NRL Grand Final Preview
Penrith Panthers ($1.36) v Parramatta Eels ($3.15)
Sunday 2nd October 7:30PM, Accor Stadium
The NRL Grand Final will be decided in a Western Sydney derby on Sunday evening, as the Penrith Panthers return for their third straight grand final to take on the Parramatta Eels. Penrith have the opportunity to go back-to-back, something only the Roosters in 2018 and 2019 have done since the 1992 and 1993 seasons when the Broncos began their decade of dominance (not counting Super League competition wins), with a win no doubt cementing them as on the best sides this century. The Eels look to break a 36 year drought, dating back to the days of Peter Sterling and Mick Cronin, and will be buoyed by their positive record over their cross town rivals in 2022.
The Panthers couldn’t have been more impressive in their win over the Eels in Week 1 of the Finals, and despite a poor performance in the first half of last week’s Preliminary Final with Souths, they piled on 32 unanswered points to record a dominant win. The Eels found late season form toward the end of the season, and after the aforementioned first up defeat to the Panthers, have put on two impressive performances against the Raiders and away against the Cowboys to find themselves in the grand final. The Eels will have to play a near perfect game to go close to the Panthers, but I can’t see them getting close on Sunday, as the Panthers will cement their place as one of the competitions greatest sides.
Recommended Bet: Panthers 13+ $2.35
First Try Scorer: Villame Kikau $15
