Panthers V Broncos: Who will win the NRL Grand Final and who are the X-factors

It’s been a few years since we’ve had the two best teams in the NRL facing off in the final, but that’s exactly what we’ve been gifted this year. The meticulous Penrith Panthers are once again the team to beat, and for the first time in three years their opponent, the re-born Brisbane Broncos, have a fair chance at disrupting them.

It’s not going to be easy for the Broncos though. The Panthers are a well-oiled machine, with almost no weaknesses on the field. Their game planning is also second to none in the competition, so the Broncos hand will be well-known by the Sydney side before the game even starts.

The Broncos, while not quite as methodical, have some of the most explosive players in the game and will be hard to contain, even by the best in the business. And let’s not forget, they were one of the few teams to beat the Panthers this year. So who will be the key players, and who wins this? Let’s take a quick look through some of the X-factors.

Already one of the best halfbacks to ever play the game, it will be business as usual for the 25-year-old. Cleary is known for his thorough game planning and will come in with a strong sense of what his fifth-tackle kicking options will be.

He’s just going to do what he always does – keep turning up the pressure in the Broncos half with repeat sets until there’s a crack. If he’s contained – something the Maroons could do at State of Origin, there will be a significant drop in pressure on the Broncos.

The in-form fullback of the comp and one of the most exciting young superstars around, Walsh brings lightning-fast speed at all stages of the game, and coupled with his footwork, his next move can be hard to pick. He knows how to draw in multiple defenders and leave them lost for options.

He’s certainly going to be at the center of the Bronco’s blockbuster plays, but it must be said, the 21-year-old does have a mistake or two in him, so he’s not quite bulletproof. But if the Panthers make a mistake reading Walsh, they’ll soon find themselves running back towards their goal line.

Wingers usually have one job – executing at the try line. While Brian To’o does that better than most, he’s much more than a finisher. The 25-year-old makes things happen around him as he looks for every opportunity to exploit gaps in the defense.

To’o is an effort player, and looks to put in just as much as the middle forwards, which is what makes him so devastating. He’s a player who wants to have the ball in his hands and isn’t afraid to take the line on. Given his speed, strength and sheer will to score, he often comes out on top.

The best prop in the game, Haas is more than just a ball-carrying bulldozer. While his sheer power means he’s likely to make a tackle break if you don’t have enough men on the job, Haas also works differently to other props.

He’s not just running straight like most forwards, he looks at the game and will go sideways if need be. He has agility, footwork and handling you rarely see in a man his size, and knows how to use all his assets. Opportunities will come if Haas gets going.

The importance of Yeo on the Panther's side cannot be overstated. One of the most experienced players on the Penrith side, Yeo has a superior knowledge of the game and can dominate the middle field with his skillful passing and reading of defense.

He’s not a flashy player, in fact some would call him conservative, but he links up seamlessly with Cleary and ⅝ Jarome Luai to build some incredible momentum heading into the opposing 40. Without Yeo, the Panthers engine will struggle to fire. 

There’s no getting away from the fact that Adam Reynolds has been the key element in Brisbane’s success, turning the side from wooden spooners in 2020 to the force of nature they are today. Like Cleary, Reynolds has a superb kicking game and will just keep turning the screws on the Panthers side at the fifth tackle if he gets a chance.

Both halfbacks possess an incredible understanding of the game, but while Cleary is still meticulous in studying, Reynolds has it all in his back pocket and will work out what needs to be done when the time comes. 

So who wins? Both teams boast resilient defence, incredible discipline and high competition rates across the competition. Defensively there isn’t much between the two either, so it’s going to be a real arm wrestle for much of the match and the first opportunity will surely only come from a mistake. 

The Broncos X factors are somewhat more devastating than the Panthers. The likes of Haas and Walsh are able to create some spectacular opportunities, especially once fatigue sets in, and can single-handly change the momentum of a set or game.

The Panthers on the other hand might not have the same explosiveness, but they are clinical and relentless – they know they can outlast most teams and if it goes their way, they’ll just keep turning in the Broncos' 40m until they break through.

In the end, it will come down to mistakes. Given the Panthers rarely make mistakes, they stand a good chance of just grinding the Broncos down. It won’t be easy though, and both teams will be pushed to the limits, though ultimately we think the Panthers will edge it out in a close one, with maybe a penalty or field goal being the difference. Final score: Panthers 14 – Broncos 12.