Penrith Panthers have been crowned the 2023 NRL premiers after a thrilling 26-24 victory over the Broncos, with Nathan Cleary snatching victory from the jaws of defeat with an all-time grand final performance in the last 15 minutes.
The Panthers were out to an 8-0 lead after half an hour due to a horror error from a short drop out by the Broncos.
However, a try at half-time to Tom Flegler gave Brisbane momentum heading into the break.
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Ezra Mam's second half hat-trick then blew the game wide open to put his side ahead 24-8.
The Panthers weren't done though, with Moses Leota and Stephen Crichton scoring to keep their side alive at 24-20 with 10 minutes remaining. Cleary threw the final pass for both tries, cutting the Broncos' defensive line open with a game-turning line break to set up Leota's. He also kicked a 40/20 in that period, decisively snatching the momentum for his team and adding a second Clive Churchill Medal to his glistening CV.
Cleary struck the dagger blow with three minutes remaining, bringing Panthers supporters to their feet by cutting up the Broncos defence and scoring the winner.
"Thank you so much to everyone who turned out. It honestly doesn't feel real right now, I can't wait for it to set in," Cleary said post-game.
"To the Broncos boys, you're an absolutely beast team. You're very young.
"Shout-out to Ezra Mam, as well, you're a freak.
"Thanks for that game. It was the hardest game I've ever played.
"To our boys, nothing but love, we've worked so hard for this, and we're still just getting started."
For the Broncos, coach Kevin Walters cut a dejected figure in his press conference, describing his side's dressing room as "very quiet".
"No emotion in there, very quiet, just hard to get your head around what actually happened, I feel for all the players in there they gave so much, it just wasn't enough in the end," he said.
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