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
» Match report: Storm slam Cowboys
» The Liebke ratings
» Five talking points from the match
» North Queensland Cowboys player ratings
» Melbourne Storm player ratings
» Watch video highlights from the match
Final score
Melbourne Storm 34
North Queensland Cowboys 6
The North Queensland Cowboys have pulled off three straight upsets, but facing minor premiers the Melbourne Storm in the NRL grand final could be a bridge too far. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:15pm (AEDT).
A line that has been rung out time and time again over the last couple of weeks is that the Cowboys simply don’t deserve to be here.
It’s half true, given they fell into the finals, but if you look at the form they have hit, along with the style and quality of rugby league they have been playing, then they deserve to be here more than any other side.
Upsets against the Cronulla Sharks, Parramatta Eels and Sydney Roosters last week have shown their ability to adapt to the game scenario and situation, play what’s in front of them and stay alive in tough situations. It’s been an incredible run.
All season though, it’s been everyone in a race for second place behind the might of Melbourne. Cooper Cronk is in his last season for the club, Billy Slater’s form is outstanding and Cameron Smith is fresh off a second Dally M Medal.
Melbourne finished the season on 44 points with a for and against of 300. We haven’t seen numbers like that for a decade.
Yet, two finals at home seemed to put them under a little bit of pressure. They were scrappy against the Eels despite getting the job done in the qualifier, then took a long time to hit their stride against the Broncos.
When they did, Craig Bellamy’s men were dominant as they ran on a 30-0 victory. Their defence was good saving their errors in the first half though, and as a team it’s hard to find where they don’t win the match-ups across the park.
If North Queensland are going to get the job done, it’s going to be a full team effort, as it has been throughout the finals. Jason Taumalolo, who has made 250 metres in each of the finals so far, and Michael Morgan will need to lead the way though.
The other factor is that Melbourne haven’t travelled in over a month – while grand final week means they have plenty of time in Sydney to adjust, it could be a point early in the contest regardless.
Prediction
The Storm have been the best team all season and despite their patchiness through the finals series, rightfully go in as favourites. Something out of the ordinary will have to happen if they aren’t going to hold that tag and avenge last year’s grand final loss as well.
Storm by 10.
Can the Cowboys pull off the miracle upset to end all miracles and complete the fairytale?
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the NRL grand final from 7:15pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers Geoff. Appreciate it mate. Your comments have been great as well!
Duncan Smith
Guest
i know you've got a soft spot for the Dogs 95 team, but were they really better than 1984 or 2004?
Duncan Smith
Guest
I agree TB, better than Lockyer, Eadie, Langlands, and even Greg Brentnall (great player!)
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Yep - great comments from Cooper - a real sportsman. I think we all have to sit back and reflect that we have been privileged to watch Smith, Cronk and Slater play.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
My thoughts as well. Had Smith as best on the park but Billy would be up there as well
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
You've done a fantastic job this year Scott. Particularly your summaries and talking points from each round. Enjoy your time off.
Peter Phelps
Guest
Was convinced Smith would get it but as a reflection of his come back achievement, I don't begrudge Billy anything.
Emcie
Roar Guru
78 run metres, over 500 kick metres and a try assist
The Barry
Roar Guru
Nice one Renegade I had Richmond at $2.45 yesterday and Storm -22.5 @ 4.25 Doesn't compare to your record but I'll definitely be keen to hear your 2018 tip!
Emcie
Roar Guru
Oi, you can't change the topic of the list halfway through the discussion! Bring it back to the best player list
Scott Pryde
Expert
Can't bloody wait for the World Cup. More the group stages with the Pacific island matches. They are going to be awesome.
The Barry
Roar Guru
No more NRL for 6 months!!! Bring on the World Cup!!!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, as the Storm get their rings and lift the Provan-Summons trophy for 2017, that's where we are going to leave our live coverage on The Roar, as the Melbourne Storm claimed the NRL premiership with a dominant win over the gallant North Queensland Cowboys. I hope you have enjoyed not just tonight, but the entire year of coverage right here on The Roar. We have managed to bring you every single game live from start to finish, and not miss a moment of the season. On that, I'd like to thank the rest of our blogging team, our wonderful video producers who produce so much content and highlights week in and week out. The biggest thankyou though goes to Josh Elliott who coordinates the live blogging and gets our blogs up on schedule. Now, that's now where Rugby League finishes in 2017. The Rugby League World Cup kicks-off on Friday, October 27 with Australia taking on England. The Roar plan to be live for every single one of those matches as well, through to the final on the first Saturday in December. Aside from that, the A-League starts on Friday, we will cover one NBL match per round from Thursday, and Bathurst is on next weekend. NBL sides are also heading to America from Tuesday at midday, and I'll have that one live. Oh, and did I mention the small matter of The Ashes? They start in late November. For now though, it's time to celebrate the Storm's wonderful season. Enjoy the rest of your evening. Bye for now.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Broncos 2015 - the droppers
The Barry
Roar Guru
Scratch Lewis for Kenny and JT for Shifty Sherwin!
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I thought the first try was poor but it didn't affect the result.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Bulldogs 1980...The Entertainers
Renegade
Roar Guru
Slater Churchill Medal, Addo-Carr first try and Melbourne 13+. Add that to my pre season punt on Melbourne to take out the premiership while still at double digit odds..... and I can tell you Grand Final day is starting to become another bonus pay ? Well done to the Storm, been the best team all year by a country mile.
Scott Pryde
Expert
You definitely said 'all-time'. But you're right.
The Barry
Roar Guru
No Langmack?