The Penrith Panthers have won the 2021 NRL Grand Final 14-12, claiming their first Premiership since 2003 after ending last season as the runners-up.

Panthers Hall of Fame legend Royce Simmons told Jim Wilson the team truly overcame the odds given how battered and bruised their stars were from previous games.

“What a lot of people probably don’t realise was how many players went into that game a bit worse injured that what Penrith let on about.

“All the boys who carried the ball a long way all took bad leg injuries into the game.”

Press PLAY below to hear his reflections on the Grand Final victory

Former Panther and now NSW Blues coach Brad ‘Freddy’ Fittler told Jim the Rabbitohs barely stood a chance against the “effective” and strong-willed Penrith team.

However, he commended the “courageous” Bunnies for putting up a fight, especially given their youth and inexperience.

“I’ve got to hand it to Souths, how they held them out was just incredible, for a team that had really only found their defence over the last couple of months.

“[It] was an incredible effort.”

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview

Image: Chris Hyde/Getty Images