The big day is almost here and NRL Grand Final 2024 promises to be one of the most explosive yet as the Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm lock horns once more.
It will be a day packed full of footy, fun and entertainment at Accor Stadium in Sydney as the Panthers look to carve their names in the history books with a record fourth consecutive NRL title.
But the Storm are not going to hand it over easily, looking to etch their own names in folklore after already beating the Panthers in 2020 and looking to create a dynasty of their own.
Here is your guide to the biggest day in footy, whether you are head to the match, watching on telly, or tuning in from abroad:
Daylight Savings Impact on Viewers
Rival coaches Craig Bellamy and Ivan Cleary shake hands in front of the Provan-Summons Trophy which will go to the victor
Jessica Sergis of the Roosters and Tiana Penitani of the Sharks with the NRLW trophy
With the commencement of daylight savings on October 6th, viewers across Australia need to be mindful of the time adjustments when tuning into the 2024 NRL Grand Final. Daylight savings causes clocks to spring forward by one hour in several states, which affects the local start times for the broadcast:
- New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania: The game will start at 7:30 PM AEDT.
- Queensland: As this state does not observe daylight savings, the start time will be 6:30 PM AEST.
- South Australia: The match begins at 7:00 PM ACDT.
- Western Australia: Viewers should tune in at 4:30 PM AWST.
- Northern Territory: The kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM ACST.
These differences in time zones mean viewers need to adjust their schedules accordingly to watch the grand final live.
How to Watch on Television
To catch all of the day’s action with the likes of Freddy Fittler and Johnathan Thurston you will need to tune into Channel 9
For fans watching from home, there are several options to catch the 2024 NRL Grand Final:
- Channel 9: The grand final will be broadcast live on Channel 9, offering comprehensive coverage that includes the pre-game entertainment, the match itself, and the post-match presentations.
- Streaming on 9Now: Viewers can also stream the game live via 9Now, Channel 9’s online streaming service, which provides flexibility for those preferring to watch on mobile devices or computers.
- International Coverage: For fans outside Australia, the game will be available on various international sports networks, ensuring global access to the grand final.
- Special Features: Channel 9 will offer special features such as dedicated player cameras focusing on key athletes like Nathan Cleary and Ryan Papenhuyzen. This adds an extra layer of engagement for fans wanting an in-depth viewing experience.
Fans can also tune into the game through various radio stations, including ABC, Triple M, and 2GB. Additionally, several venues around Penrith, including Panthers Leagues Club and Penrith RSL, will host live viewings of the game.
Event Schedule and Entertainment
The Kid LAROI will headline the entertainment on the day – outside of the footy of course
The grand final is set for October 6th at Accor Stadium in Sydney, starting at 7:30 PM AEDT. Here’s a breakdown of the day’s schedule:
- 1pm: Gates open, kicking off a day of festivities.
- 1:20pm: The NRL State Championship Grand Final begins.
- 3:55pm: The NRLW Telstra Women’s Premiership Grand Final, featuring the Sydney Roosters and Cronulla Sharks.
- 6:30pm: The pre-game entertainment show, headlined by international star The Kid LAROI.
- 7:30pm: The main event commences.
- 9:30pm: Post-match celebrations, including trophy presentations and individual awards.
The entertainment lineup promises an exhilarating start to the festivities, with Grammy-nominated artist The Kid LAROI leading the charge.
Betting Odds
As of the latest odds, the Melbourne Storm are slight favorites at $1.85, while the Panthers stand at $2.00. The Clive Churchill Medal, awarded to the best player on the ground, sees Nathan Cleary and Jahrome Hughes as leading contenders at $4.50, reflecting their influence on their respective teams’ performances.
Tips for Attendees
Melbourne Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes will be looking to add the Clive Churchill Medal to the Dally M award he won last week
Transportation: Match tickets include train travel to Olympic Park. Opt for trains to avoid traffic, with services running frequently.
Parking: Pre-booking is essential for parking at the stadium. Alternatively, utilize public transport or taxis.
Local Viewing Parties: For those in Penrith, venues like Panthers Leagues Club and Penrith RSL will host live screenings, offering a lively atmosphere for fans unable to attend the stadium.
Fan Activities: Engage in local fan events such as the Panthers Grand Final Day parade in Penrith, a spirited display of team pride.
Match Previews
Melbourne Storm
Craig Bellamy has steered his Melbourne Storm into their 10th grand final in 2024
Heading into his 10th NRL grand final, Craig Bellamy’s ability to turn good players into great is what sets Melbourne and the Storm coach apart.
The newest edition of the ‘big four’ – Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jahrome Hughes – are the benchmark for talent at the Storm.
But it’s the lesser names curated by Bellamy who have also helped put Melbourne in the position to challenge Penrith for the premiership on Sunday.
Prop Josh King, second-rowers Shawn Blore and Eliesa Katoa and centre Nick Meaney struggled to make an impact at their former clubs but flourished under Bellamy.
And it’s no fluke with battlers like Bryan Norrie, Brenko Lee, Jaiman Lowe and Blake Green all previously hitting the big time with the Storm.
Josh King (right) will need to fill the large shoes of Nelson Asofa-Solomona in the decider
The ultra-consistent King has emerged as a key cog in the grand final, particularly with the ban on prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Frank Ponissi, the club’s football manager, has been Bellamy’s right-hand man for 15 years and hasn’t seen his drive diminish over his time at the top.
Bellamy won the Dally M coach of the year for the seventh time this week, has taken the team to 21 finals, with 2010’s salary cap punishment the only miss, while his NRL winning percentage sits at 70.
Of the current NRL coaches, Wayne Bennett has won seven premierships from 10 grand finals in 26 years, but hasn’t had the consistent success of reaching finals, with a winning percentage of 61.
‘He’s so driven to be successful,’ Ponissi said of Bellamy.
‘He’s got great work ethic and has got a great connection with the players and you can rattle off a long list of coaching qualities, but I think that even though he’s been coaching for 22 years with sustained success, he just hasn’t lost his desire and his energy to be successful.
‘Every week, every game, he’s not dropped off that intensity whatsoever, so I think that would have to be his greatest strength.’
Penrith Panthers
Nathan Cleary and his Penrith Panthers are looking to win their fourth consecutive title
Penrith are 80 minutes away from being crowned the greatest rugby league side in almost 60 years, and joining an elite group in world sport.
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 between 1956 and 1966.
Sunday’s grand final between the Panthers and Melbourne looms as a potential classic – a meeting of two heavyweights and the clear stand-outs this year.
For the Storm, Sunday’s clash at Accor Stadium is a chance to crown a new era with their star-studded spine aiming for the first title since the retirement of Cameron Smith.
For Penrith, it is another shot at history after already becoming the first team to reach five consecutive grand finals in more that 50 years.
Nathan Cleary is a fan favourite and could make the difference on grand final day
While they equalled Parramatta’s three consecutive titles of 1981-1983 last year, only South Sydney (1925-1929) and the famous Dragons team have won at least four straight.
More remarkable is where Penrith’s feat would stand on a national and global scale.
No team in a fully professional Australian sporting league has won four straight titles this century, with three regularly being the limit in the AFL, NBL and Sheffield Shield.
In women’s cricket the semi-professional NSW Breakers won 10 straight 50-over titles between 2005-06 and 2014-15, but that came at a time where most other states were still on amateur-level pay.
Globally, four-peats have also been reserved for the very best.
No team has won the Super Bowl for four straight years, while the World Series, NBA and Stanley Cup haven’t had four-time champions since the 1970s, 1960s and 1950s respectively.
A win on Sunday would put Penrith on the levels of Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain in the major European football leagues this century and the Crusaders in Super Rugby.
