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Referee Tony Archer could not have it explained it better. “Take a break guys its 28-0” he yelled as the Melbourne Storm packed a scrum knowing they had just secured their third straight Grand Final appearance, defeating the Cronulla Sharks.
Neither Archer nor the 27,000 other Sharks fans could believe the score.
The Storm, without their captain Cameron Smith and fellow internationals Ryan Hoffman and Jeremy Smith, gave it to the Sharks and thus find themselves one game away from defending the title received in 2007.
Cronulla did not play that badly either, but it is the way the Storm can transform the game in the twinkling of the eye that just sets them apart from the rest of the NRL competition.
The Sharks dominated the early exchanges and had the Storm back peddling thanks to penetrating runs by Misi Talapapa and Isaac De Gois respectively.
But when it seemed Cronulla were holding their own, Storm half Cooper Cronk was scheming the Sharks defence and bang, he went through.
Like the intelligent player he is, Cronk seized the moment beautifully to put in a delightful grubber kick for winger Steve Turner to swoop up and score.
Up to that stage, the Sharks were dominating territory and possession. Not that it did the Storm any harm.
Cronulla had their chances, particularly early in the second half to perhaps cause Melbourne some concern.
But as Archer would highlight later, the Storm just don’t give up.
This is a team who plays for each other and it’s easy to see why they have ruled the competition the way they have these past few seasons.
On paper, they are a team of champions but on the field, they are also a champion team.
The Sharks, through Brett Kimmorley and Blake Green, tried to find a way across Melbourne’s white chalk.
Despite averaging over 29 points in the last six weeks of competition, Cronulla were finding it immensely difficult to score just one.
Of course the usual culprits from the Storm’s behalf were lock Dallas Johnson and Michael Crocker.
Johnson in particular had made 32 tackles when the match still had over 20 minutes remaining.
His efforts were once again Herculean while Cronk displayed leadership qualities that will leave coach Craig Bellamy wondering if he ever needed a Cameron Smith in the side.
Storm winger Turner was also brilliant. He scored two tries and his reads in defence were second to none.
Cronulla fullback Brett Kearney was often thwarted by Turner coming off his wing to affect a tackle. It also caused confusion in the Sharks attack.
Ultimately, nothing was getting through Melbourne’s line.
For one moment just try to forget the grapple tackles and try to forget the Chicken wing. While your at it, try to forget the whinging that is often associated with the Storm.
Because Melbourne can also play footy as well.
They are among the two best attacking teams in the competition and more than hold their own in defence.
And no doubt they will hold their own when they aim to defend their Premiership crown next Sunday afternoon.