Penrith were staring the wrong kind of history in the face during the first half of their grand final meeting with Melbourne when Harry Grant crashed his way over out of dummy-half.
In 20 out of the past 26 deciders, the team who had crossed the stripe first in the decider went on to lift the premiership.
However, the Panthers have continuously defied expectations on their way to stringing together an incredible four title wins in a row.
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Nathan Cleary opens up on 'mind-blowing' Panthers achievement
After starting their journey with a heartbreaking loss to the Storm during the infancy of what was to become their dynasty, the Panthers claimed revenge for the 2020 loss in the decider with a hard-fought 14-6 win.
Not since North Queensland conjured their high wire escape act against Brisbane in 2015 has a team conceded the first four-pointer in a final and gone onto win.
But tasked with creating their own history, the Panthers set about reeling the Storm in with Sunia Turuva getting his side on the board in his last appearance for the club.
The turnaround was complete in the shadows of half time as Clive Churchill Medal winner Liam Martin charged his way over after some nice lead up work from Nathan Cleary.
The star halfback had been in the news all week as conjecture around just how bad his shoulder injury was rumbled on.
Yet his possible replacement in Brad Schneider got to watch on from the best seat in the house as the No.7 went about his work.
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As if to make a point of his toughness, Cleary ventured into the teeth of Melbourne’s defence time and time again. He finished with two try assists and 118 metres from 14 carries.
Cleary was left lost for words post-match after battling to a fourth premiership win alongside his long-term halves partner Jarome Luai.
The duo, who will no longer form the most successful five-eighth and halfback partnership after the latter’s impending move to the Wests Tigers, basked in the glory out on the field with jewelry adorning their fingers.
"I just look around and see four rings - it’s honestly crazy," Cleary said.
"Five years ago, we were the ones out there crying after losing to that same team. They were the benchmark for so long but now to go for four straight...it’s unbelievable.
"This feeling is just so addictive. Yes, it’s hard, but you’ve got to pay the price for success and you’ve got to pay it even more to constantly stay at the top."
After copping the bitter taste of defeat on the biggest stage against Craig Bellamy’s outfit, Penrith have since rattled off wins against South Sydney, Parramatta and Brisbane before adding their vanquishers to their list of scalps.
"The first time was relief," Cleary said in reference to the drought-breaking win over the Rabbitohs.
"This time, it’s just mind-blowing.
"In the NRL era, we’re definitely [the best side]. I don’t think there’s much more we could do.
"We’ve lost some great players along this journey and will lose more next year, but we just keep on finding a way."
