- Melbourne halfback appeared to mock Panthers players
- Celebrations ensued after winning the 2020 NRL Grand Final
- Jahrome Hughes later stated that he ‘meant no disrespect’
- Vision has been used to motivate the Panthers playing group
It may have been five years ago, but Penrith’s players haven’t forgotten Jahrome Hughes’ ferocious sled after Melbourne won the 2020 NRL grand final.
Kiwi international Hughes was a key figure as the Storm denied a fast-finishing Panthers team – and in the celebrations that followed the halfback appeared to mock the likes of Brian To’o and former center Stephen Crichton for their socially disadvantaged Mt Druitt upbringings .
Hughes later apologised, saying: ‘There was no disrespect’, but that was not the view of Ivan Cleary’s men.
In recent years, the vision has proven to be what motivates the playing group – and it is safe to assume it would have been rolled out this week as the Panthers aim for a fourth successive premiership.
It comes as neither head coach was willing to make outlandish statements ahead of Sunday’s decider.
Craig Bellamy declared that ‘Penrith has grown significantly’ since tasting defeat five years ago as favorites – while Cleary declared he fell short – helped create his team’s dynasty.
“It was definitely an important part of our trip,” he said. “It lit a fuse because we wanted to make sure we learned from that.
“We had a really good run that season, but we learned a lesson that day. Not only during the Storm, but also on major occasions.’
Melbourne Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes (left) was sin-binned late in the 2020 grand final but still finished with a premiership ring
During the celebrations that followed, Jahrome Hughes appeared to mock the likes of Brian To’o (left) and former center Stephen Crichton for their Mt Druitt roots.
Star halfback Nathan Cleary agreed with his father, believing the loss has helped his teammates reach new heights.
“Then it felt like the worst thing ever.” Cleary told NRL.com.
“If you look back, we needed it at the time. We were able to move forward from there and learn a lot.”
Fullback Dylan Edwards was on the same page, admitting that Melbourne ‘had the edge’ over Penrith after leading 26-0 – and that his team had ‘learned a lesson about what grand finals are all about.’
Meanwhile, if Penrith win on Sunday they will be crowned the best rugby league side in almost 60 years.
Not since the great St George side of the last century has a team come so close to four titles in a row, following their record 11 premierships between 1956 and 1966.
The grand final will also be the last game in Panthers colors for center Jarome Luai and enforcer James Fisher-Harris, who will play for the Tigers and Warriors from 2025.
“I think that’s why we’ve been able to achieve sustained success… because we never look back,” said co-captain Isaah Yeo.