The Panthers players still haven’t forgotten that 2020 grand final.
The Melbourne Storm are looking to stop the Panthers juggernaut in the NRL grand final and their drive comes after being shown footage of Jahrome Hughes mocking Penrith following the 2020 loss. Penrith have dominated the NRL in recent years with this year’s showdown their fifth straight grand final.
Melbourne haven’t lost a final since going down to the Storm in 2020 and after the game Hughes prompted controversy as he appeared to mock the Panthers players using hand gestures. Since the loss humiliating loss, the Panthers have won three-straight premierships and are looking to make history with a fourth against their rivals.
The 2020 loss was somewhat of a catalyst for the Panthers. And in the past, Brian To’o admitted the Penrith players used it as motivation when they were shown Hughes’ gestures in a video session. The Panthers stars were also shown a number of off-the-ball incidents during the 2020 grand final loss, which showed the players being ‘roughed up’.
Since then, the Panthers have been on a tear as they created one of the greatest rugby league dynasties. And they have even been labelled ‘arrogant’ as they carry swagger into every season off the back of another premiership. However, this could be put down to the players carrying a sense of pride after feeling the lows of the 2020 grand final disaster.
And leading up to another Storm-Panthers grand final, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary was asked if the 2020 defeat was a changing of the guard. And Cleary remained coy over the 2020 defeat, but admitted it was a turning point for some players.
“It’s hard to say if it was the most important game (in our run), but it was definitely an important part of our journey,” he said. “It definitely lit a fuse of fire in that we wanted to make sure we learned from that.
“We had a really good run but we were taught a lesson that day. Not just by the Storm, but just on big occasions.” Storm coach Bellamy was also asked if that final may have propelled Penrith’s to new heights. Bellamy attempted to quell the drama ahead of the upcoming grand final.
“I’ve never thought of it like that,” Bellamy said. “I just worried about what we’re doing. Obviously winning that grand final was a great moment for us. But there were some things the Panthers have clearly grown from as well.”
Storm and Panthers rivaly to continue in grand final
Hughes is a different player than he was in 2020 having just claimed the Dally M award for 2024. The Storm halfback is more reserved and often shies away from the attention. However, the Panthers players that still remain have also grown immeasurably since that defeat. Co-captains Isaah Yeo and Nathan Cleary were both there five years ago. And Yeo had admitted the Panthers players have learned from that game.
“We were so young, we hadn’t been a part of it (before),” Yeo said. “They taught us a few lessons in that game, how to win on the big stage. I’ve felt we’ve been able to carry those lessons on and pass those on to new players that haven’t experienced it. That was a big one for us.”
Despite the fierce rivaly between the two teams, coach Cleary was full of praise for rival coach Bellamy and the Storm for their consistency over the last 20 years. “When we set our sights on becoming something, (that was it),” Cleary said.
“I am very attracted to consistent and professional sports teams. If you look across the world in different team sports, I think Melbourne would stand up against anyone.”
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