The NRL Grand Final is the pinnacle of Australian rugby league, where the two best teams of the season face off in a battle for supremacy and glory. Over the past two decades, the NRL Grand Final has produced unforgettable moments, heroic performances, and epic showdowns that have captivated fans around the world. In this article, we’ll take a trip down memory lane and revisit the winners of each NRL Grand Final from the last 20 years, highlighting the key moments, standout players, and memorable matches that have defined this prestigious event.
2002: Sydney Roosters vs. New Zealand Warriors
The Sydney Roosters claimed their first NRL premiership in 27 years with a thrilling 30-8 victory over the New Zealand Warriors. In a dominant display, the Roosters outclassed the Warriors with their potent attack and suffocating defense. Craig Fitzgibbon was named the man of the match for his exceptional performance, while Anthony Minichiello’s acrobatic try-saving tackle on Brent Webb remains one of the most memorable moments of the match.
2003: Penrith Panthers vs. Sydney Roosters
The Penrith Panthers secured their second NRL premiership in a nail-biting 18-6 win over the Sydney Roosters. In a fiercely contested match, the Panthers’ defense proved to be the difference, holding the Roosters scoreless in the second half. Luke Priddis was named the man of the match for his outstanding performance at hooker, while Scott Sattler’s heroic try-saving tackle on Todd Byrne is etched into NRL folklore as one of the greatest defensive plays in Grand Final history.
2004: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Sydney Roosters
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs claimed their first NRL premiership in seven years with a convincing 16-13 victory over the Sydney Roosters. In a tense and closely contested match, the Bulldogs held off a late comeback from the Roosters to secure the win. Andrew Ryan was named the man of the match for his inspirational performance in the forward pack, while Hazem El Masri’s clutch goal-kicking proved to be the difference between the two sides.
2005: Wests Tigers vs. North Queensland Cowboys
The Wests Tigers made history by winning their first NRL premiership with a thrilling 30-16 victory over the North Queensland Cowboys. In a high-scoring affair, the Tigers showcased their attacking prowess with a dazzling display of speed and skill. Benji Marshall was named the man of the match for his electrifying performance at five-eighth, while Pat Richards’ stunning try-saving tackle on Matt Sing remains one of the defining moments of the match.
2006: Brisbane Broncos vs. Melbourne Storm
The Brisbane Broncos claimed their sixth NRL premiership with a hard-fought 15-8 victory over the Melbourne Storm. In a fiercely contested match, the Broncos’ defense proved to be the difference, holding the Storm scoreless in the second half. Shaun Berrigan was named the man of the match for his outstanding performance at hooker, while Darren Lockyer’s inspirational leadership and clutch playmaking guided the Broncos to victory.
2007: Melbourne Storm vs. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
The Melbourne Storm secured their second NRL premiership with a dominant 34-8 victory over the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. In a one-sided affair, the Storm’s potent attack proved too much for the Sea Eagles to handle, with Greg Inglis scoring a hat-trick of tries. Billy Slater was named the man of the match for his scintillating performance at fullback, while Cameron Smith’s masterful control of the game earned him high praise from pundits and fans alike.
2008: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles vs. Melbourne Storm
The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles exacted revenge on the Melbourne Storm with a thrilling 40-0 victory in the NRL Grand Final rematch. In a dominant display, the Sea Eagles overwhelmed the Storm with their potent attack and suffocating defense, keeping their opponents scoreless for the entire match. Glenn Stewart was named the man of the match for his exceptional performance in the forward pack, while Steve Matai’s bone-crunching hits set the tone for the Sea Eagles’ dominant defensive effort.
2009: Melbourne Storm vs. Parramatta Eels
The Melbourne Storm claimed their third NRL premiership in four years with a convincing 23-16 victory over the Parramatta Eels. In a tightly contested match, the Storm’s experience and composure proved to be the difference, with Greg Inglis scoring a crucial try late in the game to seal the win. Billy Slater was named the man of the match for his outstanding performance at fullback, while Cooper Cronk’s masterful kicking game and control of the tempo guided the Storm to victory.
2010: St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. Sydney Roosters
The St. George Illawarra Dragons ended their 31-year premiership drought with a hard-fought 32-8 victory over the Sydney Roosters. In a dominant display, the Dragons outclassed the Roosters with their suffocating defense and clinical execution in attack. Darius Boyd was named the man of the match for his exceptional performance on the wing, while Jamie Soward’s precise kicking game and clutch playmaking guided the Dragons to victory.
2011: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles vs. New Zealand Warriors
The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles claimed their second NRL premiership in three years with a commanding 24-10 victory over the New Zealand Warriors. In a dominant display, the Sea Eagles outclassed the Warriors with their potent attack and suffocating defense. Glenn Stewart was named the man of the match for his exceptional performance in the forward pack, while Daly Cherry-Evans’ masterful control of the game earned him high praise from pundits and fans alike.
2012: Melbourne Storm vs. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
The Melbourne Storm claimed their second NRL premiership in five years with a convincing 14-4 victory over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. In a tightly contested match, the Storm’s suffocating defense proved to be the difference, with Cameron Smith leading the way with his exceptional tackling and game management. Cooper Cronk was named the man of the match for his outstanding performance at halfback, while Billy Slater’s electrifying runs from fullback kept the Bulldogs’ defense on their toes.
2013: Sydney Roosters vs. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
The Sydney Roosters claimed their first NRL premiership in 11 years with a hard-fought 26-18 victory over the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. In a fiercely contested match, the Roosters’ potent attack proved to be the difference, with James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce leading the way with their precise kicking and playmaking. Sonny Bill Williams was named the man of the match for his exceptional performance in the forward pack, while Boyd Cordner’s crucial try late in the game sealed the victory for the Roosters.
2014: South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs ended their 43-year premiership drought with a thrilling 30-6 victory over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. In a dominant display, the Rabbitohs outclassed the Bulldogs with their potent attack and suffocating defense. Greg Inglis was named the man of the match for his exceptional performance at fullback, while Sam Burgess’s inspirational effort in the forward pack earned him high praise from pundits and fans alike.
2015: North Queensland Cowboys vs. Brisbane Broncos
The North Queensland Cowboys claimed their first NRL premiership in a dramatic 17-16 victory over the Brisbane Broncos. In a thrilling golden point extra time finish, the Cowboys secured the win with a field goal from Johnathan Thurston, sending their fans into a frenzy of celebration. Thurston was named the man of the match for his outstanding performance at halfback, while Kyle Feldt’s try in the dying seconds of regular time forced the match into extra time and set the stage for Thurston’s heroics.
2016: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs. Melbourne Storm
The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks claimed their first NRL premiership in their 50-year history with a hard-fought 14-12 victory over the Melbourne Storm. In a fiercely contested match, the Sharks’ suffocating defense proved to be the difference, with Andrew Fifita leading the way with his powerful running and tackling. Luke Lewis was named the man of the match for his exceptional performance in the forward pack, while Chad Townsend’s clutch goal-kicking proved to be the difference between the two sides.
2017: Melbourne Storm vs. North Queensland Cowboys
The Melbourne Storm claimed their third NRL premiership with a dominant 34-6 victory over the North Queensland Cowboys. In a one-sided affair, the Storm’s potent attack proved too much for the Cowboys to handle, with Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk orchestrating the offense with precision and skill. Cameron Smith was named the man of the match for his exceptional performance at hooker, while Suliasi Vunivalu’s stunning try in the first half set the tone for the Storm’s dominant performance.
2018: Sydney Roosters vs. Melbourne Storm
The Sydney Roosters claimed their 14th NRL premiership with a commanding 21-6 victory over the Melbourne Storm. In a dominant display, the Roosters outclassed the Storm with their suffocating defense and clinical execution in attack. Luke Keary was named the man of the match for his outstanding performance at five-eighth, while James Tedesco’s electrifying runs from fullback kept the Storm’s defense on their toes.
2019: Sydney Roosters vs. Canberra Raiders
The Sydney Roosters secured back-to-back NRL premierships with a hard-fought 14-8 victory over the Canberra Raiders. In a tightly contested match, the Roosters’ defense proved to be the difference, with Luke Keary and James Tedesco leading the way with their exceptional tackling and game management. Jack Wighton was named the man of the match for his outstanding performance at five-eighth, while Josh Papalii’s powerful runs in the forward pack kept the Raiders in the contest until the final whistle.
2020: Melbourne Storm vs. Penrith Panthers
The Melbourne Storm claimed their fourth NRL premiership with a thrilling 26-20 victory over the Penrith Panthers. In a closely contested match, the Storm’s experience and composure proved to be the difference, with Cameron Smith leading the way with his exceptional kicking and game management. Ryan Papenhuyzen was named the man of the match for his outstanding performance at fullback, while Josh Addo-Carr’s blistering speed and try-scoring prowess proved to be the difference between the two sides.
2021: Penrith Panthers vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Penrith Panthers secured their third NRL premiership with a hard-fought 14-12 victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs. In a fiercely contested match, the Panthers’ defense proved to be the difference, with Isaah Yeo leading the way with his exceptional tackling and game management. Nathan Cleary was named the man of the match for his outstanding performance at halfback, while Brian To’o’s powerful runs and try-saving tackles kept the Rabbitohs at bay until the final whistle.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Champions
Over the past 20 years, the NRL Grand Final has produced some of the most memorable moments and epic battles in rugby league history. From thrilling golden point finishes to dominant displays of skill and athleticism, each Grand Final victory has left an indelible mark on the sport and its passionate fans. As we look back on the champions of the past two decades, we celebrate the teams and players who have etched their names into NRL folklore and continue to inspire future generations of rugby league stars.