#10 NRL's Greatest Grand Finals | Thebigtip

5th October 2003
Penrith Panthers 18 defeated Sydney Roosters 6
@ Telstra Stadium, Crowd: 81, 166
Referee: Bill Harrigan
Half-Time: Panthers 6-0
Penrith 18: Luke Rooney 2, Luke Priddis tries. Preston Campbell 2/2, Ryan Girdler 1/1 Goals.
Sydney 6: Shannon Hegarty try. Craig Fitzgibbon 1/1 goals.
Clive Churchill Medallist: Luke Priddis.

The stage was set for a monumental struggle in the 2003 decider with the defending premiers, the Sydney Roosters taking on the minor premiers and serious threats to their title, the Penrith Panthers.

Brad Fittler would take his place as Roosters captain, playing in his fourth grand final. His second for the Roosters after two appearances for Penrith in the early 1990’s.

It would be the might of the Roosters against the skill and speed of the young Panthers.

With the rain bucketing down at Homebush, it seemed the conditions would mean a tight and brutal affair with the forwards dominating the play.

It took 31 minutes for first points when Panthers hooker Luke Priddis slid through the line and sent winger Luke Rooney away in the corner. This would be the beginning of a wonderful game for Priddis who would go on to win the Clive Churchill Medal.

But the Roosters were a side built on brutality and a will to win like no other team in this era. They were back in the 50th minute when an inside ball close to the Panthers line saw Shannon Hegarty cross. 6-all.

Two minutes later and Scott Sattler would pull of the greatest tackle in rugby league grand final history.

A loose ball was scooped by Fittler who quickly tipped on to winger Todd Byrne. Byrne was away and should have streaked away to score. He didn’t see old Sattler coming across field. It was quite simply the biggest play of the night and kept the scores at 6 a piece.

15 minutes passed before the Panthers would take the lead. It was Priddis again who dummied to his outside and dragged Craig Fitzgibbon across the line. The Panthers had the lead and would never lose it.

With less then 8 minutes to play, the Panthers were on the attack once more and a field foal would seal the Roosters fate. Everyone was thinking field goal. Everyone except Priddis.

Priddis motioned right to Craig Gower who was set for the one point, but instead went left and through a perfect ball to Rooney who crossed for his second. The Panthers had won the 2003 NRL Grand Final.

It was a night Panthers fans would never forget. A game built on heart, control and passion. Against one of the great Roosters sides of all time.

In the Sydney rain, the Panthers were perfect.