NRL grand final day in pictures: Surfing legend Mick Fanning crashes Panthers' premiership celebrations
Surfing legend crashes Panthers' premiership party
Retired pro surfer and die-hard Penrith supporter Mick Fanning celebrates with Nathan Cleary after the Panthers clinched the 2023 NRL premiership.
"Are you kidding?," Fanning told Nine's Allana Ferguson post-match.
"This is the best thing ever. This is so amazing."
Asked about Cleary's heroics, the three-time world surfing champion lauded the champion halfback's performance.
"He's the greatest athlete I know," he said.
"Seriously. He just went absolutely looney in those last 10 minutes. So good."
A Penrith local, Fanning said the party atmosphere in the area would continue until the early hours of the morning.
"It's going to be a black sea and we're going to have so much fun," he said.
"Let's go are you ready."
Scenes in the sheds
The Penrith Panthers celebrate winning their third consecutive premiership with customised ski googles.
Cleary receives customary deluge
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary had an ice bucket poured over him by Spencer Leniu after the Panthers won the 2023 NRL premiership.
Panthers celebrate 2023 premiership
The Penrith Panthers celebrate with the NRL premiership trophy.
Cleary named Clive Churchill Medallist
Nathan Cleary claimed his second Clive Churchill Medal after being judged the player of the match.
Broncos stunned
Despite holding a game-high 16-point lead led by an Ezra Mam hat-trick, the Broncos imploded as the Panthers rallied from behind.
Panthers pull off remarkable comeback
At one point trailing 24-8, the Panthers flipped the script in the second half to claim the 2023 NRL premiership.
Cleary scores the match-winner
Nathan Cleary single-handedly willed his team over the line.
The star halfback set up Moses Leota, kicked a 40/20, slotted three conversions, and scored the match-winning try and subsequent conversion in the second half alone.
Crichton farewells Panthers with a try
In his final game for the Panthers before becoming a Bulldog in 2024, Stephen Crichton burst over on the left edge to score.
Panthers begin resurgence
Just as all looked lost for the Panthers, Nathan Cleary linked up with Moses Leota who streamed away to score a crucial try and kick-start Penrith's comeback.
