In the spirit of NRL season 2018, there’s been a lot of whingeing this week about the fact we’ve got a Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters Grand Final.
Even in these hallowed pages of The Roar we’ve seen negativity seeping in as people compete vigorously to demonstrate just how uninterested they are.
More NRL Grand Final
» MITHEN: Roosters finally meet expectations
» Match report: Sydney smash Storm
» Seven talking points from the match
» WATCH: Video highlights from the match
» Sydney Roosters player ratings
» Melbourne Storm player ratings
» Best and funniest tweets
“It’s the same teams again!” They cry.
“The Roosters/Storm have rorted/cheated/wrestled/refereed their way to the top, so I’m switching off in droves!” scream the fans of 14 teams spending grand final day sharing an esky in their lounge rooms.
Well I’m not having that. If you’re not up for this game you’ve got rocks in your head. Think you’ve got an excuse not to watch? Let me wreck it for you. You’re welcome.
Victor Radley of the Roosters (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
They buy everyone else’s best players – they don’t develop their own!
Keep an eye on a few Roosters then. Let’s start with centre Joseph Manu, who’s been at Bondi since he was a teenager (and for mine scored the try of the season against Souths in round 22). Origin star Latrell Mitchell (also been there since his teen years).
This season’s revelation Victor Radley (same). And don’t forget Paul Momirovski, running on for just his third first grade match.
On the purple side of the ball, how about Brodie Croft? Just a kid filling Cooper Cronk’s place being asked to guide the reigning premiers to back-to-back championships. No pressure.
In the centres against Manu? Curtis Scott. He’s only played 38 games. Did Wests put up much of a fight for Josh Addo-Carr? And remind me – which teams did the Storm steal Felise Kafusi and Suliasi Vunivalu from?
They’re two boring defensive teams!
Really? You’re going with this one? You wish your team defended as well as these two. I know I do.
Defence wins championships and these two are the defensive standard bearers for the competition. But they also bring some of the most potent attacking weapons in the game.
I’ve mentioned Mitchell, Vunivalu and Manu, but there’s James Tupou, Blake Ferguson, James Tedesco, Billy Slater, Cam Munster… Should I continue?
If you want to keep crying about the defensive focus though, here’s a few numbers.
Our grand finalists finished the regular season with a combined points differential of +354. Both are in the top five in the NRL for tries, try assists and line break assists.
The Roosters averaged 22 points a game, Melbourne the same (Souths had the best attack, they averaged 24ppg). These aren’t two teams who are allergic to the tryline. They just value their own more than everyone else does.
There’s Origin and International talent all over the park. Mitchell vs Will Chambers. Keary vs Munster. JWH vs NAS. And you’re gonna change the channel because you’re sickened by watching quality defence try to handle world-class attack? Come on.
Melbourne Storm’s Will Chambers Credit:SNPA / Ross Setford
Billy Slater shouldn’t be out there!
Still raging because ‘Billy Slater is a protected species who got away with an obvious shoulder charge and I really really wanted him to miss a grand final’? Gees, you must be fun at parties.
Cry all you want about pecs vs shoulders, but Billy will be playing and he’ll be spectacular as usual in his swansong.
I love Billy Slater. He’s the best fullback I’ve seen. He’s just the right mix of brilliant superstar and dirty bastard. I’m sad that he’s pulling the pin. If you hate him, take solace in the fact that you won’t have to tweet about him any more after this game.
They both cheat! They’re ref’s favourites!
A quick note on this one – every team in the NRL cheats, or tries to cheat. They fall asleep on the tackled player, ‘accidentally’ get tangled up in the play the ball, put their hand on the ball, pull at elbows and forearms and get up to all manner of general bastardry once the tackling begins.
Your team does it, my team does it. You might think your team doesn’t do it, but they do. They’re just rubbish at ‘tackle tech’. These guys are really, really good at it.
As for the referees? This is a grand final. The whistle will likely only be blown four times – to start and finish each of the 40 minutes.
It will be adjudicated exactly the same as grand finals and origins of yore, and everyone seems to enjoy and encourage that. You want stacks of penalties? Go watch the Wallabies.
I just hate both teams!
Hey, that’s cool. I’m a Canberra Raiders man. I’ve hated every grand finalist since 1994 and I’ve hate-watched more than my share of deciders. No one’s forcing you to love either the salary sombrero brothers or the tag-team champions from down south.
Billy Slater of the Storm (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
But before you hit play on your well worn copy of ‘The Final Winter’, how bout this – you get to watch one of your most hated rivals lose a grand final in (probably) heart breaking scenes! What could be better than that?
This is going to be a belter of a grand final for us neutrals. There’s less than a cigarette paper between these teams.
Just relax, let the aggro ebb away through your toes and appreciate the best of the best going after each other.
Oh – and make sure you experience Gang of Youths. They’re awesome.
Footy Fan
Guest
Agree to disagree on that. Most 16 & 17 year old's are in school. Even if they are footy-mad, most development happens between 18 and 21. The majority probably play a few games of first grade around 21. Some players, like Cody Walker don't make first grade til mid-20s. A subject Gus Gould often rattles on about, and how we should send kids through reserve grade for 1-2 years.
The Barry
Roar Guru
That’s a great post. The game is much bigger than being a cry baby because someone’s favourite team isn’t playing. Love the number 41 jersey combining Eadie and Fulton’s numbers!!!
Rellum
Roar Guru
Keep dreaming. They couldn't even beat. 12 man Roosters team.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Nah I didn't in the end.
Last straw
Guest
Thank you for inviting all fans of footy to get past their prejudices or excuses to deflate a once in a year event. After reading a Tim Gore article about how this Grand Final is of no interest to the greater RL community and then reading yours, I applaud your efforts to remind people that we have a Grand Final packed with skilled athletes regardless of the colours and whom they represent. My first NRL Jumper was given to me by dad, which was a Rabbit's jersey that I never took off. My mum got me a Roosters Jersey from the OP shop not long after that (they weren't doing well back then). My parents lived in Randwick, Maroubra and Bondi, moving around the East and South trying to find cheap rent back in those days ( 50 years ago). I don't care about all the reasons why a club should be despised or revered. I loved Big Artie, had a West Magpies jersey (number 7 for Tommy of course) and got a Manly jersey from a mate and glued number 41 on it because I was Bob Fulton and Graham Eadie for a few seasons. I had a Dragon's jersey as well but the red V was a lot thinner than what the Saint's jersey was at the time, but still, I was told by my dad and all his mates that you can't not have a Saint's jersey due to Gaznier, Langlands, Smith, etc. It was white, so it was great fun getting it dirty. My prized Jersey was a Jets jersey that was unfortunately nicked from my bag at school. I was lucky amongst all my friends because when a game of backyard footy was on I was told to bring the jerseys so we could all emulate our favourite player ( I was #11 Beetson naturally). I am a 54 year old kid and still have the Jerseys (somewhere) and these memories. Forget the politics, judiciaries and jealousies. Appreciate the athletes, regardless of the club they represent and enjoy another Grand Final. Go Roosters, but I would like a Storm number one jersey to add to my collection for next game in the backyard.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
No worries Kay. See you this time next year (you Roosters fans seem to disappear and then reappear on the Roar at finals time every year!!!)
Kay Merda
Roar Rookie
I agree. Thanks AJ for all the articles. Can't wait for the game! Con, better luck next year with the Souffs Facebook filter and brand new coach!
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I was answering the comment t the top of this article which was on the GF.. I like my footy but neither of these teams (would have much prteferred my footy if the Bears were still there). End of story.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
The Storm's team of 2017 would beat any of your Broncos premiership sides, Rellum. The only one that might beat them would be the 1998 side.
Peter Piper
Guest
That is fair enough Cad, there is absolutely no compunction to like either of these teams but let me ask you this, "Do you like Rugby League ?" because that is what we are talking about.
AJ Mithen
Expert
Stick with the day Carolyn cos it'll be a great game.
AJ Mithen
Expert
Hang on Rellum - that sounds like you care!! ;)
AJ Mithen
Expert
You're dead inside Rellum
AJ Mithen
Expert
Thanks Con. This will be fun, no matter who we hate!
AJ Mithen
Expert
Cheers Baz. But tooheys new??!! Sheesh...
AJ Mithen
Expert
Thanks Ja Ja!
Rellum
Roar Guru
To be honest i would rather Melbourne win because I can think of a couple of reasons I would prefer them to win, like they play a more expansive game compared to Easts. The main reason I am not keen for the Storm to go back to back is because to me they are not even in the same poat code as the Broncs teams that did it in the 90's but if they do win they still won't be
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Sorry. I don't like either side. Easts are the ones most complained about because of alleged salary cap fofges and the Storm, the new masters of WWE. No interest in this game at all.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
First beer already? Pace yourself, the Baz, don't want to burn out before kick off!
JimboJones
Guest
Put on a bit of "Blackberry Smoke" for background music ....Fairly fitting with the pork cooking away . Sounds like a perfect day .