For the first time this decade, the Panthers won’t feature in the NRL Grand Final, after the Broncos stormed back from 14-0 down to win an epic preliminary final 16-14 at Suncorp Stadium.
They will take on the Storm who beat Cronulla 22-14 in Friday’s first preliminary final at AAMI Park.
The Storm will have the advantage of two days’ extra rest before the Grand Final due to the NRL’s choice to avoid the AFL decider, and play their prelims on Friday and Sunday respectively.
“It’s definitely unfair, but it is what it is,” Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said this week.
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“There’s different ways you can look at it but at the end of the day if that’s our problem next week, I’ll be pretty happy.”
Unfortunately for Cleary, that’s not his problem this year.
Here is the essential information about the 2025 NRL grand final.
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WHO IS IN THE NRL GRAND FINAL?
Melbourne Storm (finished 2nd, 17-7) v Brisbane Broncos (finished 4th, 15-9)
The Storm are back in their second consecutive Grand Final and trying to win their first premiership since 2020, for their fifth overall.
The Broncos are in the Grand Final for the first time since 2023, trying to win their seventh premiership and first since 2006.
WHEN IS THE NRL GRAND FINAL?
The 2025 NRL grand final is on Sunday October 5, 7.30pm at Accor Stadium.
The NRL finals series got underway on Friday September 12.
HOW THE NRL FINALS SYSTEM WORKS
The winners of the two qualifying finals advance to host the two preliminary finals, while two teams are eliminated each week until the grand final.
The loser of the First Qualifying Final (1st vs 4th) hosts the winner of the First Elimination Final (5th vs 8th) in the First Semi Final.
The loser of the Second Qualifying Final (2nd vs 3rd) hosts the winner of the Second Elimination Final (6th vs 7th) in the Second Semi Final.
The winner of the First Qualifying Final (1st vs 4th) hosts the winner of the Second Semi Final (2nd, 3rd, 6th or 7th) in the First Preliminary Final.
The winner of the Second Qualifying Final (2nd vs 3rd) hosts the winner of the First Semi Final (1st, 4th, 5th or 8th) in the Second Preliminary Final.
The winners of the two Preliminary Finals face off in the 2025 NRL Grand Final.
PREMIERS IN NRL ERA (1998-PRESENT)
2025: TBC
2024: Penrith Panthers
2023: Penrith Panthers
2022: Penrith Panthers
2021: Penrith Panthers
2020: Melbourne Storm
2019: Sydney Roosters
2018: Sydney Roosters
2017: Melbourne Storm
2016: Cronulla Sharks
2015: North Queensland Cowboys
2014: South Sydney Rabbitohs
2013: Sydney Roosters
2012: Melbourne Storm
2011: Manly Sea Eagles
2010: St George Illawarra Dragons
2009: Melbourne Storm* (title stripped)
2008: Manly Sea Eagles
2007: Melbourne Storm* (title stripped)
2006: Brisbane Broncos
2005: Wests Tigers
2004 Canterbury Bulldogs
2003: Penrith Panthers
2002: Sydney Roosters
2001: Newcastle Knights
2000: Brisbane Broncos
1999: Melbourne Storm
1998: Brisbane Broncos
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