Melbourne might need a new trophy cabinet. They have had added the 2017 NRL title to their minor premiership silverware after defeating the Cowboys in the grand final, capping off a remarkable season for the Storm.
Melbourne were far too good for North Queensland, running away 34-6 victors at ANZ Stadium after a destructive and dominant display. Winger Josh Addo-Carr got a double and tries came to Dale Finucane, Billy Slater, Curtis Scott and Felise Kaufusi as the Storm starred. Te Maire Martin managed a solitary try for the Cowboys in response, but it was one-way traffic in Sydney’s west.
Melbourne showed their class in Cooper Cronk’s last game for the club, sending out the veteran halfback a winner.
The Storm were stronger from the outset, going close to scoring early on two occasions. It was bad news early for North Queensland who lost pop Shaun Fenson early with a badly broken leg. Then livewire flyer Addo-Carr got the breakthrough the Victorians craved. ‘The Fox’ took Will Chambers’ offload and ran 75 metres, dodging defenders left and right, to score a brilliant try. Melbourne sensed blood in the water.
Kaufusi was the next to cross, after Billy Slater set him up off a set play. Then Antonio Winterstein knocked on a Cronk grubber kick to give the Storm prime field position. They didn’t waste it, as Slater slipped out of a tackle to score. At half-time it was already 18-0 to the Storm and the victory from there looked a mere formality.
The Cowboys had to come out much better in the second half and they did sustain set after set early on the Storm’s line. But Melbourne are not the best defensive side in the NRL for nothing, and they were content to give away penalty after penalty.
However, eventually, Martin got through some tired defence to give the Cowboys a chance. It was as good as it got. At 18-6 there was some hope for North Queensland, though it didn’t last long. After weathering the comeback for a while, Melbourne then hit back through Dale Finucane. It was 24-6 after 63 minutes and the Cowboys’ dream was effectively over.
Smith, Slater, Cronk and co rubbed further salt in the wood in the finals stages as Curtis Scott strolled through next, after Addo-Carr picked up a loose ball. The damage was done and Paul Green’s men were out on their feet.
‘The Big Three’ then combined for the final try, Slater offloading to Tohu Harris who through a long pass out on the wing to Addo-Carr. What a night to remember for the young Aboriginal winger, who only joined the Storm a year ago from Wests Tigers. Surely higher honours beckon for the 22-year-old in the future.
But the evening definitely belonged to scrum-half Cronk and his great mate Slater. Cronk is leaving the Storm to move to Sydney to be with is partner.
“There’s no fairytales in rugby league, all there is working really hard and results go your way,” the 33-year=old told Channel Nine. “But this is one hell of a football team to come back from the disappointment of last year and continually do the hard work and continually do the hard things that make you a good footy team.”
For Slater, it marked an amazing comeback season after spending two years out with shoulder injuries. The 34-year-old fullback, who has done it all in rugby league for club and country, chocked back tears as the final hooter sounded. Melbourne had done it, they were champions once more.
