Welcome to the NSWRL's live blog for the NRL State Championship, returning for the first time since 2019, between the Penrith Panthers and Norths Devils. The Panthers won The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup 29-22 against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs last weekend, while the Devils came up trumps 16-10 over the Redcliffe Dolphins to take out Queensland's Hostplus Cup.
Follow all the action from kick-off at 1:20pm.
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3:18pm: In his last game before moving on to Parramatta in 2023, J'maine Hopgood is named Player of the Match.
3:12pm: Faiumu adds the extras and the Panthers, with a 44-10 win, are your 2022 State Champions!
3:10pm: The Panthers put the icing on the cake with a grandstand finish as a flying Turuva scores in the left corner.
3:03pm: Devils half Jack Ahearn sets up winger Rashaun Denny with a floating pass to score. Five-eighth Connor Broadhurst slots the conversion from the sideline and decreases the deficit to 38-10.
3:00pm: Hopgood bags his second try in similar fashion to the first, catching on to a Soni Luke grubber and planting the ball down beneath the posts. Falls' conversion brings the score-line to 38-4.
2:54pm: Norths are finally on the scoresheet through No.4 Tony Tumusa, who scores on the left edge untouched. 34-4.
2:49pm: Luke Sommerton races away from dummy-half to score in his fifth NSW Cup appearance for 2022. Falls adds the two points for a 32-0 lead.
2:48pm: The Devils charge upfield and Soni Luke gets sent to the bin for a professional foul. The Devils force a repeat set but a successful short drop-out gets the Panthers out of trouble.
2:39pm: Another scoring chance goes begging for the Devils as the Panthers head to the 20 for the restart.
2:32pm: A dominant follow-up set of six sees Luke shoot out of dummy-half to find Rob Jennings in the corner, pushing the lead out to 26-0.
2:28pm: The Panthers are in again and there's no one more deserving of four points than John Faiumu, having played every game this season for the mountain men. 22-0.
2:09: HALFTIME. Norths hold Penrith out and play out the remainder of the half. Panthers lead 18-0.
2:07pm: An unbelievable kick return from Turuva has the Panthers right back on the attack.
2:00pm: A lovely ball from Hopgood puts front-rower Eddie Blacker over the stripe. Falls converts, 18-0 Panthers.
1:55pm: On the ensuing set the Panthers extend their lead through NSW Cup Grand Final Player of the Match Soni Luke, who scoots out of dummy-half and scores under the sticks. Falls adds the extras for a 12-0 advantage.
1:53pm: Devils centre Jacob Gagan crosses only to be overturned for a knock-on. Score remains 6-0.
1:47pm: Norths go close to scoring but they're pushed into touch shy of the corner post.
1:42pm: The Devils repelled the Panthers after another attacking set, but they're unable to score up the other end.
1:31pm: Soni Luke puts in a deft grubber kick, and J'maine Hopgood scores with a remarkable put-down just before the dead-ball line. Falls converts for a 6-0 lead.
1:30pm: The Panthers get the penalty and start the set on the attack.
1:27pm: Hang on. The try has been overturned for a push by Turuva. Back to nil-all.
1:26pm: Sunia Turuva goes the sky and comes down to score. Panthers 4-0.
