As great as Penrith and Melbourne are as modern day rugby league teams, Sunday’s grand final is nothing but a snore fest for those neutrals who are sick of their dominance and tired of the presence of both in deciders. There has been a sameness about the NRL for some time now and only the Raiders, Eels and Brisbane have provided true interest value heading in the final match of the season over the last few years. Outside of that, the powers at be in the form of the Storm, Panthers and Roosters have continued to present themselves at the big dance.
In fact, of the most recent nine NRL grand finals, one of the big three has been present. The 2024 edition will be the third occasion during that time period when two of the dominant clubs will meet to decide the champion. As such, the majority of league fans around the country will have little interest in who actually reigns supreme.
Some remain unable to forgive the systemic cheating undertaken in Melbourne all those years ago and will be hell-bent on seeing Craig Bellamy and his defiant group humbled on Sunday. Others will have become well and truly sick to death of Penrith victory laps and hope for anything other than a fourth consecutive grand final win, in what is the Panthers’ fifth straight appearance. Penrith celebrate a third consecutive NRL premiership in the change rooms.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images) I sit comfortably in another group; those of us who will watch the match with friends and only out of curio.
