The 2022 NRL grand final at a glance: Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels at Accor Stadium in Sydney, Sunday 2 October 7.30pm (AEDT).
Played: 106, Panthers won 45, Eels won 60, one drawn
Most recent match: Panthers beat Eels 27-8 at BlueBet Stadium in qualifying final.
Premierships: Panthers 3, Eels 4,
Grand Final history: Nil
THE FORM
*Penrith (H&A first, 20 wins, 4 losses). Have been beaten only once this season when at full strength, and that came in round nine against the Eels. After dominating the regular season, the Panthers lost some steam on the eve of the finals as injuries and suspensions hit, but are now back to their best. Are arguably playing better football now and have fewer concerns than when they won last year’s title.
*Parramatta (H&A fourth, 16 wins, eight losses). Were forced to fight hard to get past North Queensland in a gruelling grand final qualifier, after finally getting the monkey off the back and progressing past a semi-final. Lack the grand final experience of the Panthers, but have beaten them twice this year and regularly proven over the past three seasons they are one of the few sides that have the game to beat Penrith.
THE KEY PLAYERS
* Nathan Cleary (Penrith): Absolutely terrorised Parramatta and their winger Waqa Blake in the opening week of the finals, and will be looking to do no different come Sunday with his floating bombs. In that match Cleary stole the game away from the Eels in a 10-minute period where he helped lay on three tries in the second half, ensuring a Panthers victory. The Eels must find a way to shut Cleary down and pressure his kicks, otherwise it’s hard to see any result other than a Penrith win.
* Mitchell Moses (Parramatta): Missed the birth of his first child to play in Parramatta’s preliminary final win over North Queensland, and will be desperate to make that even more worthwhile in the decider. Moses lacks the big-game experience of his rival halfback Cleary, but has proven in recent weeks that he will not be fazed by the big games. Knocked out in the week-one loss to Penrith, Moses will need his pack to fire to he can kick like he did in the early stages of that game when the Eels were on top.
THE COACHES
* Ivan Cleary (Penrith): Claimed his first premiership as a coach last year, and is now looking to join Trent Robinson as the only man to go back-to-back in the NRL era. A win would also cement Cleary’s status as one of the great coaches of the modern game. Appears to have this Panthers side at ease, with the majority of players in close to career-best form. Sunday will mark his fourth grand final as a coach, after a year that has included stints in hospital with a bad knee infection.
* Brad Arthur (Parramatta): Has managed to put aside all sorts of outside noise and rumblings to take the Eels to their first grand final since 2009. Arthur took over Parramatta when they were seemingly at their lowest ebb in 2014, before also enduring the salary-cap scandal in 2016. Arthur has somehow overcome that to help turn the Eels into one of the most consistent teams in the NRL, reaching five of the last six finals. A win on Sunday would be the perfect ending to Arthur’s almighty rebuild job.
By Scott Bailey in Sydney
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