- Melbourne halfback appeared to mock Panthers players
- Followed celebrations after winning 2020 NRL Grand Final
- Jahrome Hughes later stated he ‘meant no disrespect’
- Vision has been used to motivate Panthers playing group
It may have been five years ago, but Penrith players haven’t forgotten Jahrome Hughes’ savage sledge after Melbourne won the 2020 NRL grand final.
Kiwi international Hughes was a key figure as the Storm denied a fast finishing Panthers side – and in the celebrations that followed, the halfback appeared to mock the likes of Brian To’o and former centre Stephen Crichton for their socially disadvantaged Mt Druitt upbringing.
Hughes later apologised, stating ‘there was no disrespect’ – but that wasn’t the take from Ivan Cleary’s men.
In recent years, the vision has been shown to motivate the playing group – and it is safe to assume it would have been rolled out this week as the Panthers strive for a fourth successive premiership.
It comes as neither head coach was prepared to utter any outlandish statements in the lead up to Sunday’s decider.
Craig Bellamy declared ‘Penrith have grown significantly’ since tasting defeat five years ago when favourites – while Cleary stated coming up short helped create his team’s dynasty.
‘It was definitely an important part of our journey,’ he said. ‘It lit a fuse in that we wanted to make sure we learned from that.
‘We had a really good run that season, but we were taught a lesson that day. Not just by the Storm, but on big occasions.’
Melbourne Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes (left) was sin-binned late in the 2020 grand final – but still ended up with a premiership ring
In the celebrations that followed, Jahrome Hughes appeared to mock the likes of Brian To’o (left) and former centre Stephen Crichton for their Mt Druitt roots
Star halfback Nathan Cleary agreed with his father, adamant the loss has helped his teammates scale new heights.
‘At the time it felt like the worst thing ever,’ Cleary told NRL.com.
‘If you look back, we needed it at the time. We’ve been able to propel ourselves out of that and learn a lot.’
Fullback Dylan Edwards was on the same page, conceding Melbourne ‘got the jump’ on Penrith after leading 26-0 – and that his team ‘got taught a lesson about what grand finals are all about.’
Meanwhile, if victorious on Sunday, Penrith will be crowned the greatest rugby league side in almost 60 years.
Not since the great St George side of last century has a team stood this close to four straight titles, after their record run off 11 premierships between 1956 and 1966.
The grand final will also be the last game in Panthers colours for pivot Jarome Luai and enforcer James Fisher-Harris, who will turn out for the Tigers and Warriors from 2025 onwards.
‘I think that’s why we’ve been able to have sustained success…..because we never look back,’ co-captain Isaah Yeo said.
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