The Parramatta Eels could be in for a double premiership victory on Sunday when their men and women’s teams face the Penrith Panthers and Newcastle Knights at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
It’s a chance for the men’s Eels team to end their 36-year premiership drought against the reigning champions and a grand final debut for both women’s teams.
Penrith also have the chance to become the first club to win four grand finals in a year with the NSW Cup, Jersey Flegg Cup and SG Ball Cup already in their possession. The victorious NSW Cup side will face Norths Devils in the State Championship grand final from 1.30pm.
How can you catch the action? What’s happened so far? And what can you expect? Here is everything you need to know about the biggest day on the NRL calendar.
When does it start?
The NRL grand final between the Penrith Panthers and Parramatta Eels kicks off at 7.30pm Sunday, October 2 at Sydney’s Accor Stadium. The NRLW grand final between the Eels and Newcastle Knights will kick off earlier in the day in the same venue at 3.55pm.
The grand final will be a chance for the Parramatta Eels to end a drought which has lasted nearly four decades.Credit:Getty Images
Tickets sales and how to watch
Tickets for the decider sold out on Tuesday.
TV broadcast on Nine and 9Now. Beginning at 7am at Accor Stadium, Weekend Today will take their whole show to the ground for a special grand final edition, followed by Sports Sunday at 10am and the Sunday Footy Show at 11am and rolling through the day. The Herald will have every angle of the action on and off the field covered with our live blog beginning at 12.30pm.
Hosted by James Bracey, rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns, premiership-winning captains Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Brad Fittler, Paul Gallen, Darren Lockyer, and multiple premiership winners Billy Slater, Phil Gould and Sonny Bill Williams, Nine will provide viewers with insight and analysis befitting the biggest day of the season.
Mat Thompson will call the grand final alongside Johns and Smith, while Gould, Peter Psaltis and Ruan Sims will provide commentary for the NRLW and State Championship grand final. Danika Mason, Allana Ferguson and Emma Lawrence will cover the sidelines for all three games.
How to get there
Those driving will need to pre-book parking ahead of the event to secure a spot or park at a nearby station commuter carpark and take public transport. Traffic will be heavier than usual on roads approaching the venue and can be monitored at livetraffic.com.
Public transport fares are included in the ticket to the game. Express and limited-stop trains to Olympic Park will run frequently from the Central and Western Line stations, along with regular return services. Details on other public transport options and planning your trip can be found here.
Grand Final Day Schedule
Gates Open: 1pm
NRL State Championship Grand Final Kick Off: 1.30pm
Pre Game Entertainment: 3.20pm
NRLW Telstra Premiership Grand Final Kick Off: 3.55pm
Pre-Game Entertainment: 6.30pm
NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final Kick Off: 7.30pm
Pre-Game Entertainment
NRLW Grand Final (3.20pm): Mahalia Barnes, A.GIRL, Emma Donovan
NRL Grand Final (6.30pm): Jimmy Barnes, Diesel, Josh Teskey, Sheldon Riley, Emma Donovan
Bliss n Eso (featuring JOY.)
Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels
Regular season records
Panthers: 20 wins, 4 losses, points differential +306
Eels: 16 wins, 8 losses, points differential +119
What’s happened so far
The Panthers have remained at the top of the ladder throughout the season, and forward Isaah Yeo has played a key role in their dominance. Penrith’s defence lets through about 20 points a game but, at their best, the reigning champions have been relentless, limiting the Eels to eight points in their last meeting to kick off the finals. The premiers’ set plays are their strength, as star halfback Nathan Cleary deceives and swings back to score. Winger Taylan May will miss the grand final with a hamstring injury. Charlie Staines has been named in his stead.
Last year’s Clive Churchill Medal winner Nathan Cleary will be the key for Penrith.Credit:Getty Images
The Eels have won two of their three clashes against Penrith this year, one by a slim two-point margin and the other a thumping 34-10 victory. But they took a beating in that most recent qualifying match. Parramatta’s strength remains in their “offload to change of angle”, which will give them an edge against Penrith’s defence.
Eels forward Nathan Brown is set to return for the grand final after 12 weeks out of the game, but centre Tom Opacic will miss out after reportedly re-tweaking his hamstring during a fitness test.
NRLW: Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels
Regular season records
Knights: 4 wins, 1 loss, points differential +44
Eels: 1 wins, 4 losses, points differential -20
What’s happened so far
The Eels had won just one out of five games when they stunned the top-ranked Roosters with a 24-10 semi-final victory at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. Despite their record going into the grand final, Eels coach Dean Widders said his team could come out on top. “We’re not going to worry that we come in off one game, look at the Roosters in that first season [earlier this year], they showed that anyone can win these games and win this competition. We won’t fear anyone,” he said. It’s uncertain whether co-captain Tiana Penitani, who dropped out of the semi-final with a quad injury, will play in the grand final.
The Knights are also underdogs in the competition. Both teams have had just two seasons in the NRLW, but Newcastle finished their inaugural campaign earlier this year with no wins. That doesn’t mean they come into the finals without experience. After their first season, the Knights signed past premiership winners Millie Boyle, Tamika Upton and Yasmin Clydsdale. “Their first season, it didn’t go to plan [on the field], but other girls that came in for this season have bought in and it’s been really good,” fullback Upton said. She returned to the semi-final following a calf-injury, meaning the Knights have no major injuries ahead of the grand final.
Odds
NRL: Penrith $1.37, Parramatta $3.10
NRLW: Newcastle $1.45, Parramatta $2.75
Watch the NRL Grand Final Exclusive Live and Free on Channel 9 and 9Now.
