The Mole's grand final player ratings: 'I was wrong' about Dally M winner

The Panthers confounded the historians to do the unthinkable and win a fourth straight grand final in an absorbing contest with the Storm.

Liam Martin backed up his savage post-try celebration sledge with actions and won the Clive Churchill Medal in a standout display.

But he had plenty of mates who played outstanding matches and Melbourne's stars played their part too.

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But not everyone on the field stood up. The studs and the duds are separated in our player ratings.

PENRITH PANTHERS

1. Dylan Edwards

A running machine, churning out 250 metres, more than any other player on the field and flawless in defence.

Rating: 8

2. Sunia Turuva

The Panthers' top tryscorer in 2024, bagged their first with a charge to the corner and also cracked the 200 metre mark.

Rating: 7.5

3. Izack Tago

Didn't get a lot of chances but ran straight and hard - as he always does - and a rock in defence.

Rating: 6.5

4. Paul Alamoti

One of the few Panthers in his first grand final, was strong, playing a part in Turuva's try and then scoring one himself.

Rating: 8

Watch a full replay of the 2024 NRL grand final on 9Now.

5. Brian To'o

Left the field with a knee injury midway through the second half but before that, ran his team out of trouble time and again.

Rating: 7

6. Jarome Luai

In his last game as a Panther, played a major role in their first two tries to go out on a high note.

Rating: 8

7. Nathan Cleary

Laid on Martin's try right on halftime in one of the game's big moments and ran the team around the park with ruthless efficiency.

Rating: 8

8. Moses Leota

A little down on his usual game time but still came up with a try assist and a line break assist in a tight contest.

Rating: 7

9. Mitch Kenny

Topped the Panthers' tackle count - as he invariably does - and tidy at dummyhalf.

Rating: 7

10. James Fisher-Harris

A tower of strength in his final game as a Panther, running for over 150 metres through the trenches.

Rating: 8

19. Scott Sorensen

Justified his late inclusion in the starting side with 125 running metres and plenty of big effort plays.

Rating: 7

12. Liam Martin

An easy choice for man of the match, scoring a try, setting up another and terrorising the Storm from start to finish. One of the great performances by a forward in a grand final.

Rating: 9

13. Isaah Yeo

The best number 13 in the league, he again proved the perfect link between the forwards and backs - and ran for over 220 metres as well.

Rating: 8.5

11. Luke Garner

Quiet compared to recent weeks when he started games, never made much of an impact off the bench.

Rating: 5.5

14. Brad Schneider

DNP

15. Lindsay Smith

Played every game for the Panthers this season and was again strong when first man off the bench to enter the fray.

Rating: 7

16. Liam Henry

Kept the Panthers' momentum rolling when he came off the bench and is tailor made for that role for years to come.

Rating: 6

MELBOURNE STORM

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen

Put a kickoff out on the full in the first half but otherwise ran strongly and defended well.

Rating: 7

2. William Warbrick

The Storm's tryscoring ace ran for nearly 200 metres but the Panthers defence never gave him a sniff of the tryline.

Rating: 6

3. Jack Howarth

Youngster struggled badly on the big stage, letting Martin in for a try right on halftime and making a couple of errors.

Rating: 4

4. Nick Meaney

Had few chances out wide in attack but defended his edge well under pressure.

Rating: 6

5. Xavier Coates

Made more metres than any Stormer and always a danger with his athleticism in the air.

Rating: 7

6. Cameron Munster

Tried his hardest to spark the Storm in his fifth grand final but was too well marked and ended up a frustrated man.

Rating: 6.5

7. Jahrome Hughes

Before the game I thought he was the equal of Cleary… I was wrong. Couldn't put his stamp on the game but still had a great season.

Rating: 6

8. Tui Kamikamica

Made just two runs for 22 metres in limited game time… not good enough - he showed how much the Storm missed big Nelson.

Rating: 4

9. Harry Grant

Scored the opening try with one of his trademark bursts out of dummyhalf but kept quiet for most of the match. Worked overtime in defence.

Rating: 7

10. Josh King

Played his usual good honest battler style but the Panthers handle this type of player too well.

Rating: 6

11. Shawn Blore

Looked dangerous a couple of times with his wide running but just couldn't come up with the big plays.

Rating: 6

12. Eliesa Katoa

The Storm's most potent forward, making more tackle breaks than any of his team-mates - but still couldn't crack the Panthers open.

Rating: 7

13. Trent Loiero

An honest performance but just doesn't have the class of his opposite Yeo to ignite the attack.

Rating: 5

14. Tyran Wishart

The Storm's 'super sub' was well marked by the Panthers defence and couldn't reproduce his heroics of recent weeks.

Rating: 5.5

15. Christian Welch

Didn't get through enough work in attack with just five runs but defended well up the middle.

Rating: 5

16. Lazarus Vaalepu

Youngster made just two runs in 10 minutes of game time but looks headed for a big future.

Rating: 3

17. Alec MacDonald

Dropped the ball with his first touch off the bench but worked hard to make amends.

Rating: 5.5