Watching the NRL Grand Final at the Sails Sports Bar Mackay
Due to a recent covid outbreak numbers were restricted at Suncorp Stadium where the 2021 NRL grand final was to be held. Fortunately it went ahead at 75% capacity but unfortunately I was unable to attend. A good consolation was a trip to Mackay where I caught it on the big screen at my favourite haunt, the Sails Sports Bar on the harbour. I can’r recommend it enough, a well polished vibrant bar with great atmosphere.
The date is Sunday October 3rd and the finalists Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs are about to kick off. Panthers were touted as the favourites and they had a strong desire to take the trophy after their 2020 loss in the grand final. Rabbitohs too were lusting for victory as it had been 7 years since they last tasted it. I was poised up the front of a pack of avid Rabbitohs fans who showed their exuberance at each of the 3 tries scored by their team. There was no shortage of Panthers however and the crowd lit up with each successive try and strategies. The Panthers truly were in great form but the Rabbitohs never let them take the lead by far. It came to 2 points between them with an unfortunate field goal by team captain Adam Reynolds being missed seconds before the final buzzer. A gallant effort to the end but nothing was going to stop the Panthers from taking this victory. A nail biting score of 14 to 12 to wrap up a te3rrific year of NRL.
If you’d like to hear some of the post match comments from fans check out the clips here.
Bring on 2022! Watch out for Adam Reynolds he will make Suncorp Stadium his new home as a Bronco!
