The 2021 NRL grand final will see the Penrith Panthers take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs for the Provan-Summons Trophy.
The Rabbitohs and Panthers reached the season finale after defeating Manly and Melbourne respectively in the preliminary finals.
What time does the NRL grand final start?
The NRL grand final between the Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs will be on October 3, 2021 and start at 7.30pm (AEDT), meaning a 6.30pm kick-off local time in Queensland.
Where is the NRL grand final being played?
The NRL grand final will be played at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, with a crowd permitted to attend amid the current COVID-19 restrictions. It will be the first time the grand final is held outside of Sydney in the 114-season history of rugby league in Australia.
Clive Churchill Medal
Much of the focus of Sunday’s grand final will be on the player who’s deemed best on ground, earning Clive Churchill Medal honours.
According to Sportsbet, the top five favourites to take out the medal are Nathan Cleary ($4.00), Cody Walker ($6.50), Cameron Murray ($11.00), Isaah Yeo ($11.00) and Apisai Koroisau ($13.00).
But in the eyes of rugby league great Peter Sterling, Penrith back-rower Kurt Capewell, who’s bound for the Broncos next season, “has gone under-the-radar” despite producing a standout performance during Penrith’s upset over the Storm.
“I thought Kurt Capewell was the best player on the field [against Melbourne],” he told Wide World of Sports’ Sterlo’s Wrap.
“Some of his efforts running the football out from his own line where there weren’t many others lining up to do so, was just phenomenal.
“Defensively, some of the key tackles he made were profound. Brisbane bought quality in Kurt Capewell.
“For some reason, he doesn’t carry the profile of some of the other forwards… Kurt Capewell has gone under the radar a little bit.”
Match day schedule
12pm local AEST time (1pm AEDT): Gates open
12.15pm: Intrust Super Cup preliminary final
2.45pm: Intrust Super Cup preliminary final
4.30pm: Retiring players farewell
5.30pm: Pre-game entertainment
6.30pm (7.30pm AEDT): Panthers vs Rabbitohs grand final
How to watch the NRL grand final live and stream free online
You can tune into Channel 9 and 90 to see the match being broadcast on television. Nine’s grand final day coverage kicks off in the morning with Sports Sunday, The Sunday Footy Show, a special grand final preview show. Grand final programming resumes on Nine at 6.30pm (AEST), immediately following Nine News.
To stream online, 9Now provides a free live stream of the match broadcast on Nine. Users will need to login or create a free Nine Account to access the streams.
To watch you can either select the Live TV tab in the navigation or you can go to the NRL premiership show page on 9Now.
Where to buy tickets to the NRL grand final
To purchase tickets and find out more about ticket pricing, on-sale dates, and stadium information, visit nrl.com/tickets.
How will each team line-up?
Panthers squad as named on Tuesday: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Stephen Crichton 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Matt Burton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Tyrone May 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Liam Martin 18. Brent Naden 19. Mitch Kenny 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Charlie Staines
Rabbitohs squad as named on Tuesday: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Dane Gagai 4. Campbell Graham 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Mark Nicholls 9. Damien Cook 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Cameron Murray 14. Benji Marshall 15. Jacob Host 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Jai Arrow 18. Taane Milne 19. Patrick Mago 20. Braidon Burns 21. Jed Cartwright
The NRL grand final entertainment
Pre-game entertainment at Suncorp Stadium will have a Queensland flavour with Kate Miller-Heidke chosen to sing the Australian national anthem.
Then Miller-Heidke and Cold Chisel icon Ian Moss, DJs The Stafford Brothers, Timmy Trumpet, didgeridoo player and composer William Barton and a 40-piece orchestra will continue the NRL grand final entertainment, complete with a spectacular light show.
Betting odds (via Sportsbet), correct at time of publishing
South Sydney Rabbitohs $2.25
Penrith Panthers $1.68
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