Panthers maul Eels to win another NRL title

Penrith has gone back to back in one of the all-time Grand Final wins to cap off a season like rugby league has never seen before.

The Panthers have become the first club in the 113-year history of Australian rugby league to win all four grades, capped off by coach Ivan Cleary overseeing the NRL dynasty.

It was supposed to be a blockbuster western Sydney showdown - the first time the two rival clubs ever met in a decider - but it instead turned into a bloodbath as Penrith pulled off a famous 28-12 win.

It was 28-0 before Parramatta avoided complete embarrassment by scoring two late tries.

The match kicked off after some pre-match entertainment, featured Aussie icon Jimmy Barnes, that divided fans.

Accor Stadium was rocking when the match kicked off with the atmosphere described as something rarely seen in the sport.

The Eels were clearly overawed, while the Panthers were absolutely clinical in racing out to an 18-0 lead at half time - and it didn't get any better in the second half.

The first half action included an ugly moment where Panthers playmaker Jarome Luai appeared to kick Isaiah Papali'i as he was on the ground.

The day didn't start out how Parramatta fans wanted it to with the Eels beaten by Newcastle in the NRLW Grand Final 32-12. It was just a bad day all round to be an Eels fan.

The loss also means the Eels premiership drought will stretch into a 37th season - which was already the longest in the NRL.

Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary claimed the match was greatest the dominant Penrith side has ever played.

"I think our first half was the best we have ever played," Cleary said on Nine.

"I was thinking that today when I woke up. I thought we have put some really good seasons together but we have never really come off. That's the best game we could play. I think the first half was just about that."

Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards claimed the Clive Churchill Medal for best on ground in the grand final, having run a match high 281m and pulling off a desperate try saver despite the Penrith already holding a dominant lead.

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission