Rugby League: Melbourne Storm hold out to win dramatic NRL final over Penrith Panthers

The Penrith Panthers may boast of being “unlucky” in a grand finale of the high drama NRL, but there’s no denying that the Melbourne Storm are the rightful champions in 2020.

There is also no mistaking the greatness and immortality of Storm legend Cameron Smith as he led the Storm to a thrilling 26-20 victory that ended in a thrilling late comeback by the Panthers.

Smith was an absolute superstar, as the Storm captain claimed his third prime ministerial spot in the NRL and fifth career grand final victory as he celebrated becoming the oldest grand final winner (37 years and 129 days) in the game’s history.

The honor all but disappeared from their eyes as the Panthers mounted an extraordinary comeback that set up a thrilling final minute of play in which the Panthers had one last chance to score at the kickoff to steal the most unlikely victory of the grand finale.

It was created by a try to Panthers playmaker Nathan Cleary in the 80th minute that led the Panthers to a converted try with just seconds left.

With one last play, the Panthers zigzagged into their own half, but the Storm defense held firm for another historic grand finale victory.

Previously, the Panthers had been killed in the water and the Storm held a 26-0 lead early in the second half.

The Panthers scored the final four attempts of the game after a series of controversial decisions came against the Storm.

The first allowed Isaah Yeo to set up a try after running around his own teammate on a clear obstruction.

In the second, running back Jahrome Hughes was sent to the sin bin with nine minutes left after the NRL Bunker ruled that he had committed a professional foul by taking out Villiame Kikau.

With the Storm reduced to 12, and then 11, men in death, the Panthers nearly pinched him.

But the Storm proved that his class withstood the attack and emerged with a famous final grand triumph.

Smith even got excited full time when he talked about his team’s incredible defense when it mattered most.

“God, we did it the hard way there, 11 guys at the end,” Smith said.

“Penrith would come home with a wet sail and play the football they played all year.

“I’m really proud of this club, not just this soccer team that played tonight, but of the whole team.”

Here’s how the extraordinary drama unfolded: