- Penrith won their fourth consecutive NRL grand final
- They beat Melbourne 14-6 on Sunday night.
- Several big names attended the game.
Penrith Panthers made history on Sunday night when they were crowned premiers for the fourth year in a row after beating the Melbourne Storm 14-6 during Sunday’s NRL Grand Final.
In front of a crowd of approximately 80,156 at Accor Stadium, Ivan Cleary’s team confirmed their sporting immortality with another premiership victory, with his son Nathan Cleary and Liam Martin dazzling under the lights in Sydney.
Some fans were left scratching their heads as the NRL failed to sell out the 83,500-capacity venue, with tickets still available for the men’s main event just hours before kick-off.
But that didn’t spoil the party, with The Kid Laroi entering midfield to provide pre-match entertainment before the show began.
Between the action on the field and the pre-game entertainment, there was plenty of entertainment for fans to enjoy.
Penrith Panthers made history on Sunday night by being crowned premiers for the fourth year in a row.
The Panthers celebrated in the locker room after beating the Melbourne Storm 14-6 at Accor Stadium in Sydney
Melbourne cut dejected full-time figures as they fail to win the Premiership since 2020
But there also appears to have been a bit of networking behind the scenes, with some big names from the worlds of politics, business and sport present at the Accor Stadium, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Perhaps the most notable was the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, who, along with his partner Jodie Haydon, enjoyed the match from the President’s Suite at Sydney Stadium.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton joined the Prime Minister after the pair reportedly backed the Panthers to win, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
NSW Premier Chris Minns and Mark Speakman were also present at the match, along with NSW Governor Margaret Beazley.
Some big names from the world of sport were also seen enjoying the cushioned seats, including former AFL boss Gillon McLachlan.
McLachlan ended his contract as AFL chief executive at the end of the 2023 season, with the director subsequently handing the reins to Andrew Dillon, and has since been appointed chief executive of betting firm Tabcorp.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the NRL grand final on Sunday.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by his wife Jodie Haydon (right) in the Presidential Suite.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was also present at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
Former AFL boss Gillon McLachlan was also reportedly mingling with business figures and politicians in the prestigious stadium suite.
Kid Laroi, who provided the pre-match entertainment before the final, also popped his head into the suite to say hello.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns was also present along with other political figures.
Katy Perry lit up the AFL Grand Final at the MCG last week with a sensational pre-match performance, with the American pop star gliding around in a metal vehicle while singing some of her iconic songs, including ‘Roar’.
On Sunday, pre-match entertainer The Kid Laroi dazzled on stage, before moving on to greet some of the executives inside the corporate hospitality suites.
A number of big names from the broadcasting world were also in attendance, including Channel Nine’s acting chief executive Matt Stanton, as well as the broadcaster’s new president Catherine West.
They were accompanied by NRL chief executive Rachel Kramer, who, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, received applause from those inside the suite, after being announced by NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo.