The NRL Grand Final is the culmination of the National Rugby League season. One of the biggest sporting events in Australia, millions watch it every year. Since the formation of the NRL in 1998, there've been a plethora of winners, with teams emerging as dominant forces, clubs ending premiership droughts, and plenty of fascinating sporting stories.
To give a clear snapshot of how the premiership has unfolded in recent years, the table below summarises the latest ten Grand Final results. From there, we take a closer look at every NRL Grand Final winner from 1998 through to today.
| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Score | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Brisbane Broncos | Melbourne Storm | 26–22 | 80223 |
| 2024 | Penrith Panthers | Melbourne Storm | 14–6 | 80156 |
| 2023 | Penrith Panthers | Brisbane Broncos | 26–24 | 81947 |
| 2022 | Penrith Panthers | Parramatta Eels | 28–12 | 82415 |
| 2021 | Penrith Panthers | South Sydney Rabbitohs | 14–12 | 39322 |
| 2020 | Melbourne Storm | Penrith Panthers | 26–20 | 37303 |
| 2019 | Sydney Roosters | Canberra Raiders | 14–8 | 82922 |
| 2018 | Sydney Roosters | Melbourne Storm | 21–6 | 82688 |
| 2017 | Melbourne Storm | North Queensland Cowboys | 34–6 | 79722 |
| 2016 | Cronulla Sharks | Melbourne Storm | 14–12 | 83625 |
Most Successful NRL Clubs in the Modern Era (1998–Present)
Since the NRL’s formation in 1998, several clubs have established themselves as dominant forces in Grand Finals. While premiership wins are the ultimate measure of success, repeated appearances also reflect long-term strength and consistency.
NRL Grand Final Winners in the 1990s
The late 1990s were the beginning of the modern National Rugby League era. Following the Super League war in Australian rugby league, the NRL was officially formed in 1998. This brought together clubs from the former Australian Rugby League and Super League competitions, and with it, a new era for professional rugby league in Australia.⁴
The first team to win an NRL premiership was the Brisbane Broncos. They defeated the Canterbury Bulldogs in the 1998 Grand Final. Brisbane was already one of the strongest teams in the 1990s, and that didn't change in the first year of the new competition.
In the tournament's second year, the Melbourne Storm won dramatically. The match was something special, especially given that the Storm was new to the league. Their rapid rise was one of the most impressive in early NRL history.⁶
The 1999 NRL Grand Final between the Melbourne Storm and St George Illawarra Dragons produced one of the most dramatic finishes in rugby league history. The Dragons led 18–14 late in the match and looked set to win the premiership. However, Storm winger Craig Smith scored a late try before halfback Brett Kimmorley converted to give Melbourne a 20–18 victory. It was the Storm’s first premiership only two years after joining the NRL.
NRL Grand Final Winners in the 2000s
As the NRL entered its first full decade, the competition expanded to include more NRL teams, making it clear that it was the premier rugby league tournament in Australia. The league experienced strong growth in popularity, attendance, and television audiences. Clubs across New South Wales and Queensland competed for the premiership, with dominant teams emerging during the decade.⁴
While the Brisbane Broncos didn't win two premierships on the bounce after their 1998 victory, they did win the 2000 Grand Final, defeating the Sydney Roosters. They remained one of the league's most consistent teams. At the same time, teams like the Newcastle Knights, who won the 2001 premiership, also emerged as a top team.
The decade produced several new champions rather than being dominated by a few teams. The Penrith Panthers won in 2003 and then the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2004. In 2005, the Wests Tigers were another new champion, with Benji Marshall's famous flick pass being a key moment in the match.
The 2005 NRL Grand Final is remembered for one of rugby league's most famous plays. During the Wests Tigers' match against the North Queensland Cowboys, five-eighth Benji Marshall produced an incredible flick pass to Pat Richards that set up a crucial try. The Tigers went on to win the match 30–16 and secure their first NRL premiership. Marshall's assist remains one of the most replayed moments in Grand Final history.
NRL Grand Final Winners in the 2010s
Arguably, the most competitive decade of NRL history. In the 2010s, several clubs emerged as consistent premiership contenders, and the Grand Final often featured fantastic matchups. The Melbourne Storm, Sydney Roosters, Manly Sea Eagles, and South Sydney Rabbitohs all enjoyed success during the decade, while other clubs produced memorable single-title victories.⁴
Under Wayne Bennett, the St George Illawarra Dragons won the 2010 premiership. This marked the end of a long title drought for the club and was much deserved for the team, which was one of the strongest defensively of the era. Melbourne Storm continued to enjoy success during the decade, culminating in the 2012 Grand Final featuring great players across various rugby league positions like Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, and Cooper Cronk.
The decade would also include some fantastic moments. The 2014 victory for the Rabbitohs was the end of a 43-year premiership drought dating back to before the NRL even existed. The decade ended with the back-to-back premierships for the Sydney Roosters, something which is hard to repeat in the modern salary-cap era.⁶
The 2015 NRL Grand Final between the North Queensland Cowboys and Brisbane Broncos is widely considered one of the greatest matches ever played. With only seconds remaining, Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt scored in the corner to level the game. Johnathan Thurston missed the conversion after the siren, sending the match to golden point extra time. Thurston then kicked a field goal to give the Cowboys a dramatic 17–16 victory and their first premiership.
NRL Grand Final Winners in the 2020s
We may only be halfway through the 2020s, but the decade has been responsible for one of the NRL's most dominant periods. While many different clubs have made the NRL finals, the Penrith Panthers have been the standout team of the era. With the strong junior development system and players like Nathan Cleary, the Panthers have reached 5 finals and won 4.⁴
Melbourne Storm enjoyed a return to premiership glory at the start of the decade, underlining the club's incredible consistency. Still, Penrith didn't wallow in the misery of that Grand Final defeat, did they? This would become the origin of their impressive run of success.
It would take four years before they could exact revenge on Melbourne for the 2020 premiership. Still, after 3 other premiership victories against the Rabbitohs, the Eels, and the Broncos, Penrith were seemingly unstoppable. For neutral fans, the dominance would end in 2025, with the Broncos handing the Storm a second consecutive Grand Final defeat.
The Penrith Panthers have dominated the NRL during the early 2020s. Led by players such as Nathan Cleary, the Panthers won multiple Grand Finals during the decade. They established themselves as one of the strongest teams in modern rugby league. Their victories over clubs such as the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Brisbane Broncos highlighted the club's strong junior development and consistent performance at the highest level.
NRL premierships in five seasons between 2021 and 2024, one of the most dominant runs in modern rugby league.
References
- Butterworth, Liam. “Sydney Roosters Beat Melbourne Storm to Win the 2018 NRL Grand Final.” ABC News Australia, 30 Sept. 2018, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-30/nrl-grand-final-blog-sydney-roosters-beat-melbourne-storm/10322934. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
- Healy, Jon, and Simon Smale. “NRL Grand Final 2024: Penrith Panthers Beat Melbourne Storm.” ABC News Australia, 6 Oct. 2024, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-06/nrl-grand-final-live-storm-panthers-roosters-sharks/104426796. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
- Healy, Jon, and Nick Campton. “Broncos Beat Melbourne Storm in the 2025 NRL Grand Final.” ABC News Australia, 5 Oct. 2025, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-05/nrl-grand-final-live-blog-melbourne-storm-brisbane-broncos/105847434. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
- “NRL Premiership Winners.” National Rugby League, https://www.nrl.com/operations/the-game/premiership-winners/. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
- “NRL Premiership Winners, Biggest Scores & Records.” Odds.com.au, https://www.odds.com.au/blog/nrl/premiership-winners/. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
- “NRL Premiers Winners List – Complete History Since 1908.” Topend Sports, https://www.topendsports.com/sport/league/competition-nrl.htm. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
- “NRL Finals.” Rugby League Project, https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/nrl/finals.html. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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