- NRL broadcast broadcast error after full-time siren
- Fans spotted an error with the official memorabilia.
- Panthers beat Storm 14-6 in NRL decider
Football fans on social media spotted a blooper that aired on Channel Nine in the moments after Penrith’s historic 14-6 win over the Storm in the NRL grand final.
In a drama-filled grand final that included a scathing accusation and a bunker controversy, Penrith prevailed late in front of a crowd of 80,156 at the Accor Stadium on Sunday night.
The victory makes them only the third team in history to win four consecutive premierships, and the first since the great St George’s team won 11 in a row between 1956 and 1966.
Shortly after full time, the broadcast featured a signed Panthers jersey that viewers could purchase.
However, eagle-eyed fans on social media spotted an error in the featured graph.
‘I’m seeing double here… four Daine Lauries!’ one fan posted alongside an image of the graphic.
In fact, there were two shots of Penrith star Daine Laurie blown up in the image, but the graphic designer can be forgiven as the item is obviously not a finished product yet.
Second rower Liam Martin played close to the best game of his career for Penrith, claiming his first Clive Churchill medal as player of the match.
Eagle-eyed fans spotted one of several errors in the official memorabilia.
The Penrith Panthers have won their fourth consecutive NRL Premiership
Nathan Cleary was excellent again despite appearing to struggle with his shoulder injury late on, while Brian To’o was powerful in yardage before suffering a knee injury.
Jarome Luai also had a fitting end in the Penrith number 6 shirt, playing a hand in the lead-up to two tries in his final game before leaving for Wests Tigers.
Melbourne desperately threw on the suspended Nelson Asofa-Solomona in the middle, while their star column lacked opportunities with Penrith’s territorial dominance.
But they will also feel unlucky after a crucial play in a bunker in the 50th minute, when Jack Howarth appeared to pass and make it 10-10 with a coming kick.
Klein initially ruled that Dylan Edwards and Izack Tago had held Howarth, before the bunker backed the decision even though replays appeared to show the ball was punished.
The Panthers beat the Melbourne Storm 14-6 at Stadium Australia
The score of 10-6 stood for another 10 minutes, before Martin gave Penrith a crucial eight-point lead.
Chasing a Cleary bomb, he jumped to challenge Xavier Coates for the ball, claimed possession and then gave the ball to Moses Leota to put Alamoti over the top.
The Panthers then repelled five straight sets from the Storm on their own line, in what turned out to be decisive plays on their way to another big final victory.
“No one is going to do this again,” said a triumphant Luai after the siren.
‘I can’t put it into words. The story doesn’t matter. We are absorbing this moment.
‘Just winning a grand final is very special. “In this group of guys, no one works harder than these guys and we got what we deserved.”