When Brian To’o ran into space, the defence came in cover, Cody Walker checked teammate Damien Cook, who inadvertently took out Lachlan Ilias. It was like a game of billiards, which ended with the Panthers sinking the black.

Ultimately, the result was another grand final appearance for the mountain men. There is every chance they will be there or thereabouts for years to come. The club is attempting to become the first in 40 years to take out the three NSWRL competitions – NSW Cup, Jersey Flegg and SG Ball Cup – in the same season. If the feat is achieved, for the first time since Balmain in 1982, it is yet another pointer to the production line that is Penrith’s junior nursery.

It was a win for Penrith but also, seemingly, for Parramatta. The chances of the Eels finally saluting, in their 75th year in the competition, appear to be stronger facing their western Sydney rivals than the Pride of the League. Souths have won their last six meetings, all via large margins. The Eels’ recent record against the Panthers stacks up significantly better.

Still, it will take a monumental effort to stop the Panthers. Waqa Blake, already terrorised by Nathan Cleary during this finals series, will have further sleepless nights. Taane Milne will know exactly how he feels. This time it was the Souths three-quarter’s turn to negotiate Cleary’s towering floating kicks. The way his night finished – sent off for one of the worst coathangers in recent finals history – spoke to his state of mind after being forced to constantly stare into the night sky with a Steeden and Viliame Kikau bearing down on him.

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Whether Kikau participates in the final game of the season will be determined by the match review committee, which is unlikely to have the fans in mind in the same way head office favoured Taylan May.

Regardless, the NRL will have its dream clash. A year after being forced to shift the grand final to Queensland, football returns to its western Sydney heartland. Two teams allowed to stand alone, one will stand tallest.

Stream the NRL Premiership 2022 live and free on 9Now.

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