The 2020 NRL Grand Final was a rematch of the 2019 Grand Final between the Penrith Panthers and the Melbourne Storm. It was a thrilling match that saw the Panthers come close to repeating their success from the previous year, only to fall short in a heartbreaking loss.
The match was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading blows throughout. The Panthers had the upper hand early, taking a 10-0 lead at halftime. However, the Storm fought back in the second half, eventually taking the lead late in the game.
The Panthers had one last chance to win the game when Nathan Cleary kicked a field goal in the dying seconds of the match. It looked like it would be enough to secure the victory, but a freak gust of wind blew the ball wide of the posts, denying Cleary what would have been one of the greatest clutch plays in NRL history.
The Panthers were devastated by the loss, but they could take solace in the fact that they had pushed the Storm all the way. The match was also a testament to the resilience of the Panthers, who had overcome numerous injuries throughout the season to make it to the Grand Final.
The loss was a cruel one for the Panthers, but it was also an act of God that denied them victory. It was a fitting end to an incredible season and a reminder that sometimes, no matter how hard you try, luck can be against you.
The 2020 NRL Grand Final will be remembered for many things, but perhaps none more so than Nathan Cleary’s ‘greatest clutch play’ that fell just short. It was a heartbreaking moment for Panthers fans, but it was also a reminder that sometimes, even the best efforts can come up just short.
