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The Penrith Panthers will look to claim their first NRL title in 18 years and atone for last year's grand final loss when they face South Sydney.

A GUIDE TO THE NRL GRAND FINAL BETWEEN PENRITH AND SOUTH SYDNEY

Sunday, October 3

Penrith Panthers v South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium, 6.30pm (AEST)

Played: 88, Panthers won 40, Rabbitohs won 47, one drawn

Most recent match: Rabbitohs bt Panthers 16-10 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in qualifying final.

Premierships: Panthers 2, Rabbitohs 21,

Grand Final history: Nil

THE FORM

*Penrith (H&A second, 21 wins, 3 losses). Coach Ivan Cleary describes them as battle-hardened after having to do it the hard way in the finals. The Panthers are still not at their best in attack but their defence is gutsy and that matters most. The fact they have conceded less than 12 points a game this year will be big come Sunday.

*South Sydney (H&A third, 20 wins, four losses). Enter as the form team after shocking Penrith in week one and dismantling Manly in the preliminary final. That confidence from beating the Panthers earlier in the month is mitigated somewhat by the fact they lost their previous four to Penrith, and conceded 50 against them earlier in the year in Dubbo.

THE KEY PLAYERS

* Nathan Cleary (Penrith): Will have to wait on the match review committee's verdict on his dangerous throw on Kenny Bromwich before breathing easy. But three months after his year looked over with a shoulder injury, Cleary should again be the main man for Penrith in a grand final. His kicking and composure has grown even better in 2021 compared to last year's run to the decider, and he has still lost just one match at all levels this season.

* Cody Walker (South Sydney): If there's one half that suits the up-tempo style of rugby league in 2021, it's Cody Walker. The South Sydney five-eighth has laid on a near-record 37 try assists this season and will be a threat to Penrith on both sides of the ruck given the way he swings around to the right to create numbers. That's in addition to his work on the left, where he forms one of the most dangerous edges in the competition alongside Dane Gagai and Alex Johnston.

THE COACHES

* Ivan Cleary (Penrith): Gets a shot at his first premiership in his third grand final. In 2011 he had a young side at the Warriors and in 2020 it was a Penrith team lacking grand final experience. But this year looks his best shot, given the amount of Panthers players feeling the pain of last season's decider. Has already indicated he's not interested in a war of words with Wayne Bennett after their battle around kick blockers in the opening week of the finals.

* Wayne Bennett (South Sydney): The master gets a 10th grand final, as he aims to end the biggest title drought of his career at 11 years. Took the Rabbitohs to two preliminary finals in his first two years at the club, but can sign off a winner before handing over to Jason Demetriou next year. The Rabbitohs' run to the decider makes Bennett the first man to coach four clubs in grand finals. He is almost certain to coach in the NRL again in charge of the 17th franchise, but it would be a fitting way for Bennett to head into his first gap year with a premiership.