The Melbourne Storm completed a dominant finals campaign with a crushing 34-6 win in the NRL grand final against the North Queensland Cowboys.
More 2017 NRL Grand Final
» Perfect Storm were always going to be premiers
» The Liebke ratings
» Five talking points from the match
» North Queensland Cowboys player ratings
» Melbourne Storm player ratings
» Watch video highlights from the match
It was a tough night for the Queensland side from the outset when Shaun Fensom was taken out of the game after a freak accident.
Fensom tried to prevent a break from the Storm but was tangled up with teammate Ethan Lowe. His leg was forced sideways and his grand final was over after just three minutes with a suspected broken tibia.
After a lengthy stoppage, the Storm looked likely to score first despite some bruising defence from Antonio Winterstein.
The first try came in controversial fashion when Cowboy five-eighth Te Maire Martin ran into the referee which may or may not have prevented him from stopping Josh Ado-Carr who streaked away to score after a slick pass from Will Chambers.
From that point on the Storm went about their business with clinical precision.
As usual, it was the kicking game of Cooper Cronk which was on fire – ably supported by his captain Cameron Smith.
Cronk forced a dropout with a well-weighted kick and on the resulting play he was in the action again setting up Felise Kaufusi to give the Melbourne team their second try.
It went from bad to worse for the Cowboys when Winterstein made a meal of a seemingly innocuous Cronk grubber moments later.
Fullback Billy Slater crossed to give Melbourne an 18-point lead at half-time.
After just one penalty in the opening half, the Storm conceded three in a row early in the second.
It gave the Cowboys a rare sniff at the Melbourne try line and Te Maire Martin finally broke through the Storm’s defence to score.
It was the first points the Storm had conceded in 140 minutes of finals football.
The Cowboys began to build pressure but couldn’t make the most of further sets inside the Storm’s 20.
Melbourne lock Dale Finucane all but put the game to bed in the 64th minute with a barge over try on the back of an assist from Smith.
Smith was everywhere in the game and had 41 tackles. He could have easily been awarded the Clive Churchill medal but the honour went to Billy Slater who finished with a try, an assist and 168 run metres.
The night was summed up from the Cowboys when Kane Linnett coughed up the ball coming out of the defence. Curtis Scott accepted the error with glee to score a grand final try in his debut season.
With the game well and truly in the bag the Storm turned into the Harlem Globetrotters with Smith, Cronk, Slater and Tohu Harris combining for a party-trick to set up Addo-Carr for his second.
It was the icing on the cake for the best team of the season.
The Barry
Roar Guru
"Two words. Go Storm lol." Brilliant! And you're trying to call me stupid!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Getting your log-ins mixed up there Kenny? I was responding to Dean-o.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Still haven't offered a comment about the game Kenny...I wouldn't be questioning anyone else's expertise if I were you.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hahaha...the fact you think troglodyte is some sort of fancy word (worst?) used only be people that study hard shows what a grade A imbecile you are.
Ken
Guest
No im not calling you childish Barry Warry ....buuuuuut ?
R N
Roar Rookie
Don't get to down on the Storm supporters... pretty sure Dean/Ken are the same dude!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Always. Stay classy Dean-o.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
I hate it when the kids fight. I blame you Scott! ;)
Brendon
Guest
I must disagree TB. 3 of them, sure I can agree with but that penalty against Billy for working the head was questionable, even on replay (which I did recheck). He was barely even in the tackle... Regardless I am glad it was a big score, it meant no matter what controversy took place, the refs can't be blamed for the final outcome.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I had the Storm -22.5 points at $4.25 Very happy to see them win. Show me one thing I've written begrudging the Stormvictory. Still no comments about the game Ken?
Wolly
Roar Guru
Asking a question is lecturing now? Obviously you're not a chihuahua, but you're definitely not a lion either. We both said things that aren't true no big deal.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Played league and union for over 20 years. Played junior rep league. Not great not bad. But we're all commenting on a game we only watched - unless you ran out there last night?
Emcie
Roar Guru
The guy praises your team and you insult him? Where did all the respectable storm supporters go? Still celebrating probably rather then trying to get off on a sports forum
R N
Roar Rookie
? that's pretty funny. Mine was a bad ball... should have been put away!
Emcie
Roar Guru
?? The vast majority of roarers were tipping the storm and have been saying that the premiership has been the storms since before the finals. The cowboys bandwagon has been more about hope and fairytales then expectation. The only trolls on here appeared after the game
Ken
Guest
Def enjoyed the win Dean like all storm Roar fans and I am enjoying Barry Warrys saltiness on here I go away come back have a laugh at his childishness , throw another bit of petroleum on the fire , watch him make another silly childish comment An laugh again , ahhh keep making storm fans laugh Bawwy , Opinion Dean I think the lamest posts on the Roar has been Barry's during the finals lol and even when he attempts to sound fair it's so false it makes you wanna laugh some more .
Emcie
Roar Guru
At least you know he didn't waste too much paper mate ;) It's amazing how many new names appear after a big game.... Also, if anyones interested, I was thinking of crowdfunding a sitcom staring The Barry and BigJ as neighbours. Should get us through to next season!
The Barry
Roar Guru
"Any time my team concedes a penalty it's the refs fault" and you're calling me childish?
R N
Roar Rookie
Fair enough... I was typing though shattered dreams! Watched the game again this morning (just to toture myself)... the Storm where great right across the park, deserved winners! I am far from a Storm fan but they have been great all year... it really was their year!
Ken
Guest
Dean now you really realise barry " watched " rugby league for 35 year so lol so we know he obviously didn't play it or I feel probably not very well ,because most of his so called expertise on the game is base on his armchair expertise ? , watched for 35 years lol oh my .