 −288 16
16 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 24 3 0 21 1 340 710 −370 8

Venues

[edit]

As a result of the 2021 NRL season's relocation to Queensland due to the COVID-19 pandemic in New South Wales and Victoria, all the finals matches were hosted in Queensland with stadiums at full capacity, with the only exception being the grand final at 75% capacity as a result of local COVID-19 cases and Queensland Government restrictions.[2][3] This saw Rockhampton and Mackay host their first finals matches, whilst Queensland Country Bank Stadium also played host to their first finals at the venue.

Brisbane Mackay Rockhampton
Suncorp Stadium BB Print Stadium Browne Park
Capacity: 52,500 Capacity: 12,200 Capacity: 8,000
Games: 3 Games: 2 Games: 1
Sunshine Coast Townsville
Sunshine Coast Stadium Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Capacity: 12,000 Capacity: 25,000
Games: 1 Games: 2

Finals structure

[edit]

The system used for the 2021 NRL finals series is a final eight system. The top four teams in the eight receive the "double chance" when they play in week-one qualifying finals, such that if a top-four team loses in the first week it still remains in the finals, playing a semi-final the next week against the winner of an elimination final. The bottom four of the eight play knock-out games – only the winners survive and move on to the next week. Home ground advantage goes to the team with the higher ladder position in the first two weeks and to the qualifying final winners in the third week.

In the second week, the winners of the qualifying finals receive a bye to the third week. The losers of the qualifying final plays the elimination finals winners in a semi-final. In the third week, the winners of the semi-finals from week two play the winners of the qualifying finals in the first week. The winners of those matches move on to the Grand Final.[4]

Bracket

[edit]
Qualifying and elimination finalsSemi-finalsPreliminary finalsGrand final
10 September – Sunshine Coast
1 Melbourne Storm40
4 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles1217 September – Mackay
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles42
11 September – Townsville Sydney Roosters625 September – Brisbane
5 Sydney Roosters25 Melbourne Storm6
8 Gold Coast Titans24 Penrith Panthers103 October – Brisbane
Penrith Panthers14
12 September – Rockhampton24 September – Brisbane South Sydney Rabbitohs12
6 Parramatta Eels28 South Sydney Rabbitohs36
7 Newcastle Knights2018 September – Mackay Manly Warringah Sea Eagles16
Penrith Panthers8
11 September – Townsville Parramatta Eels6
2 Penrith Panthers10
3 South Sydney Rabbitohs16


Summary

[edit]
Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Crowd
Qualifying & Elimination Finals
Melbourne Storm 40 – 12 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Friday, 10 September, 7:50pm Sunshine Coast Stadium Grant Atkins 9,120
Sydney Roosters 25 – 24 Gold Coast Titans Saturday, 11 September, 5:40pm Queensland Country Bank Stadium Adam Gee 15,237
Penrith Panthers 10 – 16 South Sydney Rabbitohs Saturday, 11 September, 8:05pm Queensland Country Bank Stadium Gerard Sutton 18,244
Parramatta Eels 28 – 20 Newcastle Knights Sunday, 12 September, 4:05pm Browne Park Ashley Klein 5,087
Semi-Finals
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 42 – 6 Sydney Roosters Friday, 17 September, 7:50pm BB Print Stadium Gerard Sutton 5,824
Penrith Panthers 8 – 6 Parramatta Eels Saturday, 18 September, 7:50pm BB Print Stadium Ashley Klein 6,011
Preliminary Finals
South Sydney Rabbitohs 36 – 16 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Friday, 24 September, 8:05pm Suncorp Stadium Ashley Klein 26,249
Melbourne Storm 6 – 10 Penrith Panthers Saturday, 25 September, 4:00pm Suncorp Stadium Gerard Sutton 29,011
Grand Final
Penrith Panthers 14 – 12 South Sydney Rabbitohs Sunday, 3 October, 6:30pm (AEST), 7:30pm (AEDT) Suncorp Stadium Gerard Sutton 39,322

Qualifying & Elimination Finals

[edit]

1st Qualifying Final (Melbourne v Manly Warringah)

[edit]

The First Qualifying Final saw the 1st placed Melbourne Storm against the 4th placed Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. This was the fifth finals meeting between these clubs and the first since the 2012 Preliminary Final.

First qualifying final
Friday, 10 September
19:50 AEST (UTC+10)
Melbourne Storm 40 – 12 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Tries: 6
Papenhuyzen rugby ball 39'45'
Lumelume rugby ball 3'
K Bromwich rugby ball 10'
Welch rugby ball 14'
Olam rugby ball 77'
Goals: 7
Papenhuyzen rugby goalposts icon 5', 15', pen 24', 40', 47', pen 61', 78' (7/8)
Field goals: 1
Papenhuyzen rugby goalposts icon 80' (2 pt)
1st: 24–6
2nd: 16–6
Tries: 2
Saab rugby ball 31'51'
Goals: 2
Garrick rugby goalposts icon 32', 53' (2/2)
Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast
Attendance: 9,120
Referee: Grant Atkins
Bunker: Ashley Klein
Touch judges: Todd Smith, Peter Gough
Team lists:
FB 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
WG 2 George Jennings
CE 3 Reimis Smith
CE 4 Justin Olam
WG 5 Isaac Lumelume
FE 6 Cameron Munster
HB 7 Jahrome Hughes
PR 8 Jesse Bromwich (c)
HK 9 Brandon Smith
PR 10 Christian Welch
SR 11 Felise Kaufusi
SR 12 Kenneath Bromwich
LK 13 Dale Finucane
Substitutes:
IC 14 Harry Grant
IC 15 Tui Kamikamica
IC 16 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
IC 17 Nicho Hynes
Concussion Substitute:
RE 19 Tom Eisenhuth
Coach:
Craig Bellamy
FB 1 Tom Trbojevic
WG 2 Jason Saab
CE 3 Brad Parker
CE 4 Morgan Harper
WG 5 Reuben Garrick
FE 6 Kieran Foran
HB 7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
PR 8 Josh Aloiai
HK 15 Karl Lawton
PR 10 Martin Taupau
SR 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
SR 12 Josh Schuster
LK 13 Jake Trbojevic
Substitutes:
IC 14 Dylan Walker
IC 16 Sean Keppie
IC 17 Taniela Paseka
IC 20 Curtis Sironen
Concussion Substitute:
RE 19 Moses Suli
Coach:
Des Hasler

1st Elimination Final (Sydney v Gold Coast)

[edit]

The First Elimination Final saw the 5th placed Sydney Roosters against the 8th placed Gold Coast Titans. This was the second finals meeting between these clubs after meeting in the 2010 Preliminary Final.

First elimination final
Saturday, 11 September
17:40 AEST (UTC+10)
Sydney Roosters 25 – 24 Gold Coast Titans
Tries: 4
Ikuvalu rugby ball 24'
Tedesco rugby ball 32'
Tupou rugby ball 42'
Morris rugby ball 60'
Goals: 4
Keighran rugby goalposts icon pen 11', 34', 43', 61' (4/5)
Field goals: 1
Walker rugby goalposts icon 78'
1st: 12–6
2nd: 13–18
Tries: 4
Fermor rugby ball 40'
Fa'asuamaleaui rugby ball 47'
Kelly rugby ball 55'
Wallace rugby ball 69'
Goals: 4
Fogarty rugby goalposts icon pen 14', 48', 56', 71' (4/5)
Sin Bin: 1
Peachey Yellow card 10'
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 15,237
Referee: Adam Gee
Bunker: Steve Chiddy
Touch judges: Liam Kennedy, Chris Butler
Team lists:
FB 1 James Tedesco (c)
WG 2 Daniel Tupou
CE 3 Josh Morris
CE 4 Adam Keighran
WG 5 Matt Ikuvalu
FE 6 Drew Hutchison
HB 7 Lachlan Lam
PR 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
HK 9 Sam Verrills
PR 15 Isaac Liu
SR 11 Angus Crichton
SR 12 Sitili Tupouniua
LK 13 Victor Radley
Substitutes:
IC 10 Siosuia Taukeiaho
IC 14 Sam Walker
IC 16 Egan Butcher
IC 17 Fletcher Baker
Concussion Substitute:
RE 18 Dale Copley
Coach:
Trent Robinson
FB 1 Jayden Campbell
WG 2 Phillip Sami
CE 3 Brian Kelly
CE 4 Patrick Herbert
WG 5 Corey Thompson
FE 6 Tyrone Peachey
HB 7 Jamal Fogarty (c)
PR 8 Jarrod Wallace
HK 9 Mitch Rein
PR 10 Moeaki Fotuaika
SR 11 Kevin Proctor
SR 12 Beau Fermor
LK 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Substitutes:
IC 14 Erin Clark
IC 15 Sam Lisone
IC 16 David Fifita
IC 17 Jaimin Jolliffe
Concussion Substitute:
RE 18 Sam McIntyre
Coach:
Justin Holbrook

2nd Qualifying Final (Penrith v South Sydney)

[edit]

The Second Qualifying Final saw the 2nd placed Penrith Panthers against the 3rd placed South Sydney Rabbitohs. This was the second finals meeting between these clubs and a rematch of the 2020 Preliminary Final.

Second qualifying final
Saturday, 11 September
19:50 AEST (UTC+10)
Penrith Panthers 10 – 16 South Sydney Rabbitohs
Tries: 1
Crichton rugby ball 9'
Goals: 3
Cleary rugby goalposts icon 10', pen 29', pen 40' (3/3)
1st: 10–10
2nd: 0–6
Tries: 2
Walker rugby ball 25'
Paulo rugby ball 44'
Goals: 4
Reynolds rugby goalposts icon pen 4', 27', pen 35', pen 65' (4/5)
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Attendance: 18,244
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Bunker: Alan Shortall
Touch judges: Dave Munro, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Team lists:
FB 2 Stephen Crichton
WG 5 Brian To'o
CE 3 Paul Momirovski
CE 4 Matt Burton
WG 20 Charlie Staines
FE 6 Jarome Luai
HB 7 Nathan Cleary (c)
PR 10 James Fisher-Harris
HK 9 Apisai Koroisau
PR 18 Matthew Eisenhuth
SR 12 Kurt Capewell
SR 17 Liam Martin
LK 13 Isaah Yeo
Substitutes:
IC 11 Viliame Kikau
IC 14 Mitch Kenny
IC 15 Spencer Leniu
IC 16 Tevita Pangai Junior
Concussion Substitute:
RE 19 Izack Tago
Coach:
Ivan Cleary
FB 1 Blake Taaffe
WG 2 Alex Johnston
CE 3 Dane Gagai
CE 4 Campbell Graham
WG 5 Jaxson Paulo
FE 6 Cody Walker
HB 7 Adam Reynolds (c)
PR 8 Mark Nicholls
HK 9 Damien Cook
PR 10 Tevita Tatola
SR 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
SR 12 Jaydn Su'A
LK 13 Cameron Murray
Substitutes:
IC 14 Benji Marshall
IC 15 Jacob Host
IC 16 Thomas Burgess
IC 17 Jai Arrow
Concussion Substitute:
RE 21 Patrick Mago
Coach:
Wayne Bennett

2nd Elimination Final (Parramatta v Newcastle)

[edit]

The Second Elimination Final saw the 6th placed Parramatta Eels against the 7th placed Newcastle Knights. This was the fourth finals meeting between these clubs and the first since the 2001 Grand Final.

Second elimination final
Sunday, 12 September
4:05pm
Parramatta Eels 28 – 20 Newcastle Knights
Tries: 5
Ferguson rugby ball 38'48'
Blake rugby ball 10'
Moses rugby ball 36'
Penisini rugby ball pen 77'
Goals: 4
Moses rugby goalposts icon 11', 38', 50', 78' (4/5)
1st: 16–10
2nd: 12–10
Tries: 4
Tuala rugby ball 2'53'58'
Hunt rugby ball 25'
Goals: 2
Clifford rugby goalposts icon 27', 54' (2/4)
Browne Park, Rockhampton
Attendance: 5,087
Referee: Ashley Klein
Bunker: Grant Atkins
Touch judges: Phil Henderson, Jon Stone
Team lists:
FB 1 Clinton Gutherson (c)
WG 2 Haze Dunster
CE 3 Will Penisini
CE 4 Waqa Blake
WG 5 Blake Ferguson
FE 6 Dylan Brown
HB 7 Mitchell Moses
PR 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
HK 9 Ray Stone
PR 10 Junior Paulo
SR 11 Shaun Lane
SR 12 Marata Niukore
LK 13 Nathan Brown
Substitutes:
IC 14 Will Smith
IC 15 Bryce Cartwright
IC 16 Isaiah Papali'i
IC 17 Makahesi Makatoa
Concussion Substitute:
RE 20 Tom Opacic
Coach:
Brad Arthur
FB 1 Kalyn Ponga
WG 2 Enari Tuala
CE 3 Kurt Mann
CE 4 Bradman Best
WG 5 Hymel Hunt
FE 6 Jake Clifford
HB 7 Mitchell Pearce
PR 8 Jacob Saifiti
HK 9 Jayden Brailey (c)
PR 10 Daniel Saifiti
SR 11 Tyson Frizell
SR 12 Mitchell Barnett
LK 13 Connor Watson
Substitutes:
IC 14 Sauaso Sue
IC 15 David Klemmer
IC 16 Josh King
IC 17 Brodie Jones
Concussion Substitute:
RE 20 Simi Sasagi
Coach:
Adam O'Brien

Semi-finals

[edit]

1st Semi-Final (Manly Warringah v Sydney)

[edit]

The First Semi-Final saw the loser of the First Qualifying Final, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles against the winner of the First Elimination Final, the Sydney Roosters. This was the ninth finals meeting between the clubs and the first since the 2013 Grand Final.

Friday, 17 September
7:50pm
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 42 – 6 Sydney Roosters
Tries:
Tom Trbojevic (6', 46') 2
Kieran Foran (12') 1
Daly Cherry-Evans (18') 1
Morgan Harper (32') 1
Dylan Walker (48') 1
Jason Saab (69') 1
Goals:
Reuben Garrick 7/7
(8', 14', 19', 34', 47', 50', 71')
1st: 24 – 6
2nd: 18 – 0
Tries:
1 (25') Matt Ikuvalu
Goals:
1/2 Adam Keighran
(40' pen)
BB Print Stadium, Mackay
Attendance: 5,824
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Team lists:
FB 1 Tom Trbojevic
WG 2 Jason Saab
CE 3 Brad Parker
CE 4 Morgan Harper
WG 5 Reuben Garrick
FE 6 Kieran Foran
HB 7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
PR 8 Josh Aloiai
HK 9 Lachlan Croker
PR 16 Sean Keppie
SR 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
SR 12 Josh Schuster
LK 13 Jake Trbojevic
Substitutes:
IC 10 Martin Taupau
IC 14 Dylan Walker
IC 15 Karl Lawton
IC 17 Taniela Paseka
Concussion Substitute:
RE 19 Moses Suli
Coach:
Des Hasler
FB 1 James Tedesco (c)
WG 2 Daniel Tupou
CE 3 Josh Morris
CE 4 Adam Keighran
WG 5 Matt Ikuvalu
FE 6 Lachlan Lam
HB 7 Drew Hutchison
PR 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
HK 20 Ben Marschke
PR 10 Isaac Liu
SR 11 Angus Crichton
SR 12 Sitili Tupouniua
LK 13 Victor Radley
Substitutes:
IC 14 Sam Walker
IC 15 Nat Butcher
IC 16 Egan Butcher
IC 17 Fletcher Baker
Concussion Substitute:
RE 18 Dale Copley
Coach:
Trent Robinson
Officials:

Gerard Sutton (Referee)

Dave Munro (Touch Judge)

Todd Smith (Touch Judge)

Ashley Klein (Bunker)

2nd Semi-Final (Penrith v Parramatta)

[edit]

The Second Semi-Final saw the loser of the Second Qualifying Final, the Penrith Panthers against the winner of the Second Elimination Final, the Parramatta Eels. This was the third finals meeting between the clubs and the first since the 2000 Semi-Final.

Saturday, 18 September
7:50pm
Penrith Panthers 8 – 6 Parramatta Eels
Tries:
Kurt Capewell (17') 1
Goals:
Nathan Cleary 2/2
(18', 40' pen)
1st: 8 – 6
2nd: 0 – 0
Tries:
1 (11') Waqa Blake
Goals:
1/1 Mitchell Moses
(12')
BB Print Stadium, Mackay
Attendance: 6,011
Referee: Ashley Klein
Team lists:
FB 1 Dylan Edwards
WG 2 Stephen Crichton
CE 3 Paul Momirovski
CE 4 Matt Burton
WG 20 Brent Naden
FE 6 Jarome Luai
HB 7 Nathan Cleary (c)
PR 8 Moses Leota
HK 9 Apisai Koroisau
PR 10 James Fisher-Harris
SR 12 Kurt Capewell
SR 17 Liam Martin
LK 13 Isaah Yeo
Substitutes:
IC 11 Viliame Kikau
IC 14 Mitch Kenny
IC 15 Scott Sorensen
IC 16 Tevita Pangai Junior
Concussion Substitute:
RE 19 Izack Tago
Coach:
Ivan Cleary
FB 1 Clinton Gutherson (c)
WG 2 Haze Dunster
CE 3 Will Penisini
CE 4 Waqa Blake
WG 5 Blake Ferguson
FE 6 Dylan Brown
HB 7 Mitchell Moses
PR 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
HK 9 Ray Stone
PR 10 Junior Paulo
SR 11 Shaun Lane
SR 12 Marata Niukore
LK 13 Nathan Brown
Substitutes:
IC 14 Will Smith
IC 15 Isaiah Papali'i
IC 16 Bryce Cartwright
IC 17 Ryan Matterson
Concussion Substitute:
RE 18 Makahesi Makatoa
Coach:
Brad Arthur
Officials:

Ashley Klein (Referee)

Phil Henderson (Touch Judge)

Jon Stone (Touch Judge)

Grant Atkins (Bunker)

Preliminary Finals

[edit]

2nd Preliminary Final (South Sydney v Manly Warringah)

[edit]

The Second Preliminary Final saw the winner of the Second Qualifying Final, the South Sydney Rabbitohs against the winner of the First Semi-Final, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. This was the fourteenth finals meeting between these clubs and the first since the 2019 Semi-Final.

Friday, 24 September
8:05pm
South Sydney Rabbitohs 36 – 16 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Tries:
Cody Walker (13', 29') 2
Jaxson Paulo (38', 60') 2
Alex Johnston (23', 80') 2
Campbell Graham (51') 1
Goals:
Blake Taafe 4/7
(14', 24', 31', 52')
1st: 22 – 0
2nd: 14 – 16
Tries:
2 (44', 77') Reuben Garrick
1 (74') Tom Trbojevic
Goals:
2/3 Reuben Garrick
(45', 78')
Sin Bin:
(68') Josh Aloiai
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 26,249
Referee: Ashley Klein
Team lists:
FB 1 Blake Taaffe
WG 2 Alex Johnston
CE 3 Dane Gagai
CE 4 Campbell Graham
WG 5 Jaxson Paulo
FE 6 Cody Walker
HB 7 Adam Reynolds (c)
PR 8 Mark Nicholls
HK 9 Damien Cook
PR 10 Tevita Tatola
SR 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
SR 12 Jaydn Su'A
LK 13 Cameron Murray
Substitutes:
IC 14 Benji Marshall
IC 15 Jacob Host
IC 16 Thomas Burgess
IC 17 Jai Arrow
Concussion Substitute:
RE 19 Patrick Mago
Coach:
Wayne Bennett
FB 1 Tom Trbojevic
WG 2 Jason Saab
CE 4 Morgan Harper
CE 19 Moses Suli
WG 5 Reuben Garrick
FE 6 Kieran Foran
HB 7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
PR 8 Josh Aloiai
HK 9 Lachlan Croker
PR 16 Sean Keppie
SR 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
SR 12 Josh Schuster
LK 13 Jake Trbojevic
Substitutes:
IC 10 Martin Taupau
IC 14 Dylan Walker
IC 15 Karl Lawton
IC 17 Taniela Paseka
Concussion Substitute:
RE 21 Tevita Funa
Coach:
Des Hasler
Officials:

Ashley Klein (Referee)

Phil Henderson (Touch Judge)

Jon Stone (Touch Judge)

Grant Atkins (Bunker)

1st Preliminary Final (Melbourne v Penrith)

[edit]

The First Preliminary Final saw the winner of the First Qualifying Final, the Melbourne Storm against the winner of the Second Semi-Final, the Penrith Panthers. This was the second finals meeting between these clubs and a rematch of the 2020 Grand Final.

Saturday, 25 September
4:00pm
Melbourne Storm 6 – 10 Penrith Panthers
Tries:
Ryan Papenhuyzen (63') 1
Goals:
Ryan Papenhuyzen 1/1
(65')
1st: 0 – 6
2nd: 6 – 4
Tries:
1 (3') Stephen Crichton
1 (43') Brian To'o
Goals:
1/2 Nathan Cleary
(5')
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 29,011
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Team lists:
FB 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
WG 2 George Jennings
CE 3 Reimis Smith
CE 4 Justin Olam
WG 5 Josh Addo-Carr
FE 6 Cameron Munster
HB 7 Jahrome Hughes
PR 8 Jesse Bromwich (c)
HK 9 Brandon Smith
PR 10 Christian Welch
SR 11 Felise Kaufusi
SR 12 Kenneath Bromwich
LK 13 Dale Finucane
Substitutes:
IC 14 Harry Grant
IC 15 Tui Kamikamica
IC 16 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
IC 17 Nicho Hynes
Concussion Substitute:
RE 19 Tom Eisenhuth
Coach:
Craig Bellamy
FB 1 Dylan Edwards
WG 2 Stephen Crichton
CE 3 Paul Momirovski
CE 4 Matt Burton
WG 21 Brian To'o
FE 6 Jarome Luai
HB 7 Nathan Cleary (c)
PR 10 James Fisher-Harris
HK 9 Apisai Koroisau
PR 16 Tevita Pangai Junior
SR 12 Kurt Capewell
SR 17 Liam Martin
LK 13 Isaah Yeo
Substitutes:
IC 11 Viliame Kikau
IC 14 Tyrone May
IC 15 Scott Sorensen
IC 19 Spencer Leniu
Concussion Substitute:
RE 5 Brent Naden
Coach:
Ivan Cleary
Officials:

Gerard Sutton (Referee)

Dave Munro (Touch Judge)

Todd Smith (Touch Judge)

Ashley Klein (Bunker)

Grand Final

[edit]

The Grand Final saw the winner of the First Preliminary Final, the Penrith Panthers, against the winner of the Second Preliminary Final, the South Sydney Rabbitohs. This was the third finals meeting between the two sides, after the 2021 Qualifying Final, and the first Grand Final played between the teams.

2021 NRL Grand Final
Sunday, 3 October
18:35 AEST (UTC+10)
Penrith Panthers 14 – 12 South Sydney Rabbitohs
Tries: 2
Burton rugby ball 17'
Crichton rugby ball 67'
Goals: 3
Cleary rugby goalposts icon 19', pen 33', 69' (3/3)
1st: 8–6
2nd: 6–6
Tries: 2
Walker rugby ball 21'
Johnston rugby ball 75'
Goals: 2
Reynolds rugby goalposts icon 23', pen 45' (2/3)
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 39,322
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch judges: Dave Munro, Todd Smith
Clive Churchill Medal: Nathan Cleary (Penrith)
Team lists:
FB 1 Dylan Edwards
WG 2 Stephen Crichton
CE 3 Paul Momirovski
CE 4 Matt Burton
WG 5 Brian To'o
FE 6 Jarome Luai
HB 7 Nathan Cleary (c)
PR 8 Moses Leota
HK 9 Apisai Koroisau
PR 10 James Fisher-Harris
SR 12 Liam Martin
SR 17 Kurt Capewell
LK 13 Isaah Yeo (c)
Substitutes:
IC 11 Viliame Kikau
IC 14 Tyrone May
IC 15 Scott Sorensen
IC 16 Spencer Leniu
Concussion Substitute:
RE 18 Brent Naden
Coach:
Ivan Cleary
FB 1 Blake Taaffe
WG 2 Alex Johnston
CE 3 Dane Gagai
CE 4 Campbell Graham
WG 5 Jaxson Paulo
FE 6 Cody Walker
HB 7 Adam Reynolds (c)
PR 8 Mark Nicholls
HK 9 Damien Cook
PR 10 Tevita Tatola
SR 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
SR 12 Jaydn Su'A
LK 13 Cameron Murray
Substitutes:
IC 14 Benji Marshall
IC 15 Jacob Host
IC 16 Tom Burgess
IC 17 Jai Arrow
Concussion Substitute:
RE 19 Patrick Mago
Coach:
Wayne Bennett
Officials:

Gerard Sutton (Referee)

Dave Munro (Touch Judge)

Todd Smith (Touch Judge)

Grant Atkins (Bunker)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "114-year first as Brisbane confirmed to host NRL Grand Final". Fox Sports. 8 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Everything you need to know about finals: All venues announced". National Rugby League. 2021-09-11. Retrieved 2021-09-12.
  3. ^ Walsh, Dan (2 October 2021). "Tickets to be refunded after government caps grand final crowd at 75%". NRL New. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  4. ^ "NRL finals format explained: How do the NRL finals work?". The Roar. Retrieved 18 September 2020.