The big day is almost here and NRL Grand Final 2024 promises to be one of the most explosive yet as the Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm square off once again.
It will be a day of football, fun and entertainment at Sydney’s Accor Stadium as the Panthers look to write their names in the history books with a record fourth consecutive NRL title.
But the Storm won’t hand it over easily as they look to etch their own name into folklore after already beating the Panthers in 2020 and create a dynasty of their own.
Here’s your guide to football’s biggest day, whether you’re at the match, watching on TV or tuning in from abroad:
The impact of daylight saving time on viewers
Rival coaches Craig Bellamy and Ivan Cleary shake hands before the Provan-Summons Trophy goes to the winner
Jessica Sergis of the Hanen and Tiana Penitani of the Sharks with the NRLW trophy
With daylight saving time starting on October 6, viewers across Australia should take the time adjustments into account when tuning into the 2024 NRL Grand Final. Daylight saving time will move clocks forward an hour in several states, impacting local start times from the broadcast:
- New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania: The match starts at 7.30pm AEDT.
- Queensland: Because this state does not observe daylight saving time, the start time is 6:30 PM AEST.
- South Australia: The match starts at 7:00 PM ACDT.
- Western Australia: Viewers should tune in at 4:30 PM AWST.
- Northern Territory: Kick-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM ACST.
These time zone differences mean viewers will have to adjust their schedules accordingly to watch the grand finale live.
How to watch on television
To catch all the day’s action including Freddy Fittler and Johnathan Thurston, be sure to tune in to Channel 9
For fans watching from home, there are several options to attend the 2024 NRL Grand Final:
- Channel 9: The Grand Final will be broadcast live on Channel 9 with extensive coverage including pre-match entertainment, the match itself and the post-match presentations.
- Streaming on 9Now: Viewers can also stream the game live via 9Now, Channel 9’s online streaming service, offering 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, guaranteeing global access to the grand final.
- Special features: Channel 9 will offer special features such as special player cameras focusing 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 into the game via various radio stations including ABC, Triple M and 2GB. In addition, live viewings of the match will take place at various locations around Penrith, including Panthers Leagues Club and Penrith RSL.
Event schedule and entertainment
The Kid LAROI will headline the entertainment on the day – outside of the footy of course
The grand final will take place on October 6 at Accor Stadium in Sydney, from 7:30pm AEDT. Here is an overview of the day’s program:
- 1:00 PM: The gates open, marking the start of a day full of festivities.
- 1:20 PM: The NRL State Championship grand final begins.
- 3:55 PM: 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.
- 7:30 PM: The main event begins.
- 9:30: Post-match celebrations, including trophy presentations and individual awards.
The entertainment line-up promises an exciting start to the festivities, headlined by Grammy-nominated artist The Kid LAROI.
Betting
The latest odds have the Melbourne Storm as slight favorites at $1.85, while the Panthers are at $2.00. The Clive Churchill Medal, awarded to the best player on site, sees Nathan Cleary and Jahrome Hughes as leading contenders at $4.50, reflecting their influence on the performance of their respective teams.
Tips for participants
Melbourne Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes wants to add the Clive Churchill Medal to the Dally M Award he won last week
Transport: Match tickets include train travel to the Olympic Park. Choose trains to avoid traffic, with frequent services.
Parking: Advance booking is essential for parking at the stadium. You can also 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, providing a lively atmosphere for fans unable to visit the stadium.
Fan activities: Take part in local fan events such as the Panthers Grand Final Day parade in Penrith, a spirited display of team pride.
Match examples
Melbourne storm
Craig Bellamy has steered 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 latest edition of the ‘big four’ – Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jahrome Hughes – are the benchmark for talent at the Storm.
But it is the lesser names, put together by Bellamy, who have also ensured that Melbourne is in a position to challenge Penrith for the premiership on Sunday.
Prop Josh King, second rowers Shawn Blore and Eliesa Katoa and center Nick Meaney struggled to impress at their former clubs but flourished under Bellamy.
And it’s no coincidence that fighters like Bryan Norrie, Brenko Lee, Jaiman Lowe and Blake Green have all previously found major success with the Storm.
Josh King (right) will have to fill the big shoes of Nelson Asofa-Solomona in the decider
The ultra-consistent King has emerged as a key cog in the grand final, especially with the ban on prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Frank Ponissi, the club’s football manager, has been Bellamy’s right-hand man for 15 years and has seen no decline in his drive during his time at the top.
Bellamy was named Dally M coach of the year for the seventh time this week and has taken the team to 21 finals, with the 2010 salary cap miss being the only miss, while his NRL winning percentage sits at 70.
Of current NRL coaches, Wayne Bennett has won seven premierships from ten grand finals in 26 years, but has not had the consistent success of reaching the finals, with a winning percentage of 61.
“He is so driven to be successful,” Ponissi said of Bellamy.
‘He has a great work ethic and a great relationship with the players and you could list a long list of coaching qualities, but I think even though he has been coaching for 22 years with continued success, he has not lost his qualities. desire and energy to be successful.
“Every week, every game, he doesn’t lose that intensity at all, so I think that should be his biggest strength.”
Penrith Panthers
Nathan Cleary and his Penrith Panthers are looking to win their fourth title in a row
There are just 80 minutes left before Penrith is crowned the best rugby league in almost 60 years and joins an elite group in world sport.
Not since the great St. George team of the last century has a team come this close to four straight titles, following their record 11 between 1956 and 1966.
Sunday’s grand final between the Panthers and Melbourne looms as a potential classic: a meeting between two heavyweights and the clear standouts this year.
For the Storm, Sunday’s match at Accor Stadium is a chance to crown a new era, with their star-studded backbone aiming for a first title since the retirement of Cameron Smith.
It is another shot into history for Penrith, having already become 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 grand 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 consecutive titles.
More remarkable is where Penrith’s performance would rank on a national and global scale.
No team in a fully professional Australian sporting league has won four titles in a row this century, with three regularly being the limit in the AFL, NBL and Sheffield Shield.
In women’s cricket, the semi-professional NSW Breakers won ten consecutive 50-over titles between 2005-06 and 2014-15, but that came at a time when most other states were still paying at amateur level.
Worldwide, four-peat varieties are also reserved for the very best.
No team has won the Super Bowl four years in a row, while the World Series, NBA and Stanley Cup haven’t had a four-time champion since the 1970s, ’60s and ’50s, respectively.
A win on Sunday would put Penrith on par with Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain in the major European football competitions of this century and the Crusaders in Super Rugby.