A historic back-to-back victory for a Western Sydney dynasty
In short: The 2022 NRL Grand Final wasn't just another trophy; it was the culmination of a relentless era of dominance. For the first time in 56 years, the Penrith Panthers secured consecutive premierships, cementing their status as a powerhouse and sparking a fierce local rivalry.
On October 2, 2022, the Penrith Panthers defeated the Parramatta Eels 28–12 at Accor Stadium to claim their fourth premiership title. This victory marked the first time in the club's 56-year history that they won back-to-back titles. The match was significant as it represented the first ever grand final between these two clubs, who share a long-standing rivalry known as the Western Sydney Derby.
The Panthers entered the game as minor premiers, having finished the regular season with 20 wins and only four losses (two of which were against Parramatta). This success followed their 2021 title win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Following the Melbourne Storm in 2018, they were the initial squad to secure three straight grand final spots.
For coach Ivan Cleary, it was a landmark achievement; while he had previously suffered losses in 2011 and 2020, this win secured his fourth appearance as a head coach. With no limits on attendance for the first post-COVID-19 pandemic grand final, a crowd of 82,415 people filled the stadium. The game also served as a high-stakes debut for Parramatta coach Brad Arthur, who led his side—which had not appeared in a grand final since 2009—into their first clash against the defending champions. Following the win, Penrith earned the right to compete in the World Club Challenge against St Helens on February 18, 2023.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2022 NRL Grand Final
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