The big day is almost here and the 2024 NRL Grand Final promises to be one of the most explosive yet as the Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm meet once again.
It will be a day full of football, fun and entertainment at Sydney’s Accor Stadium as the Panthers look to etch their names in the history books with a record fourth consecutive NRL title.
But the Storm are not going to give up easily, looking to etch their own names in folklore after beating the Panthers in 2020 and looking to create a dynasty of their own.
Here’s your guide to football’s biggest day, whether you’re going to the game, watching on TV or tuning in from abroad:
Impact of daylight saving time on viewers
Rival coaches Craig Bellamy and Ivan Cleary shake hands in front of the Provan-Summons Trophy which will go to the winner.
Jessica Sergis of the Gallos and Tiana Penitani of the Sharks with the NRLW trophy
With the start of daylight saving time on October 6, viewers across Australia should be aware of the time adjustments when tuning into the 2024 NRL Grand Final. Daylight saving time sees clocks move forward one hour in several states, which affects local broadcast start times:
- New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania: Play will begin at 7:30 pm AEDT.
- Queensland: As this state does not observe daylight saving time, the start time will be 6:30 pm AEST.
- South Australia: Match starts at 7:00 pm ACDT.
- Western Australia: Viewers should tune in at 4:30pm AWST.
- Northern Territory: Kick-off is scheduled for 6:00 pm ACST.
These differences in time zones mean that viewers must adjust their schedules accordingly to watch the grand finale live.
How to watch on television
To catch all of the day’s action with the likes of Freddy Fittler and Johnathan Thurston, you’ll need to tune in to Channel 9.
For fans watching at home, there are several options to watch the 2024 NRL Grand Final:
- Channel 9: The grand final will be broadcast live on Channel 9, offering comprehensive coverage including pre-game entertainment, the match itself and post-match presentations.
- Broadcasting on 9Now: Viewers can also stream the game live via 9Now, Channel 9’s online streaming service, providing flexibility for those who prefer to watch on mobile devices or computers.
- International Coverage: For fans outside Australia, the game will be available on several international sports networks, ensuring global access to the grand final.
- Special features: Channel 9 will offer special features such as dedicated player cameras that will focus on key athletes such as Nathan Cleary and Ryan Papenhuyzen. This adds an extra layer of engagement for fans who want an in-depth viewing experience.
Fans can also tune in to the game via 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 and entertainment programming
Kid LAROI will headline the day’s entertainment, outside of football of course.
The grand final is scheduled for October 6 at Sydney’s Accor Stadium, starting at 7:30 pm AEDT. Here is a breakdown of the day’s schedule:
- 1:00 p.m.: The doors open, ushering in a day of festivities.
- 13:20: The NRL State Championship Grand Final begins.
- 15:55: The NRLW Telstra Women’s Premiership Grand Final, featuring the Sydney Roosters and Cronulla Sharks.
- 6:30 pm: The pre-game entertainment show, headlined by international star The Kid LAROI.
- 19:30: The main event begins.
- 9:30pm: Post-match celebrations, including trophy presentations and individual awards.
The entertainment lineup promises an exciting start to the festivities, with Grammy-nominated artist The Kid LAROI leading the way.
Betting Odds
According to the latest odds, the Melbourne Storm are slight favorites at $1.85, while the Panthers are at $2.00. The Clive Churchill Medal, awarded to the best player on the field, sees Nathan Cleary and Jahrome Hughes as leading contenders at $4.50, reflecting their influence on the performance of their respective teams.
Tips for attendees
Melbourne Storm rider Jahrome Hughes will look to add the Clive Churchill medal to the Dally M award he won last week.
Transportation: Match tickets include train travel to the Olympic Park. Opt for trains to avoid traffic, as services run frequently.
Parking: It is essential to make a prior reservation to park at the stadium. Alternatively, use public transport or taxis.
Local viewing parties: For those in Penrith, venues such as Panthers Leagues Club and Penrith RSL will host live screenings, offering a lively atmosphere for fans unable to attend the stadium.
Fan Activities: Take part in local fan events such as the Panthers Grand Final Day Parade in Penrith, a lively display of team pride.
Match previews
Melbourne Storm
Craig Bellamy has taken his Melbourne Storm to their 10th grand final in 2024
Heading into his 10th NRL grand final, Craig Bellamy’s ability to turn good players into great ones is what sets Melbourne and the Storm coach apart.
The new edition of the ‘big four’ (Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jahrome Hughes) are the benchmark of talent at the Storm.
But it is the smaller names selected by Bellamy that have also helped put Melbourne in position to challenge Penrith for the premiership on Sunday.
Prop Josh King, second-rows Shawn Blore and Eliesa Katoa and center Nick Meaney struggled to make an impact at their former clubs but thrived under Bellamy.
And it’s no coincidence that wrestlers like Bryan Norrie, Brenko Lee, Jaiman Lowe and Blake Green have had great success with the Storm.
Josh King (right) will need to fill Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s shoes in the decider
The ultra-consistent King has become a key cog in the grand final, particularly with the suspension of prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Frank Ponissi, the club’s director of football, has been Bellamy’s right-hand man for 15 years and his drive has not diminished during his time at the top.
Bellamy won the Dally M Coach of the Year award for the seventh time this week, has led the team to 21 finals, with the 2010 salary cap penalty being the only one to fail, while his NRL winning percentage sits at 70.
Of the current NRL coaches, Wayne Bennett has won seven premierships in 10 grand finals in 26 years, but has not had the consistent success of reaching the final, with a winning percentage of 61.
“He’s very motivated to succeed,” Ponissi said of Bellamy.
“He has a great work ethic and a great connection with the players and you can list a long list of qualities as a coach, but I think that even though he has been coaching for 22 years with sustained success, he just hasn’t lost his desire and your energy to succeed.
“Every week, every game, he hasn’t lost that intensity at all, so I think that would have to be his biggest strength.”
Penrith Panthers
Nathan Cleary and his Penrith Panthers look to win their fourth consecutive title
Penrith are 80 minutes away from being crowned the best rugby league team in almost 60 years and joining an elite group in global sport.
Not since the great St George’s of the last century has a team come so close to four consecutive titles, after their record 11 between 1956 and 1966.
Sunday’s grand final between the Panthers and Melbourne is shaping up to be a potential classic – a meeting between two heavyweights and this year’s clear standouts.
For the Storm, Sunday’s clash at Accor Stadium is a chance to cap a new era with their star-studded column aiming for a first title since Cameron Smith’s retirement.
For Penrith, it is another chance to make history after already becoming the first team to reach five consecutive grand finals in more than 50 years.
Nathan Cleary is a fan favorite and could make the difference on the big final day.
While last year they equaled Parramatta’s three consecutive titles from 1981-1983, only South Sydney (1925-1929) and the famous Dragons team have won at least four in a row.
More notable is where Penrith’s feat would rank on a national and global scale.
No team in a fully professional Australian sporting league has won four consecutive titles this century, with three being the usual limit in the AFL, NBL and Sheffield Shield.
In women’s cricket, the semi-professional NSW Breakers won 10 consecutive 50-over titles between 2005-06 and 2014-15, but that came at a time when most other states were still receiving amateur-level salaries.
At the global level, the four positions have also been reserved for the best.
No team has won the Super Bowl for four consecutive years, while the World Series, NBA and Stanley Cup have not had four-time champions since the 1970s, 1960s and 1950s, respectively.
A win on Sunday would put Penrith level with Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain in this century’s major European football leagues and the Crusaders in Super Rugby.