2022 NRL Grand Final

This was the first NRL grand final between the Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels, and the second consecutive year that the grand final featured two Sydney-based clubs. The match-up between both clubs has long been regarded as the Western Sydney Derby, due to the long standing rivalry between the two clubs being closely located among Western Sydney. The Panthers, who became the first side since the Melbourne Storm in 2018 to reach three consecutive grand finals, were aiming for a fourth premiership, after defeating Canberra Raiders in 1991, Sydney Roosters in 2003 and South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2021. It was Ivan Cleary's fourth grand final appearance as a coach, after previously losing with the New Zealand Warriors against Manly Sea Eagles in 2011, and losing with Penrith against Melbourne Storm in 2020.^[3]

Meanwhile, the Eels were aiming for their fifth premiership victory; their most recent being against Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in 1986. Their last grand final appearance was a defeat to the Melbourne Storm in 2009. It was Brad Arthur's first grand final appearance as a coach.^[4]

The Panthers finished the 2022 regular season in first place after twenty wins and four losses, of which two were against the Eels. Parramatta finished fourth after sixteen wins and eight losses.^[5]

The 2022 Penrith Panthers season was the 56th season in the club's history. Coached by Ivan Cleary and co-captained by Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, the Panthers are competing in the National Rugby League's 2022 Telstra Premiership.

The 2022 Parramatta Eels season was the 76th in the club's history. Coached by Brad Arthur and co-captained by Clinton Gutherson and Junior Paulo, they will compete in the NRL's 2022 Telstra Premiership.^[6] The season saw a club record membership tally of 34,264.^[7]

Dylan Edwards, Stephen Crichton, Brian To'o, Jarome Luai, Nathan Cleary, Apisai Koroisau, James Fisher-Harris, Viliame Kikau, Liam Martin, Moses Leota and Isaah Yeo made their third-straight grand final appearance for Penrith, whilst Koroisau also played in the 2014 premiership decider for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Ryan Matterson and Bailey Simonsson were the only players for Parramatta to have played in prior grand finals; Matterson won for the Sydney Roosters in 2018, while Simonsson played for the Canberra Raiders in 2019.^[8]

The match was broadcast live on the Nine Network and delayed on Fox League in Australia as well as on Sky Sport in New Zealand. Radio broadcasters included ABC, Triple M, 2GB, SEN and Koori Radio.^[9]

On 23 September 2022, the pre-match entertainment acts for the grand final were announced. This included Jimmy Barnes, Mahalia Barnes, A.Girl, Diesel, Josh Teskey, Emma Donovan, Sheldon Riley and Bliss n Eso. The Australian national anthem was performed by Alinta Chidzey.^[10]

Ashley Klein refereed the match, his second NRL grand final. Grant Atkins was the senior review official, and Phil Henderson and Drew Oultram were the touch judges. Gerard Sutton was the standby referee and David Munro the standby touch judge.^[11]

The 2022 Grand Final was the first since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to have no crowd restrictions. On 27 September 2022, the match was sold out.^[12]

Curtain-raiser matches on the day were the NRL State Championship between the Norths Devils and the Penrith Panthers, and NRLW Grand Final between the Newcastle Knights and the Parramatta Eels. Both were shown live on the Nine Network in Australia.

Parramatta forward Ryan Matterson was charged by the match review with a grade one crusher tackle against Dylan Edwards.^[13] Matterson was criticised^[14] after taking an early guilty plea and electing to be suspended for three matches instead of taking a $4,000 fine.^[15] Matterson defended his decision telling reporters "I just feel that $4000 is pretty hefty considering I have already paid close to $4000 in fines this year for things that are absurd", with the forward also suggesting that the charge was not warranted.^[16]

Penrith players were criticised for their celebrations after their victory, with Sydney media identities outspoken against the way they celebrated.^[17] Jarome Luai came under scrutiny for a social media post that some found offensive. Former Penrith captain Greg Alexander and coach Ivan Cleary defended the players against the criticism.^[18]

Both grand final teams' players featured in squads selected for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup to be played in October–November 2022. Ten Panthers players were selected with the greatest representation (5) to play for Samoa. Parramatta had also had ten players selected, with the greatest representation (3) to play for New Zealand.

As premiership winners, Penrith earned the right to play in the World Club Challenge against 2022 Super League Grand Final winners St Helens. The match was played on 18 February 2023 at BlueBet Stadium.^[19]

Two opening matches were played on the ground prior to the grand final: the NRL State Championship and NRL Women's Grand Final. Both matches were broadcast live throughout Australia by the Nine Network.

Sunday, 2 October 1:35pm (AEDT)

Penrith Panthers	44 – 10	Norths Devils
Tries: J'maine Hopgood  7', 71' Soni Luke  28' Eddie Blacker  32' John Faiumu  45' Robert Jennings  47' Luke Sommerton  62' Sunia Turuva  79' Goals: Kurt Falls  9', 29', 34', 63', 72' (5/7)John Faiumu  80' (1/1)	1st: 18 – 0 2nd: 26 – 10 scorecard	Tries: Tony Tumusa  64' Rashaun Denny  73' Goals: Connor Broadhurst  75' (1/2)

Accor Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 11,115

Sunday, 2 October 4:05pm (AEDT)

Newcastle Knights Women's	32 – 12	Parramatta Eels Women's
Tries: Kiana Takairangi  17', 63' Emmanita Paki  20' Romy Teitzel  27' Tamika Upton  38' Kiana Takairangi  63' Jesse Southwell  67' Yasmin Clydsdale  69' Goals: Kirra Dibb  28' Jesse Southwell  68'	1st: 14 – 6 2nd: 18 – 6 scorecard	Tries: Brooke Anderson  12' Simaima Taufa  50' Goals: 1/1 Tayla Preston  13', 51'

Accor Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 42,921 Referee: Kasey Badger