2021 NRL Finals Series

2021 NRL Finals Series
Duration	10 September 2021 – 3 October 2021
Teams	8
Minor premiers	Melbourne Storm
Matches played	9
Broadcast partners	Nine Network Fox League

The 2021 National Rugby League finals series was a tournament staged to determine the winner of the 2021 Telstra Premiership season. The series was played over four weekends in September and October, culminating in the 2021 NRL Grand Final on 3 October 2021. Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in New South Wales the grand final was played outside of Sydney for the first time in competition history, at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium. ^[1]

The top eight teams from the 2021 NRL season qualified for the finals series. NRL finals series have been played under the current format since 2012.

Qualification

See also: 2021 NRL season

2021 NRL season v t e
Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	B	PF	PA	PD	Pts
1	Melbourne Storm	24	21	0	3	1	815	316	+499	44
2	Penrith Panthers (P)	24	21	0	3	1	676	286	+390	44
3	South Sydney Rabbitohs	24	20	0	4	1	775	453	+322	42
4	Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles	24	16	0	8	1	744	492	+252	34
5	Sydney Roosters	24	16	0	8	1	630	489	+141	34
6	Parramatta Eels	24	15	0	9	1	566	457	+109	32
7	Newcastle Knights	24	12	0	12	1	428	571	−143	26
8	Gold Coast Titans	24	10	0	14	1	580	583	−3	22
9	Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks	24	10	0	14	1	520	556	−36	22
10	Canberra Raiders	24	10	0	14	1	481	578	−97	22
11	St. George Illawarra Dragons	24	8	0	16	1	474	616	−142	18
12	New Zealand Warriors	24	8	0	16	1	453	624	−171	18
13	Wests Tigers	24	8	0	16	1	500	714	−214	18
14	Brisbane Broncos	24	7	0	17	1	446	695	−249	16
15	North Queensland Cowboys	24	7	0	17	1	460	748	−288	16
16	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	24	3	0	21	1	340	710	−370	8

Venues

As a result of the 2021 NRL season's relocation to Queensland due to the COVID-19 pandemic in New South Wales and Victoria, all the finals matches were hosted in Queensland with stadiums at full capacity, with the only exception being the grand final at 75% capacity as a result of local COVID-19 cases and Queensland Government restrictions. ^{[2] [3]} This saw Rockhampton and Mackay host their first finals matches, whilst Queensland Country Bank Stadium also played host to their first finals at the venue.

Brisbane	Mackay	Rockhampton
Suncorp Stadium	BB Print Stadium	Browne Park
Capacity: 52,500	Capacity: 12,200	Capacity: 8,000
Games: 3	Games: 2	Games: 1
Brisbane Mackay Rockhampton Sunshine Coast Townsville
Sunshine Coast	Townsville
Sunshine Coast Stadium	Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Capacity: 12,000	Capacity: 25,000
Games: 1	Games: 2

Finals structure

See also: NRL finals system

The system used for the 2021 NRL finals series is a final eight system. The top four teams in the eight receive the "double chance" when they play in week-one qualifying finals, such that if a top-four team loses in the first week it still remains in the finals, playing a semi-final the next week against the winner of an elimination final. The bottom four of the eight play knock-out games – only the winners survive and move on to the next week. Home ground advantage goes to the team with the higher ladder position in the first two weeks and to the qualifying final winners in the third week.

In the second week, the winners of the qualifying finals receive a bye to the third week. The losers of the qualifying final plays the elimination finals winners in a semi-final. In the third week, the winners of the semi-finals from week two play the winners of the qualifying finals in the first week. The winners of those matches move on to the Grand Final. ^[4]

Bracket

	Qualifying and elimination finals					Semi-finals						Preliminary finals				Grand final
		QF1: 10 Sept, Sunshine Coast Stadium
	1	Melbourne	40
	4	Manly Warringah	12			SF1: 17 Sept, BB Print Stadium
						Manly Warringah	42
		EF1: 11 Sept, QCB Stadium				Sydney	6					PF1: 25 Sept, Suncorp Stadium
	5	Sydney	25									Melbourne	6
	8	Gold Coast	24									Penrith	10			GF: 3 Oct, Suncorp Stadium [1]
																Penrith	14
		EF2: 12 Sept, Browne Park										PF2: 24 Sept, Suncorp Stadium				South Sydney	12
	6	Parramatta	28									South Sydney	36
	7	Newcastle	20			SF2: 18 Sept, BB Print Stadium						Manly Warringah	16
						Penrith	8
		QF2: 11 Sept, QCB Stadium				Parramatta	6
	2	Penrith	10
	3	South Sydney	16

Summary

Home	Score	Away	Match Information
			Date and Time	Venue	Referee	Crowd
Qualifying & Elimination Finals
Melbourne Storm	40 – 12	Manly Warringah Sea Eagles	Friday, 10 September, 7:50pm	Sunshine Coast Stadium	Grant Atkins	9,120
Sydney Roosters	25 – 24	Gold Coast Titans	Saturday, 11 September, 5:40pm	Queensland Country Bank Stadium	Adam Gee	15,237
Penrith Panthers	10 – 16	South Sydney Rabbitohs	Saturday, 11 September, 8:05pm	Queensland Country Bank Stadium	Gerard Sutton	18,244
Parramatta Eels	28 – 20	Newcastle Knights	Sunday, 12 September, 4:05pm	Browne Park	Ashley Klein	5,087
Semi-Finals
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles	42 – 6	Sydney Roosters	Friday, 17 September, 7:50pm	BB Print Stadium	Gerard Sutton	5,824
Penrith Panthers	8 – 6	Parramatta Eels	Saturday, 18 September, 7:50pm	BB Print Stadium	Ashley Klein	6,011
Preliminary Finals
South Sydney Rabbitohs	36 – 16	Manly Warringah Sea Eagles	Friday, 24 September, 8:05pm	Suncorp Stadium	Ashley Klein	26,249
Melbourne Storm	6 – 10	Penrith Panthers	Saturday, 25 September, 4:00pm	Suncorp Stadium	Gerard Sutton	29,011
Grand Final
Penrith Panthers	14 – 12	South Sydney Rabbitohs	Sunday, 3 October, 6:30pm (AEST), 7:30pm (AEDT)	Suncorp Stadium	Gerard Sutton	39,322

Qualifying & Elimination Finals

1st Qualifying Final (Melbourne v Manly Warringah)

The First Qualifying Final saw the 1st placed Melbourne Storm against the 4th placed Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. This was the fifth finals meeting between these clubs and the first since the 2012 Preliminary Final.

Friday, 10 September 7:50pm

Melbourne Storm	40 – 12	Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Tries: Ryan Papenhuyzen (39', 45') 2 Isaac Lumelume (3') 1 Kenneath Bromwich (10') 1 Christian Welch (14') 1 Justin Olam (77') 1 Goals: Ryan Papenhuyzen 7/8 (5', 15', 24' pen, 40', 47', 61' pen, 78') Field Goals: Ryan Papenhuyzen (80' 2 pt) 1	1st: 24 – 6 2nd: 16 – 6	Tries: 2 (31', 51') Jason Saab Goals: 2/2 Reuben Garrick (32', 53')

Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast Attendance: 9,120 Referee: Grant Atkins

Team lists:

FB 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen WG 2 George Jennings CE 3 Reimis Smith CE 4 Justin Olam WG 5 Isaac Lumelume FE 6 Cameron Munster HB 7 Jahrome Hughes PR 8 Jesse Bromwich (c) HK 9 Brandon Smith PR 10 Christian Welch SR 11 Felise Kaufusi SR 12 Kenneath Bromwich LK 13 Dale Finucane Substitutes: IC 14 Harry Grant IC 15 Tui Kamikamica IC 16 Nelson Asofa-Solomona IC 17 Nicho Hynes Concussion Substitute: RE 19 Tom Eisenhuth Coach: Craig Bellamy

FB 1 Tom Trbojevic WG 2 Jason Saab CE 3 Brad Parker CE 4 Morgan Harper WG 5 Reuben Garrick FE 6 Kieran Foran HB 7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c) PR 8 Josh Aloiai HK 15 Karl Lawton PR 10 Martin Taupau SR 11 Haumole Olakau'atu SR 12 Josh Schuster LK 13 Jake Trbojevic Substitutes: IC 14 Dylan Walker IC 16 Sean Keppie IC 17 Taniela Paseka IC 20 Curtis Sironen Concussion Substitute: RE 19 Moses Suli Coach: Des Hasler

Officials: Grant Atkins (Referee) Todd Smith (Touch Judge) Peter Gough (Touch Judge) Ashley Klein (Bunker)

1st Elimination Final (Sydney v Gold Coast)

The First Elimination Final saw the 5th placed Sydney Roosters against the 8th placed Gold Coast Titans. This was the second finals meeting between these clubs after meeting in the 2010 Preliminary Final.

Saturday, 11 September 5:40pm

Sydney Roosters	25 – 24	Gold Coast Titans
Tries: Matt Ikuvalu (24') 1 James Tedesco (32') 1 Daniel Tupou (42') 1 Josh Morris (60') 1 Goals: Adam Keighran 4/5 (11' pen, 34', 43', 61') Field Goals: Sam Walker (78') 1	1st: 12 – 6 2nd: 13 – 18	Tries: 1 (40') Beau Fermor 1 (47') Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 1 (55') Brian Kelly 1 (69') Jarrod Wallace Goals: 4/5 Jamal Fogarty (14' pen, 48', 56', 71') Sin Bin: (10') Tyrone Peachey

Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 15,237 Referee: Adam Gee

Team lists:

FB 1 James Tedesco (c) WG 2 Daniel Tupou CE 3 Josh Morris CE 4 Adam Keighran WG 5 Matt Ikuvalu FE 6 Drew Hutchison HB 7 Lachlan Lam PR 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves HK 9 Sam Verrills PR 15 Isaac Liu SR 11 Angus Crichton SR 12 Sitili Tupouniua LK 13 Victor Radley Substitutes: IC 10 Siosuia Taukeiaho IC 14 Sam Walker IC 16 Egan Butcher IC 17 Fletcher Baker Concussion Substitute: RE 18 Dale Copley Coach: Trent Robinson

FB 1 Jayden Campbell WG 2 Phillip Sami CE 3 Brian Kelly CE 4 Patrick Herbert WG 5 Corey Thompson FE 6 Tyrone Peachey HB 7 Jamal Fogarty (c) PR 8 Jarrod Wallace HK 9 Mitch Rein PR 10 Moeaki Fotuaika SR 11 Kevin Proctor SR 12 Beau Fermor LK 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui Substitutes: IC 14 Erin Clark IC 15 Sam Lisone IC 16 David Fifita IC 17 Jaimin Jolliffe Concussion Substitute: RE 18 Sam McIntyre Coach: Justin Holbrook

Officials: Adam Gee (Referee) Liam Kennedy (Touch Judge) Chris Butler (Touch Judge) Steve Chiddy (Bunker)

2nd Qualifying Final (Penrith v South Sydney)

The Second Qualifying Final saw the 2nd placed Penrith Panthers against the 3rd placed South Sydney Rabbitohs. This was the second finals meeting between these clubs and a rematch of the 2020 Preliminary Final.

Saturday, 11 September 7:50pm

Penrith Panthers	10 – 16	South Sydney Rabbitohs
Tries: Stephen Crichton (9') 1 Goals: Nathan Cleary 3/3 (10', 29' pen, 40' pen)	1st: 10 – 10 2nd: 0 – 6	Tries: 1 (25') Cody Walker 1 (44') Jaxson Paulo Goals: 4/5 Adam Reynolds (4' pen, 27', 35' pen, 65' pen)

Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 18,244 Referee: Gerard Sutton

Team lists:

FB 2 Stephen Crichton WG 5 Brian To'o CE 3 Paul Momirovski CE 4 Matt Burton WG 20 Charlie Staines FE 6 Jarome Luai HB 7 Nathan Cleary (c) PR 10 James Fisher-Harris HK 9 Apisai Koroisau PR 18 Matthew Eisenhuth SR 12 Kurt Capewell SR 17 Liam Martin LK 13 Isaah Yeo Substitutes: IC 11 Viliame Kikau IC 14 Mitch Kenny IC 15 Spencer Leniu IC 16 Tevita Pangai Junior Concussion Substitute: RE 19 Izack Tago Coach: Ivan Cleary

FB 1 Blake Taaffe WG 2 Alex Johnston CE 3 Dane Gagai CE 4 Campbell Graham WG 5 Jaxson Paulo FE 6 Cody Walker HB 7 Adam Reynolds (c) PR 8 Mark Nicholls HK 9 Damien Cook PR 10 Tevita Tatola SR 11 Keaon Koloamatangi SR 12 Jaydn Su'A LK 13 Cameron Murray Substitutes: IC 14 Benji Marshall IC 15 Jacob Host IC 16 Thomas Burgess IC 17 Jai Arrow Concussion Substitute: RE 21 Patrick Mago Coach: Wayne Bennett

Officials: Gerard Sutton (Referee) Dave Munro (Touch Judge) Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski (Touch Judge) Alan Shortall (Bunker)

2nd Elimination Final (Parramatta v Newcastle)

The Second Elimination Final saw the 6th placed Parramatta Eels against the 7th placed Newcastle Knights. This was the fourth finals meeting between these clubs and the first since the 2001 Grand Final.

Sunday, 12 September 4:05pm

Parramatta Eels	28 – 20	Newcastle Knights
Tries: Blake Ferguson (38', 48') 2 Waqa Blake (10') 1 Mitchell Moses (36') 1 Will Penisini (77' pen) 1 Goals: Mitchell Moses 4/5 (11', 38', 50', 78')	1st: 16 – 10 2nd: 12 – 10	Tries: 3 (2', 53', 58') Enari Tuala 1 (25') Hymel Hunt Goals: 2/4 Jake Clifford (27', 54')

Browne Park, Rockhampton Attendance: 5,087 Referee: Ashley Klein

Team lists:

FB 1 Clinton Gutherson (c) WG 2 Haze Dunster CE 3 Will Penisini CE 4 Waqa Blake WG 5 Blake Ferguson FE 6 Dylan Brown HB 7 Mitchell Moses PR 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard HK 9 Ray Stone PR 10 Junior Paulo SR 11 Shaun Lane SR 12 Marata Niukore LK 13 Nathan Brown Substitutes: IC 14 Will Smith IC 15 Bryce Cartwright IC 16 Isaiah Papali'i IC 17 Makahesi Makatoa Concussion Substitute: RE 20 Tom Opacic Coach: Brad Arthur

FB 1 Kalyn Ponga WG 2 Enari Tuala CE 3 Kurt Mann CE 4 Bradman Best WG 5 Hymel Hunt FE 6 Jake Clifford HB 7 Mitchell Pearce PR 8 Jacob Saifiti HK 9 Jayden Brailey (c) PR 10 Daniel Saifiti SR 11 Tyson Frizell SR 12 Mitchell Barnett LK 13 Connor Watson Substitutes: IC 14 Sauaso Sue IC 15 David Klemmer IC 16 Josh King IC 17 Brodie Jones Concussion Substitute: RE 20 Simi Sasagi Coach: Adam O'Brien

Officials: Ashley Klein (Referee) Phil Henderson (Touch Judge) Jon Stone (Touch Judge) Grant Atkins (Bunker)

Semi-Finals

1st Semi-Final (Manly Warringah v Sydney)

The First Semi-Final saw the loser of the First Qualifying Final, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles against the winner of the First Elimination Final, the Sydney Roosters. This was the ninth finals meeting between the clubs and the first since the 2013 Grand Final.

Friday, 17 September 7:50pm

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles	42 – 6	Sydney Roosters
Tries: Tom Trbojevic (6', 46') 2 Kieran Foran (12') 1 Daly Cherry-Evans (18') 1 Morgan Harper (32') 1 Dylan Walker (48') 1 Jason Saab (69') 1 Goals: Reuben Garrick 7/7 (8', 14', 19', 34', 47', 50', 71')	1st: 24 – 6 2nd: 18 – 0	Tries: 1 (25') Matt Ikuvalu Goals: 1/2 Adam Keighran (40' pen)

BB Print Stadium, Mackay Attendance: 5,824 Referee: Gerard Sutton

Team lists:

FB 1 Tom Trbojevic WG 2 Jason Saab CE 3 Brad Parker CE 4 Morgan Harper WG 5 Reuben Garrick FE 6 Kieran Foran HB 7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c) PR 8 Josh Aloiai HK 9 Lachlan Croker PR 16 Sean Keppie SR 11 Haumole Olakau'atu SR 12 Josh Schuster LK 13 Jake Trbojevic Substitutes: IC 10 Martin Taupau IC 14 Dylan Walker IC 15 Karl Lawton IC 17 Taniela Paseka Concussion Substitute: RE 19 Moses Suli Coach: Des Hasler

FB 1 James Tedesco (c) WG 2 Daniel Tupou CE 3 Josh Morris CE 4 Adam Keighran WG 5 Matt Ikuvalu FE 6 Lachlan Lam HB 7 Drew Hutchison PR 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves HK 20 Ben Marschke PR 10 Isaac Liu SR 11 Angus Crichton SR 12 Sitili Tupouniua LK 13 Victor Radley Substitutes: IC 14 Sam Walker IC 15 Nat Butcher IC 16 Egan Butcher IC 17 Fletcher Baker Concussion Substitute: RE 18 Dale Copley Coach: Trent Robinson

Officials: Gerard Sutton (Referee) Dave Munro (Touch Judge) Todd Smith (Touch Judge) Ashley Klein (Bunker)

2nd Semi-Final (Penrith v Parramatta)

The Second Semi-Final saw the loser of the Second Qualifying Final, the Penrith Panthers against the winner of the Second Elimination Final, the Parramatta Eels. This was the third finals meeting between the clubs and the first since the 2000 Semi-Final.

Saturday, 18 September 7:50pm

Penrith Panthers	8 – 6	Parramatta Eels
Tries: Kurt Capewell (17') 1 Goals: Nathan Cleary 2/2 (18', 40' pen)	1st: 8 – 6 2nd: 0 – 0	Tries: 1 (11') Waqa Blake Goals: 1/1 Mitchell Moses (12')

BB Print Stadium, Mackay Attendance: 6,011 Referee: Ashley Klein

Team lists:

FB 1 Dylan Edwards WG 2 Stephen Crichton CE 3 Paul Momirovski CE 4 Matt Burton WG 20 Brent Naden FE 6 Jarome Luai HB 7 Nathan Cleary (c) PR 8 Moses Leota HK 9 Apisai Koroisau PR 10 James Fisher-Harris SR 12 Kurt Capewell SR 17 Liam Martin LK 13 Isaah Yeo Substitutes: IC 11 Viliame Kikau IC 14 Mitch Kenny IC 15 Scott Sorensen IC 16 Tevita Pangai Junior Concussion Substitute: RE 19 Izack Tago Coach: Ivan Cleary

FB 1 Clinton Gutherson (c) WG 2 Haze Dunster CE 3 Will Penisini CE 4 Waqa Blake WG 5 Blake Ferguson FE 6 Dylan Brown HB 7 Mitchell Moses PR 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard HK 9 Ray Stone PR 10 Junior Paulo SR 11 Shaun Lane SR 12 Marata Niukore LK 13 Nathan Brown Substitutes: IC 14 Will Smith IC 15 Isaiah Papali'i IC 16 Bryce Cartwright IC 17 Ryan Matterson Concussion Substitute: RE 18 Makahesi Makatoa Coach: Brad Arthur

Officials: Ashley Klein (Referee) Phil Henderson (Touch Judge) Jon Stone (Touch Judge) Grant Atkins (Bunker)

Preliminary Finals

2nd Preliminary Final (South Sydney v Manly Warringah)

The Second Preliminary Final saw the winner of the Second Qualifying Final, the South Sydney Rabbitohs against the winner of the First Semi-Final, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. This was the fourteenth finals meeting between these clubs and the first since the 2019 Semi-Final.

Friday, 24 September 8:05pm

South Sydney Rabbitohs	36 – 16	Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Tries: Cody Walker (13', 29') 2 Jaxson Paulo (38', 60') 2 Alex Johnston (23', 80') 2 Campbell Graham (51') 1 Goals: Blake Taafe 4/7 (14', 24', 31', 52')	1st: 22 – 0 2nd: 14 – 16	Tries: 2 (44', 77') Reuben Garrick 1 (74') Tom Trbojevic Goals: 2/3 Reuben Garrick (45', 78') Sin Bin: (68') Josh Aloiai

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 26,249 Referee: Ashley Klein

Team lists:

FB 1 Blake Taaffe WG 2 Alex Johnston CE 3 Dane Gagai CE 4 Campbell Graham WG 5 Jaxson Paulo FE 6 Cody Walker HB 7 Adam Reynolds (c) PR 8 Mark Nicholls HK 9 Damien Cook PR 10 Tevita Tatola SR 11 Keaon Koloamatangi SR 12 Jaydn Su'A LK 13 Cameron Murray Substitutes: IC 14 Benji Marshall IC 15 Jacob Host IC 16 Thomas Burgess IC 17 Jai Arrow Concussion Substitute: RE 19 Patrick Mago Coach: Wayne Bennett

FB 1 Tom Trbojevic WG 2 Jason Saab CE 4 Morgan Harper CE 19 Moses Suli WG 5 Reuben Garrick FE 6 Kieran Foran HB 7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c) PR 8 Josh Aloiai HK 9 Lachlan Croker PR 16 Sean Keppie SR 11 Haumole Olakau'atu SR 12 Josh Schuster LK 13 Jake Trbojevic Substitutes: IC 10 Martin Taupau IC 14 Dylan Walker IC 15 Karl Lawton IC 17 Taniela Paseka Concussion Substitute: RE 21 Tevita Funa Coach: Des Hasler

Officials: Ashley Klein (Referee) Phil Henderson (Touch Judge) Jon Stone (Touch Judge) Grant Atkins (Bunker)

1st Preliminary Final (Melbourne v Penrith)

The First Preliminary Final saw the winner of the First Qualifying Final, the Melbourne Storm against the winner of the Second Semi-Final, the Penrith Panthers. This was the second finals meeting between these clubs and a rematch of the 2020 Grand Final.

Saturday, 25 September 4:00pm

Melbourne Storm	6 – 10	Penrith Panthers
Tries: Ryan Papenhuyzen (63') 1 Goals: Ryan Papenhuyzen 1/1 (65')	1st: 0 – 6 2nd: 6 – 4	Tries: 1 (3') Stephen Crichton 1 (43') Brian To'o Goals: 1/2 Nathan Cleary (5')

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 29,011 Referee: Gerard Sutton

Team lists:

FB 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen WG 2 George Jennings CE 3 Reimis Smith CE 4 Justin Olam WG 5 Josh Addo-Carr FE 6 Cameron Munster HB 7 Jahrome Hughes PR 8 Jesse Bromwich (c) HK 9 Brandon Smith PR 10 Christian Welch SR 11 Felise Kaufusi SR 12 Kenneath Bromwich LK 13 Dale Finucane Substitutes: IC 14 Harry Grant IC 15 Tui Kamikamica IC 16 Nelson Asofa-Solomona IC 17 Nicho Hynes Concussion Substitute: RE 19 Tom Eisenhuth Coach: Craig Bellamy

FB 1 Dylan Edwards WG 2 Stephen Crichton CE 3 Paul Momirovski CE 4 Matt Burton WG 21 Brian To'o FE 6 Jarome Luai HB 7 Nathan Cleary (c) PR 10 James Fisher-Harris HK 9 Apisai Koroisau PR 16 Tevita Pangai Junior SR 12 Kurt Capewell SR 17 Liam Martin LK 13 Isaah Yeo Substitutes: IC 11 Viliame Kikau IC 14 Tyrone May IC 15 Scott Sorensen IC 19 Spencer Leniu Concussion Substitute: RE 5 Brent Naden Coach: Ivan Cleary

Officials: Gerard Sutton (Referee) Dave Munro (Touch Judge) Todd Smith (Touch Judge) Ashley Klein (Bunker)

Grand Final

Main article: 2021 NRL Grand Final

The Grand Final saw the winner of the First Preliminary Final, the Penrith Panthers, against the winner of the Second Preliminary Final, the South Sydney Rabbitohs. This was the third finals meeting between the two sides, after the 2021 Qualifying Final, and the first Grand Final played between the teams.

Sunday, 3 October 6:35 pm (AEST) 7:35 pm (AEDT)

Penrith Panthers	14 – 12	South Sydney Rabbitohs
Tries: Burton (17') 1 Crichton (67') 1 Goals: Cleary 3/3 (19', 33' pen, 69')	1st: 8 - 6 2nd: 6 - 6	Tries: 1 (21') Walker 1 (75') Johnston Goals: 2/3 Reynolds (23', 45' pen)

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 39,322 Clive Churchill Medal: Nathan Cleary Referee: Gerard Sutton

Team lists:

FB 1 Dylan Edwards WG 2 Stephen Crichton CE 3 Paul Momirovski CE 4 Matt Burton WG 5 Brian To'o FE 6 Jarome Luai HB 7 Nathan Cleary (c) PR 8 Moses Leota HK 9 Apisai Koroisau PR 10 James Fisher-Harris SR 12 Liam Martin SR 17 Kurt Capewell LK 13 Isaah Yeo (c) Substitutes: IC 11 Viliame Kikau IC 14 Tyrone May IC 15 Scott Sorensen IC 16 Spencer Leniu Concussion Substitute: RE 18 Brent Naden Coach: Ivan Cleary

FB 1 Blake Taaffe WG 2 Alex Johnston CE 3 Dane Gagai CE 4 Campbell Graham WG 5 Jaxson Paulo FE 6 Cody Walker HB 7 Adam Reynolds (c) PR 8 Mark Nicholls HK 9 Damien Cook PR 10 Tevita Tatola SR 11 Keaon Koloamatangi SR 12 Jaydn Su'A LK 13 Cameron Murray Substitutes: IC 14 Benji Marshall IC 15 Jacob Host IC 16 Tom Burgess IC 17 Jai Arrow Concussion Substitute: RE 19 Patrick Mago Coach: Wayne Bennett

Officials: Gerard Sutton (Referee) Dave Munro (Touch Judge) Todd Smith (Touch Judge) Grant Atkins (Bunker)

References

1. "114-year first as Brisbane confirmed to host NRL Grand Final". Fox Sports. 8 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
2. "Everything you need to know about finals: All venues announced". National Rugby League. 2021-09-11. Retrieved 2021-09-12.
3. Walsh, Dan (2 October 2021). "Tickets to be refunded after government caps grand final crowd at 75%". NRL New. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
4. "NRL finals format explained: How do the NRL finals work?". The Roar. Retrieved 18 September 2020.