By Casey O'Connor
And so ends another season where Rugby League was saved by Queensland (don’t try telling Queenslanders, NSW and Sydney is the home of rugby league – Bah).
On Sunday night, Suncorp Stadium was showcased in all its glory as the premier NRL stadium in Australia, showcasing the jewel in the NRL crown as Penrith and South Sydney fans came out of the woodwork in their droves.
The outcome of the grand final was not what I had hoped for, but in all honesty no Rugby league supporter should be disappointed with the 2021 grand final.
The Panthers and Bunnies served up a grand final game for the ages.
Bunnies’ fans might dispute that of course but it reminded us all why we love the game of Rugby League.
Perhaps the 50-50 calls did not go in favour of the Bunnies but seriously how brave were those 17 South’s players.
Cody Walker looked devastated after the Penrith intercept try off his pass while Adam Reynolds was almost inconsolable after the loss.
The pain following the missed conversion and his late hail Mary field goal attempt etched deeply across his face. Although he was justifiably disappointed, Reynolds should be proud of the part he played in the game and the service he has given to the club he has played with since childhood.
While he leaves the club as a premiership winner (2014), I think the sour taste of Sunday’s defeat will linger for a long while after he dons the Broncos jersey.
Reynolds bleeds cardinal and myrtle and while he will give his all for the Broncos for the next three years, Sunday’s game will perhaps feel like the one that got away.
The Panthers were deserving winners and Nathan Cleary a natural choice for the Clive Churchill medal. The young Panthers, many of whom have played together in club and rep ranks since they were kids at school, rose to challenge after 2020s thrashing at the hands of Melbourne and it was a joy to see their delight after the game.
Now that the serious nature of Cleary’s shoulder injury has been revealed, it makes his performance even more astounding. He undergoes surgery this week and will likely be out of the game for six months.
There were plenty of walking (hobbling) wounded following the game and I think the Orthopaedic wards in quite a number of private hospitals will be welcoming more than a few players from both sides once they get Mad Monday out of their system.
Of course, the unsolved question remains – where to now for Bennett. Now out of a coaching job for the first time in more years than he would care to remember. I doubt it will be the last we see of the Master who is linked to the Queensland expansion clubs.
I imagine Rusty might also be keen to see him take on a senior role at the Bunnies. The one place that seems definitely off the Bennett radar is Red Hill. Fans watch and wait. His expertise is sure to be sought in some capacity by someone.
And now the merry go round of signings begins in earnest. It will give us something to think about as we wait in anticipation for the first ball in the Ashes to be bowled at the Gabba. That is if the Poms can make up their minds if they really want to come. (They are kidding aren’t they?)
Casey
Footnote: I only threatened to turn the Muppets to mute a couple of times on Sunday night but I had to hide the remote a few times from my Bunnies Spin partner who threatened harm to the TV if Gus “Wowed” just one more time.
