Grand final week launched in style on Sydney Harbour

The NRL has officially launched the 2025 Grand Final with a spectacular drone show on Sydney Harbour on Monday night.

Kicking off a week that includes the Grand Final Fan Fest at Sydney's Overseas Passenger Terminal and culminates with three monster clashes spectacular at Accor Stadium on Sunday, the iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House provided the perfect backdrop for the launch.

"We've had a phenomenal season, we've broken records, the response from our fans has been incredible and that's because the football has been incredible," said NRL CEO Andrew Abdo.

"We've had an unbelievable season of free-flowing and entertaining football in both the men's and women's competitions.

"We have Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney represented, and we have the New Zealand Warriors and the Burleigh Bears represented in the State Championships so that's three massive games of football.

"We've had a record-breaking season so thank you to the fans for all the support, enjoy grand final week and have a spectacular Sunday."

Among those in attendance was games record holder Cameron Smith, the man who played his entire glittering career with the Storm after growing up dreaming of being a Bronco.

Smith's 430th and final game was the Storm's 2020 grand final triumph over the Panthers - the year before Ivan Cleary's men kick started their incredible four-peat.

"There's a great rivalry between these two clubs and it's built off Craig Bellamy," said Smith on Monday night.

"He was an assistant coach at the Broncos for a few years before becoming the head coach of the Melbourne Storm and of course we played against each other in the grand final way back in 2006 where the Broncos got the spoils and hopefully the tables turn on Sunday."

Roosters NRLW captain Isabelle Kelly has her side riding an incredible unbeaten season as they head into Sunday's decider against Brisbane and she's backing preliminary final hero Jocelyn Kelleher to again deliver.

"Jocelyn showcased what she can do on the weekend and she can solidify those moments for us in the big games," Kelly said.

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