2023 NRL Grand Final
| Company type | Sporting event |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rugby league |
| Founded | October 1, 2023 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
| Products | Rugby league match |
The 2023 NRL Grand Final served as the culminating match of the 2023 NRL season in Australia, taking place on 1 October 2023 at Accor Stadium in Sydney. The final pitted the Penrith Panthers against the Brisbane Broncos. Penrith, entering as the reigning two-time champions and minor premiers, triumphed 26–24 to secure their fifth premiership title. This victory marked them as the first club in four decades to achieve a three-peat in first-grade premierships, equalling the feat accomplished by the Parramatta Eels from 1981 to 1983. Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary, who scored the decisive try, was awarded his second Clive Churchill Medal for man of the match. The encounter is remembered for the largest comeback in grand final history, with Penrith erasing a 24–8 deficit after 56 minutes by scoring 18 consecutive points.
Prior to the main event, the 2023 NRL State Championship and the NRL Women's Premiership Grand Final took place. The grand final was broadcast live throughout Australia by the Nine Network.
Background
This grand final marked the inaugural championship clash between the Penrith Panthers and the Brisbane Broncos, and was also the first to feature teams from New South Wales and Queensland since 2005. Their previous finals encounter occurred in 2017, when Brisbane defeated Penrith 13–6. The Panthers became only the second team since Melbourne Storm in 2009 to appear in four consecutive grand finals, aiming for their fifth premiership following wins in 1991, 2003, 2021, and 2022. Head coach Ivan Cleary reached his fifth grand final as coach, having secured two victories (2021, 2022) and suffered two defeats (2011, 2020).
The Broncos were vying for their seventh premiership title, their last coming in 2006, with their most recent grand final appearance being a loss in 2015. This final represented Kevin Walters' debut grand final as coach, making him only the second coach to guide Brisbane there after Wayne Bennett.
Both finalists were the top two teams of the regular season, each finishing with an identical record of eighteen wins and six losses. Penrith claimed the minor premiership by virtue of a superior points differential. Both squads achieved commanding wins over Melbourne Storm and New Zealand Warriors during their qualifying and preliminary finals matches.
Penrith Panthers
The 2023 season for Penrith Panthers marked their 57th year competing. Under head coach Ivan Cleary and co-captains Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, they hosted their home fixtures at BlueBet Stadium located in Penrith.
| Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| QF | New Zealand Warriors (H) | 32–6 |
| SF | Bye | N/A |
| PF | Melbourne Storm (H) | 38–4 |
Note: (H) indicates home ground
Brisbane Broncos
The 2023 Brisbane Broncos season represented their 36th year of competition. Coached by Kevin Walters with captaincy held by Adam Reynolds, they were based at the Clive Berghofer Centre and played home games at Suncorp Stadium. This season also saw a club membership record set at 40,207.
| Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| QF | Melbourne Storm (H) | 26–0 |
| SF | Bye | N/A |
| PF | New Zealand Warriors (H) | 42–12 |
Note: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue; (N) = Neutral venue
Team selection
For Penrith, Dylan Edwards, Stephen Crichton, Brian To'o, Jarome Luai, Nathan Cleary, James Fisher-Harris, Liam Martin, Moses Leota, and Isaah Yeo each reached their fourth straight grand final appearance.
Broadcasting
Live coverage of the grand final was available on Australia's Nine Network and New Zealand's Sky Sport. Radio broadcasts were provided by the ABC, Triple M, 2GB, and the SEN.
Entertainment
Pre-match performances featured the cast of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, delivering renditions of classics such as "Proud Mary", "Nutbush City Limits", and "Simply The Best" — a track famously associated with rugby league through its use in the Winfield Cup campaigns from 1989 to 1995. The Australian national anthem was sung by Tim Omaji.
Sharing the spotlight was Indigenous Australian rock group King Stingray, who were also highlighted in Fox League's advertising campaign for the 2023 Finals.
Officiating
Adam Gee officiated his inaugural NRL grand final as referee, supported by touch judges Chris Sutton and David Munro. Ashley Klein fulfilled the role of bunker official.
Attendance
Tickets became available in early August, with club allocations announced following the Preliminary Finals on September 25. The event reached full capacity by September 26, drawing a crowd of 81,947 spectators.
Curtain-raiser matches
The day's preliminary fixtures featured the NRL State Championship clash between the Brisbane Tigers and South Sydney Rabbitohs, alongside the NRL Women's Grand Final contested by the Newcastle Knights and Gold Coast Titans. Both matches were broadcast live on Australia's Nine Network.
Match summary
Both sides commenced the game with intense attacking intent, showcasing aggressive forward momentum. Early possession was largely controlled by Penrith, capitalizing on Brisbane’s handling errors; however, penetrating Brisbane’s defensive line proved difficult until Mitch Kenny crossed for a try in the 17th minute following a knock-on from the kickoff. Brisbane answered just before halftime with Thomas Flegler grounding the ball, trailing narrowly at 8–6.
In the second half, Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam quickly registered a hat-trick, propelling Brisbane to a commanding 24–8 advantage. Despite significant injuries sidelining key Panthers players, Penrith initiated a strong resurgence beginning with Moses Leota’s try in the 62nd minute after a break created by Nathan Cleary. Cleary then delivered an important 40/20 kick and orchestrated Stephen Crichton’s try at the 67th minute, reducing the deficit to 24–20.
Brisbane continued to apply offensive pressure through expansive tactics, but vital defensive interventions from Penrith’s Dylan Edwards thwarted further scoring opportunities. In the closing stages, Crichton’s well-placed grubber kick forced repeated sets for Brisbane, culminating in Mitch Kenny passing to Cleary who broke through multiple defenders to score the decisive try with two minutes remaining. The successful conversion put Penrith ahead 26–24.
Brisbane’s final effort to reclaim possession was undone when Reece Walsh’s pass was intercepted by Scott Sorensen, effectively securing victory for Penrith.
Nathan Cleary was awarded his second Clive Churchill Medal after an outstanding performance that included setting up a try, executing a pivotal kick, and scoring the match-winning try himself. His second-half effort is widely regarded as one of the most exceptional individual displays in grand final history, achieved despite sustaining a knee injury early in the contest.
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Statistics
The Penrith Panthers’ comeback from a 16-point deficit marks the largest turnaround ever recorded in grand final history, eclipsing Melbourne Storm’s previous record of 14 points set in 1999. Penrith overturned a 24–8 shortfall in the last twenty minutes to clinch a dramatic 26–24 victory.
Post-match
By securing the premiership, Penrith Panthers earned qualification for the World Club Challenge, where they will face the winners of the 2023 Super League Grand Final.
Following their triumph, Penrith bid farewell to triple premiership veterans and local juniors Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu, who signed with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Sydney Roosters, respectively. Additionally, bench five-eighth Jack Cogger departed for the Newcastle Knights after one season with Penrith, while utility player Jaeman Salmon, absent from this Grand Final squad but part of Penrith’s 2022 premiership team, also transferred to the Bulldogs.
Opening Matches
Prior to the main event, two preliminary contests were held: the NRL State Championship and the 2023 NRL Women's Premiership Grand Final. These matches were televised live throughout Australia via the Nine Network.