The 2024 NRL Grand Final will pit two of the best teams in the modern era against each other.
The Melbourne Storm are appearing in their 10th Grand Final under supercoach Craig Bellamy, and will be taking on the three-peat premiers Penrith Panthers, who are looking to win an incredible fourth premiership in a row.
It is set to be a thrilling match, with the game almost being too close to call.
The Sporting News looks at some of the key head-to-head stats between the two sides ahead of Sunday's decider.
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Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers head-to-head record, stats
- Games: 46
- Melbourne Storm wins: 31
- Penrith Panthers wins: 15
- Melbourne Storm points scored: 1151
- Penrith Panthers points scored: 733
Melbourne stand far ahead in the head-to-head record between the two teams, having won 31 matches against Penrith compared to the Panthers' 15.
They won five of their first six matches when they entered the competition in 1998, and also went on a 13-game winning streak between 2006 and 2013.
They have also won eight of the matches at AAMI Park, with Penrith winning just once at the venue back in 2018.
The Panthers' record has improved since their ascendancy to the top of the NRL, having won seven of the last 12 matchups between the two sides since 2020.
Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers NRL finals history
- Finals matches: 3
- Melbourne Storm wins: 1
- Penrith Panthers wins: 2
- Melbourne Storm points scored: 36
- Penrith Panthers points scored: 68
Given finals matches between the sides have only occurred in the 2020s, the Panthers have a much better record when it comes to win or go home matches.
They did lose the first one - it was a big one in the 2020 Grand Final - but they rebounded and have ended the Storm's season twice in the three seasons since then.
The first came in an upset win in the 2021 preliminary final, before a much more comfortable victory in last year's preliminary final.
They would now love to get full revenge for the heartbreaking defeat in 2020 on Sunday.
Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers 2024 regular season meetings
The two sides met twice in the regular season, and it was the Storm who won both in tight fashion.
They met in round one at AAMI Park, where the Panthers became the first defending premiers to be held scoreless in the opening round in their 8-0 defeat.
The next clash came in August at Penrith's BlueBet Stadium, with the minor premiership still being on the line for both teams at the time.
Penrith did get on the board this time, but the Storm held on for a 24-22 win, in a game where Nathan Cleary was forced off with a shoulder injury.
