Melbourne Storm triumphed over Penrith Panthers in a hard-fought NRL grand final rematch with a scoreline of 30-24. This matchup, held on March 20, 2025, at AAMI Park, showcased a fierce competitive spirit but was marred by injuries to key players and a significant absence that reshaped the dynamic of the game.
From the outset, the Storm displayed their prowess when they quickly garnered a 14-0 lead in the first 20 minutes, thanks to tries from Grant Anderson and Eliesa Katoa, along with a penalty. However, the Panthers faced an immediate setback as their play-making skipper, Nathan Cleary, suffered a concussion merely seven minutes into the match after colliding with Melbourne's Jahrome Hughes. With the absence of Cleary, the Panthers were forced to adapt on the fly, relying on 21-year-old five-eighth Jack Cole, who was making only his 13th NRL appearance, to step into the spotlight.
Pushing through their misfortune, the Panthers showed resilience, especially after replacing Cleary with Blaize Talagi, who made his debut in the match. Despite missing their Test fullback Dylan Edwards, Penrith clawed back into contention with two tries from Paul Alamoti, who showcased his skill, aided significantly by Cole's efforts. Coach Ivan Cleary praised his team's effort despite the loss, stating, "I’m proud of the boys tonight, adding that Nathan had recovered well. "But I thought from a cultural point of view, I thought they were very brave. I thought the boys couldn’t have tried any harder."
In the second half, momentum swung when Casey McLean scored an unchallenged try that pushed the Panthers ahead 16-14. Yet, the Storm quickly recaptured the lead as Xavier Coates made a remarkable leap to score, followed by Tyran Wishart extending the lead to 24-16, keeping the pressure on the Panthers.
Brian To'o, renowned for his tenacity, wasn't to be counted out as he scored twice for the Panthers, bringing the match down to a tense finale. Ryan Papenhuyzen crossed over in the 72nd minute for Melbourne and converted two tries, marking an impressive individual performance for the Storm. Papenhuyzen’s contributions were vital for their eventual victory. However, the Storm defense held their ground, despite Papenhuyzen suffering an ankle injury late in the game and Cameron Munster receiving a report for an alleged hip-drop tackle on Martin.
In retrospect, Storm coach Craig Bellamy reflected on the mixed emotions of the match. While acknowledging the potential complacency with Cleary’s absence, Bellamy maintained, "They [Penrith] are a really professional team, and they know how to win." Bellamy emphasized the need for his players to maintain focus, regardless of the game's circumstances.
The match wound down with both teams displaying extraordinary effort and determination, reflecting the true competitive nature of the NRL. Although Melbourne clinched the win, the heart shown by Penrith on the field hints at a promising future for them as they adapt to challenges. The team will no doubt look to regroup and come back stronger as they continue their campaign.
