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James Fisher-Harris' brutal sledge for Parramatta after NRL grand final

James Fisher-Harris, pictured here sledging the Eels during Penrith's grand final celebrations at BlueBet Stadium.
James Fisher-Harris sledged the Eels during Penrith's grand final celebrations at BlueBet Stadium. Image: Getty/Twitter

James Fisher-Harris has declared Parramatta are Penrith's 'sons' in a pointed dig at the Eels following Sunday night's NRL grand final.

Panthers players continued their celebrations at BlueBet Stadium on Monday after their 28-12 win over Parramatta gave them back-to-back premierships.

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Jarome Luai had lit the fuse ahead of the grand final on Sunday when he told the Eels 'you can call us daddy' in reference to the western Sydney rivalry.

And Fisher-Harris continued the trend as Penrith showed off the premiership trophy and all four of their title-winning grades at their home ground on Monday.

"I just want to say - Parra are our sons. That's the facts," Fisher-Harris told a crowd of around 3000 supporters.

It prompted chants of "We hate Parra" from BlueBet Stadium, with the usually quietly spoken prop earlier posting on social media "#Whoyadaddy".

"Everyone gone before us, much respect. But as I said last night - We are the greatest Penrith team ever," Fisher-Harris said.

Luai was met with chants of "Daddy" as he walked out on Monday morning, with all five of the Panthers' club trophies on display.

Wearing a Mt Druitt T-shirt, Luai had one simple response: "Daddy's home".

The biggest cheer was reserved for Clive Churchill medallist Dylan Edwards, as he shot down comparisons between his tackle on Bailey Simonsson and Scott Sattler's game-changing try saver in 2003.

The only player missing from the celebrations was the departing Viliame Kikau.

But that mattered little to Panthers fans, who had been buying 'back-to-back' shirts from the stores at Sydney's Accor Stadium from the 65th minute of the decider.

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Monday's party was three years in the making, after Penrith lost the 2020 grand final to Melbourne and found themselves locked down in Queensland for last year's celebrations.

"It's a little bit different. Last year was euphoric. The first time. We lost the year before and we probably put a little pressure on us," coach Ivan Cleary told reporters.

"There was a lot of other stuff, peripheral stuff, injuries. The preparation was not smooth at all.

"This year was much smoother. We were able to plan things. And to stand here today, the plan has just worked perfectly. Which is so unusual."

Ivan Cleary, pictured here speaking to fans alongside James Fisher-Harris at BlueBet Stadium.
Ivan Cleary speaks to fans alongside James Fisher-Harris at BlueBet Stadium. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

The celebrations also had a proper local element, with 29 of the 33 players Panthers used this year living in the Penrith region.

"It does give an advantage," Cleary said.

"Because they're proud of where they come from, or the country boys who came here as teenagers.

"When I first came to the club in 2012, only 20 per cent of the squad was from Penrith or were juniors. It wasn't a destination club.

"So we had to try and create that. The club's only ever been (premiers in) 1991 and 2003 with mostly locals. We had to try and foster that.

"So all these great results we've had over the four grades, that's a 10-year process. But they're proud of their area and they love Penrith."

with AAP

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