The Penrith Panthers are set to Collide with the Brisbane Broncos in the ultimate NRL Grand Final showdown, live on Nine and 9Now from 6:30 pm AEDT on Sunday, October 1.
Penrith enter the game chasing three premierships in a row and are aiming to make rugby league history, coming into the game as favourites after winning the minor premiership. Broncos will be hot on their heels, however as the young team will be chasing the club’s first premiership in 17 years.
Here’s everything you need to know about the commentators:
Grand Final Day will be live from 7:00 am AEDT at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Nine, beginning with Weekend Today, followed by Sports Sunday at 10:00 am and the Sunday Footy Show at 11:00 am.
Nine’s Wide World of Sports coverage will be hosted by James Bracy, Danika Mason, Emma Lawrence and Marlee Silva. Also featured will be Andrew Johns, Cameron Smith, Darren Lockyer, Johnathan Thurston, Brad Fittler and Paul Gallen.
Premiership winners Billy Slater, Phil Gould AM and Sam Thaiday will also appear with women’s international Ruan Sims and Allana Ferguson.
Calling the live action will be Mat Thompson (NRL), Brenton Speed (NRLW) and Peter Psaltis (NRL State Championship).
Meanwhile on 2GB, Ray Hadley will call his 34th NRL Grand Final, eclipsing the radio record he currently shares with the late rugby league icon, Frank Hyde MBE, OAM.
Hadley said: “I got an email from one of Frank and Gabby’s sons, Pat, this week telling me how proud his dad would be for me to break his record by calling my 34th Grand Final. The entire Hyde family has always been very supportive.
“My lasting memory of Frank will be his generosity and encouragement. He was not threatened by an ambitious young bloke, but rather proud he was part of my journey. Surely Frank must be the next media person to be elevated to the NRL Hall of Fame.”
Ray Hadley and Frank Hyde
Greg Byrnes, Nine Radio head of content, said: “The records keep coming for Ray Hadley. In recent times we’ve celebrated 21 years of Ray on 2GB Mornings, then 151 consecutive survey wins, and this weekend it’s a record 34th Grand Final call. What a privilege it is for us all to witness one of the greats of radio broadcasting in full flight!”
Hadley and Hyde are both inductees in the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame and their famous catch-cries will forever live in rugby league history; Hyde’s “It’s long enough, it’s high enough… and it’s straight between the posts!” and Hadley’s, “Don’t touch the set, don’t touch the dial, don’t you go anywhere!”.
NRL Grand Final: Panthers v Broncos
Sydney: 7.30 pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Brisbane: 6.30 pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Melbourne: 7.30 pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Adelaide: 7.00 pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Perth: 4.30 pm LIVE on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Pre-game Panel – James Bracey, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith, Darren Lockyer, Emma Lawrence and Allana Ferguson.
Commentary – Andrew Johns, Billy Slater and Mat Thompson.
Sideline – Brad Fittler and Danika Mason.
9Now player cams: Reece Walsh and Jarome Luai
Post-match Panel and in the sheds with the winning team – James Bracey, Phil Gould, Brad Fittler, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Darren Lockyer, Paul Gallen and Sam Thaiday.