The Sydney Roosters took out the Holden Cup in a thrilling come-from-behind win, chasing down the Penrith Panthers to win by two points.
All the wash-up from the NRL grand final:
» LORD: Gallen leads Sharks into history books
» PRICHARD: 13 extra seconds, but the Sharks did it
» Five talking points
» Ten best tweets from the match
» Sharks player ratings
» Storm player ratings
» Match report: Sharks’ wait over
» Re-live the match with our live blog
Final score
Penrith Panthers 28
Sydney Roosters 30
For the second year in a row, the Penrith Panthers will attempt to take out the Holden Cup and go back-to-back, as they take on an exciting Sydney Roosters outfit at ANZ Stadium to kick-off the biggest day in rugby league. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 1:35pm (AEDT).
The Panthers finished at the top of the ladder, having won 18 and drawn two of their 24 matches.
Incredibly, three of their four losses came in the last six weeks of the competition, meaning at one point they had won 15 of 18 matches.
More impressively, though, they scored a massive 851 points throughout the season, which is 70 more than any other side, and came in with an average of 35.4 per game, which even by Holden Cup standards is outrageous.
In a competition that is not big on defence, the Panthers are the team that stand out – they let in just 382 points during the season – about 15.1 per game.
The kicking game of Tyrone May and Dean Blore is accurate, but the way they are able to run and pass, setting up points on a regular basis, is fantastic.
With a forward pack that is led by Oliver Clark and some explosive runners including fullback and Australian under 20s representative Dylan Edwards, it’s not hard to see why the Panthers have done as well as they have.
The Roosters, on the other hand, finished the regular season in fifth place with 14 wins, and really had to fight hard to make the decider.
After wins against the Canberra Raiders and Cronulla Sharks, they took on the more fancied St George Illawarra Dragons coming away with a hard-fought six-point victory.
Their key man is centre Joseph Manu. The way he runs the ball and targets the Panthers edge defence is of paramount importance, although the position and time he has on the ball will be decided by halves Paul Momirovski and Jesse Marschke, along with hooker Grant Garvey, who all have massive roles to play.
The sides faced off twice during the season, with both matches ending in blowout wins for Penrith. The first was in Round 7, which finished 50-4, while the second was a slightly closer 40-22.
Prediction
The Panthers won the competition last year, and it’s hard to see them not doing it again. They have been the best team all year by the length of the straight, and the Roosters will be no match.
Panthers by 20.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the National Youth Competition grand final from 1:35pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to get involved by dropping a comment below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Chinmay Hejmadi
Roar Guru
Wow the only reason I had backed the Roosters to win was because they're my team, little did I expect them to actually win it - and that too in such an epic way. Few of these boys will definitely be mainstays in NRL teams of the future.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full report still to come so stay tuned for that. Thanks for joining me today for The Roar's live coverage of NRL grand final day 2016 as the Sydney Roosters took out the Holden Cup in a come from behind 2 point victory over the Penrith Panthers. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. There is still another game to come as we build into the big one, as the Illawarra Cutters take on the Burleigh Bears in the State Challenge final - join Riley Pettigrew for that right here: http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/10/02/illawarra-cutters-vs-burleigh-bears-nrl-state-championship-live-blog/ I'll be back from 7:15pm (AEDT) for the NRL grand final. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Jack Gibson Medal goes to Nat Butcher
Scott Pryde
Expert
Roarers, who do you think is going to take out the Jack Gibson medal. I'll put in a tip for either Nat Butcher or Jesse Marschke.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full report and Jack Gibson medal to come. What an effort from the Roosters. Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Edwards with the first run and then Luke pulled to ground from dummy half. One run through the centre for Epere and he is taken. A few wasted plays, then a chip kick but the Roosters come up with it and that'll do it! WHAT A PERFORMANCE! SYDNEY ROOSTERS, 2016 HOLDEN CUP PREMIERS Penrith Panthers 28 Sydney Roosters 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
80' - The Roosters go through things pretty slowly here. Anderson with a strong run to start the set and then they take some runs into the middle, Thomas taken 35 out. Butcher runs to within 25 with 45 seconds to go and Marschke gets it over the sideline about 15 out. Penrith stop the clock with 27 seconds left. Panthers 28 Roosters 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
79' - And a penalty for the Roosters coming out of trouble. Panthers 28 Roosters 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
79' - Waddell and Burns with some good runs and here is a penalty. Tap and go from Burns who goes inside 20 before they look to throw a ball right and there is a knock on! Roosters have it with 2 to go. Panthers 28 Roosters 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
78' - The Panthers seem to have a new energy out there, pinning the Roosters in there own end. Manu gets a run before a hurried kick from Marschke with Edwards bringing it back to within 15 of halfway. Panthers 28 Roosters 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - MISSED! He missed it! And the Roosters get out of the in goal. Panthers 28 Roosters 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
76' - Do the Panthers have anything left in the tank? Epere with a run through the middle and then they come over halfway before Tuigamala comes forward. May puts the bomb up into the shadows on the last and it is allowed to bounce with a penalty to Penrith. Looks like there was a challenge on the kicker! Late and high on May! Shoulder charge in fact. Penrith are going to have a shot at 2 to tie it up. Panthers 28 Roosters 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
75' - The Roosters will bring it back from the kick-off through the big front rower Thomas and that's a good start to the set. Through the middle goes Frei before they spread left and Boland takes a run. They continue left with Anderson breaking some tackles and getting inside 30. Another run down the middle and on the last it is a sloppy pass to Marschke who spreads right with a backhand flick to Tupouniua but he bombs a try, unable to catch it. Panthers 28 Roosters 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by JESSE MARSCHKE Panthers 28 Roosters 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Incredibly try, but the Roosters have played an amazing second half.
Scott Pryde
Expert
If the Roosters win this, mark my words - one of the best comebacks in history, and certainly history of the NYC. 22 points, but they were down and out at halftime with Garvey out for the rest of the match. Incredible stuff.
Scott Pryde
Expert
73' - TRY ROOSTERS, JOHN TUIVASA-SHECK Penrith come to halfway before May and Waddell work it through the middle of the park. They get to within 30 with a suspect looking pass on the last. May with a grubber that has been deflected off the legs of Radley who charges away with it, gets into the clear and finds Tuivasa-Sheck who runs 60 metres to score under the uprights. No stopping him and the Roosters are about to hit the lead. Panthers 28 Roosters 28
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Wow! JTS saves the Roosters for the second week in a row. What a try!
Scott Pryde
Expert
72' - The Roosters still need to find a way to score here and they work it away through Lewis and Tuivasa-Sheck, but the momentum they had looks to be well and truly gone. They get up to halfway through Marschke before Momorovski puts a bomb up and it bounces, but the pass from Lewis goes into the path of Edwards. Panthers 28 Roosters 24
Scott Pryde
Expert
70' - The Panthers now work it up to halfway with Edwards getting involved on the third play before Epere lines it up with a big run. Luke goes from dummy half and links with the 18 year old Blore before they go short side on the last, trying to run it and May's pass goes to ground. Poor option. Panthers 28 Roosters 24