Everything you need to know about the NRL grand final: The complete breakdown of what’s happening on footy’s biggest day as Parramatta clash with Penrith for the title
- NRL decider returns to Sydney after it was held in Brisbane last year due to Covid
- Curtain-raiser games begin from 1.30pm; two lots of pre-match entertainment
- Newcastle Knights play the Parramatta Eels in the NRLW Grand Final at 3.55pm
It’s the day footy fans have been waiting for since the season kicked off on March 10: the NRL grand final has finally arrived and this year it sees the Parramatta Eels clash with defending premiers the Penrith Panthers.
Here’s everything you need to know about the biggest day on the rugby league calendar…
THE SCHEDULE AND ENTERTAINMENT (ALL TIMES AEST)
Calm before the storm Penrith coach Ivan Cleary (left) shakes hands with his Parramatta counterpart Brad Arthur as their teams gather around the trophy they’ll be fighting for
1.00pm: Gates open at Accor Stadium in Homebush.
1.30pm: The Penrith Panthers represent NSW in the State Cup Championship Grand Final against Queensland’s Norths Devils. The match pits the winner of the Queensland Cup against the winner of the NSW Cup.
3.20pm: The first of two scheduled rounds of pre-game entertainment. This one acts as a curtain raiser to the NRLW grand final and sees Aussie music icon Jimmy Barnes’s daughter Mahalia Barnes combine with western Sydney’s A.GIRL and Emma Donovan to perform the classic song ‘The Real Thing’, originally sung by Russell Morris.
3.55pm: The NRLW Grand Final between the Newcastle Knights and Parramatta Eels. The Knights finished second on the ladder, the Eels fourth after both sides failed to make the finals last year. Newcastle are favourites for the clash despite Parra knocking the reigning premier Roosters out of contention.
Parramatta go into the NRLW Grand Final as underdogs despite knocking off reigning premiers the Roosters to make the decider
Newcastle are seen beating the Dragons 30-6 to leave them on the cusp of winning the comp
Aussie music icon Jimmy Barnes – a grand final veteran – will take to the stage in the year’s biggest game once more, along with Diesel and hip-hop group Bliss n Eso
6.30pm: The second instalment of pre-match entertainment. Jimmy Barnes, Diesel, Emma Donovan, Sheldon Riley and Josh Teskey will all be featured, with Aussie hip-hop outfit Bliss n Eso and JOY turning in a tribute to retiring NRL players.
7.30pm: Kickoff for the NRL Grand Final between the Eels and Panthers. However, grand finals rarely start precisely on time, so be prepared for a delay before the action gets underway. The national anthem will be sung by Alinta Chidzey, star of Moulin Rouge: The Musical.
HOW TO WATCH
Channel Nine’s coverage rolls from the Sunday Footy Show straight into the State Cup Championship grand final at 1.20pm.
The broadcaster’s coverage of the NRLW decider begins at 3.55pm, there’s a half-hour break for the news at 6pm, then the coverage continues until 10.30pm with post-match news, interviews and more.
Fans can also stream the action on 9Now, or listen in on ABC, 2GB, SEN and Triple M radio.
Fox Sports will have pre-game coverage but Nine has the only live broadcast.
Penrith fans swamped their heroes at a fan day at the club’s home ground last week – and are sure to pack out Accor Stadium in the hope their team can make it two titles in a row
Parramatta fans have endured the longest premiership drought of any club in the NRL, with their side last triumphing in 1986 – and they’ll be primed to explode if the Eels get up
THE WEATHER
Sydney is forecast to have a 50 per cent chance of showers east of Parramatta, where Accor Stadium is located. Showers should become less likely in the afternoon – so with any luck, it will stay dry for the game.
THE TEAMS
Penrith: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo. 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon RESERVES: 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Sunia Turuva 22. Chris Smith.
Parramatta: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Waqa Blake 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Ryan Matterson 14. Nathan Brown 15. Jakob Arthur 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Marata Niukore. RESERVES: 18. Bryce Cartwright 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Tom Opacic 21. Ofahiki Ogden 22. Ky Rodwell.
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