2020 NRL Grand Final
| Company type | Sports event |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rugby league |
| Founded | October 25, 2020 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
Area served | National Rugby League (Australia) |
Key people | Ivan Cleary (Penrith coach), Craig Bellamy (Melbourne coach), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Clive Churchill Medalist), Cameron Smith (Melbourne captain) |
| Products | Rugby league championship match |
The 2020 NRL Grand Final served as the championship-deciding contest for the 2020 NRL season, taking place at Sydney's ANZ Stadium on October 25. The showdown featured the minor premiers, the Penrith Panthers, against the second-placed Melbourne Storm. Melbourne established a commanding 22-0 lead by halftime and managed to withstand a late resurgence from Penrith, ultimately triumphing 26-20 to claim their fourth premiership title. The Clive Churchill Medal for man of the match was awarded to Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen. Attendance was capped at 37,303 spectators due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the NSW government. This match also marked the final appearance for Melbourne captain and hooker Cameron Smith, who retired the following year as the most-capped player in NRL history with 430 games for a single club.
Preceding this event was the 2020 NRL Women's Premiership Grand Final, where the Brisbane Broncos secured a 20–10 victory over the Sydney Roosters, achieving their third consecutive premiership and second Grand Final win over the Roosters.
Australian indie pop artist Amy Shark headlined the pre-match entertainment. The game was broadcast live throughout Australia by the Nine Network.
Background
This final represented the inaugural NRL Grand Final clash between the Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm. Penrith clinched their third minor premiership, seeking a third overall premiership after previous successes in 1991 and 2003. Coach Ivan Cleary made his second Grand Final appearance, having previously led the New Zealand Warriors to defeat in 2011. Melbourne reached their fourth Grand Final within five years, having won in 2017 and finished runners-up in both 2016 and 2018.
Finishing first and second on the regular season ladder respectively, Penrith and Melbourne had earlier met during round 6 at Campbelltown Stadium, with Penrith prevailing 21–14. Due to COVID-19 restrictions enforced by the Victorian Government, Melbourne was compelled to host home fixtures outside Victoria, securing victories at venues including Kogarah Oval, Suncorp Stadium, and achieving six consecutive wins at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Both teams advanced through their Qualifying Finals: Penrith narrowly defeated reigning champions Sydney Roosters 29–28 at Panthers Stadium, while Melbourne overcame the Parramatta Eels 36–24 at Suncorp Stadium. In Preliminary Finals, Melbourne dispatched 2019 finalists Canberra Raiders 30–10 at Suncorp Stadium, and Penrith edged out the South Sydney Rabbitohs 20–16 at ANZ Stadium.
Broadcasting
The Grand Final was transmitted live on Australia's Nine Network, with delayed coverage on Fox League domestically and on New Zealand's Sky Sport. Radio broadcasts were provided by outlets including the ABC, Triple M, 2GB, SEN, and Koori Radio.
Curtain-raiser matches
Two preliminary matches were scheduled earlier on match day.
Entertainment
Entertainment on game day featured a performance by Australian indie pop singer Amy Shark.
Teams
| Penrith Panthers |
Position | Melbourne Storm |
|---|---|---|
| Dylan Edwards | Fullback | Ryan Papenhuyzen |
| Josh Mansour | Wing | Suliasi Vunivalu |
| Stephen Crichton | Centre | Justin Olam |
| Tyrone May | Centre | Brenko Lee |
| Brian To'o | Wing | Josh Addo-Carr |
| Jarome Luai | Five-eighth | Cameron Munster |
| Nathan Cleary | Halfback | Jahrome Hughes |
| James Tamou (c) | Prop | Jesse Bromwich |
| Apisai Koroisau | Hooker | Cameron Smith (c) |
| James Fisher-Harris | Prop | Christian Welch |
| Viliame Kikau | 2nd Row | Felise Kaufusi |
| Liam Martin | 2nd Row | Kenny Bromwich |
| Isaah Yeo | Lock | Nelson Asofa-Solomona |
| Brent Naden | Interchange | Brandon Smith |
| Kurt Capewell | Interchange | Tino Fa'asuamaleaui |
| Moses Leota | Interchange | Dale Finucane |
| Zane Tetevano | Interchange | Nicho Hynes |
| Ivan Cleary | Coach | Craig Bellamy |
Within Penrith’s squad, only James Tamou, Apisai Koroisau, and Zane Tetevano had prior grand final experience, having won titles with the North Queensland Cowboys (2015), South Sydney Rabbitohs (2014), and Sydney Roosters (2018) respectively. Halfback Nathan Cleary marked his centennial first-grade appearance. For Melbourne, grand final newcomers included Ryan Papenhuyzen, Brenko Lee, Justin Olam, Jahrome Hughes, and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui. Meanwhile, veterans such as captain Cameron Smith, alongside players like Suliasi Vunivalu and Cameron Munster, had participated in each of Melbourne’s previous three grand finals. Among them, only Smith and Jesse Bromwich brought additional grand final experience for Melbourne.
Officials
| Role | Stand-By | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| class="table-rh" Template:Rh |Referees: | Gerard Sutton | Ashley Klein | ||
| class="table-rh" Template:Rh |Touch Judges: | Chris Butler | Todd Smith | David Munro | |
| class="table-rh" Template:Rh |Bunker: | Steve Chiddy | Source: | ||
Match summary
<section begin=2020 NRL Grand Final/><section begin=scoreboard/><section end=scoreboard/><section end=2020 NRL Grand Final/>
First half
The initial scoring opportunity arose from Melbourne's Justin Olam, whose try was initially disallowed but later upgraded to a penalty try following video review due to a kick out by Penrith’s Tyrone May. The conversion was successfully taken by Cameron Smith. Penrith’s Josh Mansour had a try ruled out for obstruction. Melbourne took advantage of penalties awarded against Penrith, with Smith adding two penalty goals. A misplaced pass from Nathan Cleary was intercepted by Suliasi Vunivalu, resulting in a try. Just before halftime, Smith scored a try that was initially disallowed but confirmed upon video review; he then converted, bringing the halftime score to 22–0 in Melbourne's favor.
Second half
Early in the second half, at the five-minute mark, Ryan Papenhuyzen sprinted 70 metres from a scrum to score Melbourne’s final try of the game. Penrith responded when Isaah Yeo cleverly ran behind a teammate and kicked the ball for Brian To'o to finish in the corner at the 53rd minute. Despite controversy over the lack of defensive pressure from Storm players, the video referee upheld the try. In the 67th minute, Papenhuyzen made an athletic play by leaping over the sideline to keep a Penrith penalty kick in play. Two minutes later, Jarome Luai assisted Stephen Crichton, who scored to reduce the deficit to 12–26.
At the 71st minute, a collision occurred between Viliame Kikau and Jahrome Hughes while contesting the ball; Hughes received a sin-bin penalty for professional foul play. Shortly after, Luai delivered a long pass to Josh Mansour, who scored, narrowing Penrith’s gap to 16–26 with seven minutes remaining. The subsequent conversion attempt by Nathan Cleary was unsuccessful. With just over one minute left on the clock, Brandon Smith was sin-binned for another professional foul, leaving Melbourne with 11 players on the field. Penrith capitalized swiftly as Cleary scored a rapid try. In the final 20 seconds, Cleary opted not to take the conversion kick, aiming to extend the game into extra time for Penrith to pursue a draw. After kickoff and as the siren sounded, despite frantic passing efforts, Penrith’s attack was intercepted by Melbourne's Felise Kaufusi, sealing the victory.
Ryan Papenhuyzen earned his first Clive Churchill Medal as best player on the field. This Grand Final is notable as only the second instance where both halves featured scoring exceeding 20 points—the first being in the 2001 NRL Grand Final. In both matches, the winning team established a lead greater than 20 points by halftime and successfully resisted significant second-half comebacks.
NRL Women's Premiership Grand Final
The 2020 NRL Women's Premiership Grand Final marked the conclusion of the 2020 NRL Women's season.