The Penrith Panthers won a scarcely believable fourth Grand Final in a row in a 14-6 victory over the Melbourne Storm on Sunday night.
It is a remarkable achievement and cements their status as the best team in the NRL era, and stands out more given the players they have had to let go over the years.
That list is set to grow in 2025, including some star players who came through the youth ranks at the club.
After the match, Panthers staff and players paid tribute to one popular figure in particular.
MORE: Panthers player ratings from 2024 GF | Storm player ratings from 2024 GF
Jarome Luai praised after Grand Final
Speaking to media after the Grand Final, Nathan and Ivan Cleary paid tribute to star half Jarome Luai, who played his last game for the Panthers.
The 27-year-old has signed on with the Wests Tigers on a big money move starting next season, but he made sure his last ride was one to remember.
Cleary, who has played alongside Luai for years since coming through the junior pathways, shared a special moment with his halves partner and praised him after the game.
"[It's] especially special with him," he said, "[we've] been playing alongside each other for a very long time now since we were kids, and [we] can only dream of what's happened.
"To share it with him and his last game for the Panthers and [to] send him off like that was the way we wanted to do it and the way he deserved.
"He's given so much to this club and been a big custodian of the culture. It's kind of sad, but also just so special."
Coach Cleary echoed the sentiments, admitting he got emotional when handing Luai his Grand Final jersey into the lead-up of the game.
"He's been here since SG Ball and obviously played next to Nat for a long time, so I think of all of those boys a bit like sons," he said.
"He's just such an infectious personality. It was a difficult negotiation at the start of the year... it was hard on him, but he put his head down and he's stood up this year like when Nat was out, he stood up when we really needed him.
"I'm just so proud of not just the player he's become, [but] with the person he is and the man he's become."
