Updated September 30, 2012 22:58:15
Welcome to Grandstand's live coverage of the 2012 NRL grand final, which Melbourne Storm won 14-4 over the Canterbury Bulldogs in front of 82,976 at Sydney's Olympic stadium.
September 30, 2012
Sydney's Olympic stadium
Crowd: 82, 976
Hoffman - 7'
Slater - 33'
O'Neill - 40'
Smith 1/3 convs
Smith 0/2 pens
Melbourne Storm has won its first premiership since the NRL stripped it of two titles for salary cap breaches.
The Storm defeated the Bulldogs 14-4 in a grand final marred by a biting allegation levelled against Canterbury's James Graham.
The Bulldogs' English forward appeared to bite Storm full-back Billy Slater after a brawl broke out following the 26th minute try to Canterbury winger Sam Perrett.
Graham was placed on report after Slater, with a bloodied ear, made the biting allegation to referee Tony Archer.
Bulldogs coach Des Hasler and captain Michael Ennis both refused to comment on the incident after the match.
Perrett had levelled the scores after Storm forward Ryan Hoffman scored the opening try of the match in the seventh minute.
But Melbourne half-back Cooper Cronk stamped his class on the match in the back end of the first half.
Cronk, who was awarded the Clive Churchill medal for the best player in the grand final, produced a deft pass for Slater to score in the 32nd minute.
Melbourne consolidated its lead in the shadows of the break with Cronk's pin-point kick for winger Justin O'Neill to score in the corner in the 39th minute.
Melbourne maintained its 14-4 half-time lead through to the end of the game with a superb defensive display in the second half.
Storm Skipper Cameron Smith said he has never seen a better defensive effort from his side in a big game.
"I thought our defence was amazing today," Slater told Grandstand after the match.
"We knew it was going to take a special effort to beat these guys. They did not finish minor premiers on a fluke."
Melbourne set the standard for an excellent second half defensive effort when it repelled five successive sets of six early in the second half.
The Bulldogs went close to reeling in the Storm's lead just after the hour mark when full-back Ben Barba broke away down the touch line.
He kicked in field for centre Josh Morris but the experienced Slater was able to knock the high bouncing ball dead.
Slater's performance was not far behind man-of-the-match Cronk.
Slater, along with Cronk, was playing in a fifth grand final. They had won the 2007 and 2009 titles but later had them taken away for salary cap breaches.
"It's just a pleasure playing with this lot," Slater said.
"You see a lot of highlights when we are scoring tries and people doing special things but the work ethic of this group of players is exceptional."
The Storm should have won by a bigger margin but captain Smith only kicked one goal from four attempts.
Smith praised the contribution of coach Craig Bellamy and said there is a difference between he and other coaches in what they do during the year.
"He puts so much time and effort into preparation and knowing what to expect from your opposition on game day.
"I read during the week that he's been through some tough times and was thinking of giving it away. Geez I'm glad he didn't."
Losing captain Michael Ennis said the Bulldogs were courageous in defeat but just made too many errors.
"We knew we had to start well and we didn't do that," Ennis said.
"We tried hard the entire match, maybe too hard and we made too many errors."
The Storm's performance had touches of brilliance but mostly it was clinical.
The team completed 32 of 35 sets. As a result the Bulldogs were forced to make more tackles led by captain Ennis, who made 48.
Bulldogs coach Des Hasler, who had taken the team from ninth last year to runners-up in his first year at the club, said Melbourne was too good.
"(They were) too clinical, too polished," Hasler said after the match.
"They had 10 of 11 sets on our try line.
"The try right before half-time was a tough one to have that scored against us. To go in 14-4, Melbourne are a very hard team to run down."
That's all from the 2012 grand final. We hope you have enjoyed the coverage. Melbourne worthy winners at the end of yet another eventful season. See you next year.
9.10pm: Cooper Cronk, Craig Bellamy and Cam Smith have fronted the press. Plenty of praise for the work of Cronk, especially from Bellyache.
He controlled the game tonight, he's had an enormous season. He is the one man who turned our season around after five losses.
8.05pm: At the post-match press conference, Both Dogs captain Michael Ennis and coach Des Hasler refused to answer any questions regarding the allegations of biting levelled at forward James Graham.
Hasler congratulated a Storm side he described as too clinical and too polished.
Full congratulations to Melbourne, they were every clinical tonight. The first half I think they had about 20/21 sets, we had about 9/14. So we know we contributed a fair bit to that.
You can't allow a side like Melbourne, not to mention it's a grand final, that much possession.
They had 10/11 sets on our try line. The try right before half-time was a tough one to have that scored against us. To go in 14-4, Melbourne are a very hard team to run down.
7.34pm: The Storm players now get their premiership medals. Again, why didn't this happen before Smith lifted the trophy? I digress. This Melbourne group is a fantastic collection of players. Bellamy, with his 2012 premiers shirt on, is last up to join his charges. Confetti. Cheering. The whole shebang. A well-deserved victory for Melbourne Storm. Their dynasty can finally be capped without an asterisk.
7.30pm: Cam Smith lifts the 2012 premiership. Then he is invited to say some words. I don't understand why the NRL can't get this right. Let him speak first then lift the trophy. Anyways, with the moment gone, Smith thanks the Storm faithful, coach Craig Bellamy and staff, family and friends and lastly his team-mates. Smith says the Storm had plenty of doubters (obviously when they lost five in a row post Origin) but stuck solid. He also gives a classy, special goodbye to those leaving the club.
7.27pm: Michael Ennis leads his team on to the dais to accept their runner's up medals. The Dogs skipper vows his side will be back again. Ennis told Grandstand moments later, he was proud of his side's performance regardless of the result.
7.25pm: Melbourne Storm half-back Cooper Cronk wins the Clive Churchill Medal. Was there ever any doubt? A fantastic performance by the number seven. Yet again, on the biggest stage, Cronk took the contest by the scruff of the neck. Earlier this year, Cronk re-signed with the Storm for another five years. He has proved himself to be worth every cent. Cronk's kicking in particular was outstanding in both general play and in attacking territory.
7.20pm: Plenty of emotion on the field. You can tell this means a lot to the Melbourne Storm players after what they have been through. Two titles taken away, but this one will live on in history.
7.19pm: Full-back Billy Slater had a brilliant game. The Test number one finished with six tackle breaks, two line breaks, just one error and one try.
It's a pleasure playing with this lot, people see a lot of highlights and people scoring tries, but the work ethic in this group of players and willingness to do things is exceptional.
[Bellamy] he just told us to to be patient [at half-time], to keep doing what we were doing. I made an error in the first set (of the second half), but the boys covered for me. We all bust our arses for each other, it's all worth it, it's all worth it.
7.18pm: Cameron Smith cops a spray from coach Craig Bellamy as he chats to Craig. "He can't kick a goal but he's a good player!"
We had to work hard for that win today, we looked like we were in control for most of the match but that was hard work. All I can say is we have more points on the board than the Bulldogs. I don't think I've been more proud of a football team than this one. We've had to go through some tough times but we've done it.
Smith didn't take Bellamy's comments to heart.
The difference between him and other coaches he puts in so much work for (game) preparation, roles and what we need to expect from the opposition, it's paid off this year.
7.16pm: First try-scorer Ryan Hoffman is an emotional man. He lets it all hang out with Grandstand's Craig Hamilton.
"We brought over our defence, that was our strength ... we had that many tackles, we deserve this. Geez we worked hard. It didn't matter how many sets they have, we defended it."
Graham - 13 (110m)
Kasiano - 8 (70m)
Tolman - 11 (71m)
Norrie - 15 (146m)
Bromwich - 11 (99m)
Lowrie - 13 (95m)
Ennis - 48
Jackson - 36
Eastwood - 33
Smith - 36
Hinchcliffe - 24
Lowrie - 22
Reynolds - 11
Morris - 6
Barba - 4
Slater - 6
Nielsen - 3
Hoffman - 3
80': That's it. The Storm have done it! Melbourne defeats Canterbury 14-4. Not a single point scored in the second half, and that's just the way Melbourne like it. Melbourne was a class above for the entire 80 minutes. Cooper Cronk and Cam Smith directed traffic with ball in hand, and when the Dogs asked questions in the second half they were turned away time and again by the determined Storm defence. There is no substitute for grand final experience and the Storm proved that tonight. Congratulation to Des Hasler and Canterbury for a great season. The minor premiers will be back next season with this experience firmly under their belt.
79': Corey Payne puts in a grubber but Justin O'Neill cleans up. That'll do it. The Storm are 90 seconds away from grand final victory. Their fans know it. Craig Bellamy has ants in his pants and can hardly watch in the coach's box. Relax, Bellyache. It's yours.
78': Not enough time for the Dogs. Waqa breaks up another play. It'll be a Canterbury scrum but something miraculous would have to happen now for the Dogs to score twice.
76': Yet again, another poor kick by Kris Keating on the last. His cross-field chip falls lamely in the arms of Widdop, who jumps uncontested to take an easy grab.
75': Repeat set for Dogs in attacking territory. I'll say it again, somehow they are still in this.
73': Same old story. Dogs have been very poor in attack. Perhaps too tired from a massive, first-half defensive effort. Josh Morris makes a great break, but there are no playmakers on hand the next play to take advantage of a back-wheeling Storm defence. Last tackle and a nothing kick goes dead.
70': Dogs on the charge. They are still in this - somehow. But another attacking opportunity is foiled by a poor cross-field kick by Kris Keating. Dogs halves again letting their side down. Only some Dally M magic can save them now.
69': NO TRY STORM. Billy Slater spectacularly beats Barba in the air from a Widdop bomb and Bryan Norrie is jogging on the spot to score. Unfortunately the front-rower was in front of the kicker and within 10 metres of the Slater-Barba contest. This just in - a parody Twitter account called Billy Slater's Ear has already been created.
68': The Dogs are away on the left. Wright tries to do a Barba kick on the run, but air swings his kick under pressure by Cronk. Great covering work by Cronk. Just give him the medal now.
66': NO TRY BULLDOGS - Storm leads 14-4. Tony Archer has gone upstairs. Barba puts up a rushed cross-field kick and Jonathan Wright clearly knocks it forward before Greg Eastwood grounds it. Poor fifth-play option by the Dogs. Their halves haven't been up to scratch tonight on the big stage.
62': Billy Slater to the rescue. The BB Gun Ben Barba finally fires and makes a brilliant break. Just like he did against the Storm in Mackay he puts it on the boot for Morris. But this time Slater tracks the Dogs centre down and produces an AFL-style spoil over the dead-ball line. Morris is ruled to have knocked it on first. Correct call by Cummins. Refs have done a commendable job tonight.
58': Mistake by the Storm. Richie Fa'aoso (on for Hinchcliffe) coughs it up after a short ball by Bromwich. The Dogs survive but plenty of time has been taken off the clock.
57': Like clockwork. The Storm try to bend the Dogs defensive line but can't get through. Smith dribbles in a nice grubber and Barba runs it dead. Drop out. Let's do it again.
55': Cooper Cronk's kicking is going to win him the Clive Churchill Medal. Another perfect chip puts Barba into a corner. He surrenders and Will Chambers rag dolls him over the sideline. Scrum feed to Storm. This half is being played in the attacking 20s.
54': Smith misses again. He is having a woeful night with the boot, 1/5 so far. Importantly, it goes dead so the Storm will get the ball back. Australian Paralympian Kurt Fearnley says on Twitter:
@kurtfearnley: On the bright side, I think I'm in the running to be Storms kicking coach..... #cantdoanyworse
53': Penalty Storm. Sam Kasiano uses his massive right thigh to shove Justin O'Neill in the play the ball. Michael Ennis is in Tony Archer's ear again. Storm to attempt the two points.
51': Knock on by the Bulldogs. It is actually knocked out of David Stagg's hands by Ryan Hoffman. Stagg was trying to off-load. Not usually his go, but the Dogs are getting desperate.
49': NO TRY BULLDOGS- Storm leads 14-4. Michael Ennis tries to burrow his way over but appears to be held up by his opposing skipper Cam Smith. Video ref Chris Ward agrees and it is a turnover. Melbourne survive five straight sets on their heels.
48': Bulldogs force a fourth straight set. Josh Morris this time puts in a nice grubber on the last tackle and Slater plays it safe and bats it dead. This is a mirror image of the opening exchanges in the first half.
46': Great defence by the Storm. A nicely weighted kick bounces the Dogs' way but Melbourne are alert to the danger and drive Josh Jackson over the sideline. But the referees rule Melbourne knocked on first so it's a Dogs loose and feed.
44': Ben Barba keeps his cool on the fifth, slides in a grubber and forces Slater to concede a line drop out. Repeat set. Dogs starting like the Storm in the first half.
43': Penalty to the Dogs. High tackle on David Stagg. James Graham looks to be on the turf holding his privates. Anyone believe in karma?
42': The door has been opened by Billy Slater. The superstar full-back knocks on from the first kick of the second half. Big set of six here for Canterbury.
41': Raman Goraya back to take you through the second half. Can the Dogs find a way back? They need to find their A-game very fast. The Storm are clinical are shutting games out.
Hoffman - 7'
Slater - 33'
O'Neill - 40'
Listen to the first-half highlights
39': TRY STORM - Listen here. Justin O'Neill flies on to a pinpoint Cronk chip to score on the left side. The timing was frighteningly perfect. Barba had no chance of beating O'Neill to the ball and even less chance of stopping him from scoring. Huge try in the shadows of half-time. Smiths misses. Storm lead 14-4.
38': Cronk's grubber is tidied up by Inu who is smashed on his own line but manages to stay in the field of play. Sam Kasiano attempts an off-load and it is knocked on by Barba. Storm to have the final say before half-time.
36': Another great bomb by Cronk. Barba takes it and is hustled back in goal. BB Gun pops a pass to Wright, but the winger is pushed dead by a wave of purple. Another repeat set for Melbourne.
32': TRY STORM - Listen here. Billy Slater is over. What a ball by Cooper Cronk. Dummied long and popped it short. Reynolds is completely fooled and the Australian full-back slides his way for Melbourne's second try of the match. Smith converts. Storm lead 10-4.
31': Scott Salter eat your heart out! Gareth Widdop has come up with a fantastic try-saving tackle on opposite number Josh Reynolds.
29': Josh Morris loses the ball deep inside his own 10 and the Storm are on the attack again.
26': Billy Slater has accused James Graham of biting his ear! And the video replays back up his allegations. Graham has "Tyson-ed" Slater. Or is it "Evander-ed". Either way, that is not on! Tony Archer puts the Englishman on report. Will be a late start to next season for Graham.
26': TRY BULLDOGS - Listen here. Green light by video ref Chris Ward. For some reason he was reviewing the fight more than the try. Inu misses the conversion but that is as valuable as four points as the Dogs have scored all season after the heavy pressure they've been under. Scores level at 4-4.
TRY BULLDOGS? Michael Ennis goes blind side on the fifth to Inu who puts in a deft grubber which is dived on by Perrett. Then all hell breaks loose. Perrett isn't happy with the late tackle by Slater. David Stagg tries to break it up, but ends up making it worse. Sisa Waqa and Josh Reynolds end up trading the best jabs. Those in the front row have the best seats. We're going upstairs to check it out.
23': Cronk's chip is knocked on by the Dogs and it is zero tackle to the Storm. More pressure. Ryan Hinchcliffe is held up over the line. Smith's grubber is well read by Barba and the Dogs get a much-needed penalty for the Storm being inside the 10. Tackle count reads 109-48 to the Dogs. Remarkable defensive effort by Canterbury, but do they have the petrol to do something with the pill now?
21': Justin O'Neill claims a cross-field bomb by Josh Reynolds in his own in goal. But Widdop loses the ball in the play the ball just past half way. Then Sam Perrett coughs it up on the first play out of the scrum. Dogs their own worst enemies at the moment.
19': Sisa Waqa saves a try. The Dogs were away on the left side with speedster Barba and the Storm winger sticks out his mitt to keep the full-back's pass from finding his outside backs. Canterbury would have scored.
17': Smith hits the post! Point blank range and the Storm skipper misses the easy two. The Dogs come up with the ball. They hardly know what to do with it. Storm still leading 4-0 after having four repeat sets and three penalties deep in attack.
16': Another penalty! High tackle on Cam Smith by Sam Kasiano. Looked like it bounced up off the ball. Storm tip their cap to the Dogs defence and decide to take the two points.
15': Another line drop out. Josh Morris fields it before his line but is driven in goal. Dogs standing up well to this clinical Storm attack.
13': Another penalty. Krisnan Inu pinged this time for lying down in the ruck. "You're falling asleep on him," says referee Ben Cummins.
Storm take the tap again. Surely the Dogs can't hold on here.
12': First penalty against James Graham for holding down Bryan Norrie in the play the ball. Michael Ennis argues and the Storm opt to take the tap.
11': Cronk forces another drop out with a sneaky little grubber behind the line. Barba is forced to carry it dead. Pressure building. Experience counting for the Storm.
10': Next set, Barba puts down a Cronk bomb under no pressure with the next set. Another chance for early points for Melbourne.
7': TRY STORM - Listen here. Ryan Hoffman does his thing running off Gareth Widdop on the left hand side. A predictable Storm play but the Dogs couldn't stop it. Cam Smith misses the conversion. Early territory dominance pays off for Melbourne. Storm lead 4-0.
5': Storm dominating field position early. A Smith bomb goes to ground, the BB Gun runs the length of the field but it is coming back for a knock on against winger Jonathan Wright. Some big early defence by the Dogs too. Inu on Cronk.
2': Dogs give the ball some air on their first set and get to their kick. Winger Sam Perrett almost intercepts it as Melbourne look to get out of the own 20 early. He loses it forward and the Storm pick up the scraps. An early heart flutter for Craig Bellamy.
1': Very good, first set by the Storm. Great dummy half work by Cam Smith. Cooper Cronk finds grass with his first kick which is taken by Dogs full-back Ben Barba, the BB Gun, inside his own 10.
Here we go. Bulldogs to kick off as the last slither of sun hits the top of the Olympic stadium. Let's get it on!
5.21pm: The Voice's Sarah De Bono belts out Advance Australia Fair. She is sporting bright red hair but her blue eye shadow gives away who she is going for tonight.
5.17pm: Here come the teams. Cam Smith leads his team through the Storm's banner - "No ordinary journey. No ordinary team" it reads. Moments later the stadium erupts with blue and white as the Bulldogs take the field.
5.15pm: Sideline eye Richard Svenson points out the Storm have not played at the Olympic stadium since the 2009 grand final. They won that day over Parramatta. Long time between drinks so to speak.
5.12pm: Phil Gould has his final say for Channel Nine underneath the goal posts. He makes a bold claim - "this match could come down to the big moments and which teams wants it most".
5.10pm: Sideline eye Craig Hamilton says it's a "Bulldogs party" inside the Olympic stadium. Could be a big factor when things heat up or in moments of controversy - not that there has been any of that this season...
5.00pm: If you have just joined us, we are running a bit late. Good Charlotte is having too good a time to be dragged off stage just yet. In the meantime, have a listen to Ned Hall's chat with the Bulldogs' English forward James Graham and his journey to the NRL decider.
4.57pm: Daniel Anderson tips the Storm by 4 and Steve Mascord the Dogs by 1 or 2.
4.56pm: Good Charlotte on stage warming up the crowd. Joel Madden in a Dogs jersey and Benji in Rabbitohs gear. Didn't get the memo, obviously.
4.53pm: Have a listen to what coaches Des Hasler and Craig Bellamy have had to say this week leading up to tonight's final. Listen here.
4.51pm: The Bulldogs are unchanged and will take the field 1-17.
4.48pm: The retiring players are set to be farewelled by the growing crowd. The NRL have done this very well today. The crowd are holding up banners with the names of the departing legends, who are actually standing amongst the fans. They climb into their own utes now for a final goodbye lap.
4.42pm: Daniel Anderson (@ABCLeagueCoach) favours the Storm's kicking game over the Dogs', but not by much. Cam Smith's left foot out of dummy half and Cronk's raking right boot can negate Canterbury's superior yardage.
4.39pm: The NRL premiership trophy has arrived via helicopter into the middle of the Olympic stadium. It is accepted by former Melbourne captain Robbie Kearns and Bulldogs legend Steve Mortimer.
4.30pm: The Storm have made one change to their side. Kevin Proctor starts and Sika Manu goes back to the bench. Proctor could be a dark horse for first try-scorer with his ability to run good angles off Cooper Cronk on the Storm's right side.
4.20pm: Former premiership coach with the Bulldogs and Storm, Chris Anderson, says experience will play a big part in tonight's grand final. But he believes the Storm will need to score at least 26 points to beat the Dogs. His tip - Bulldogs by 4. Listen to his interesting chat with Grandstand's Patrick Foulkes.
4.10pm: Daniel Anderson, Debbie Spillane and Steve Mascord are on air now in the build up to the NRL grand final. Listen here. Meanwhile, Shannon Byrne sends up this shot from outside the stadium:
3.54pm: The Tigers have won the under-20s grand final, thrashing the Raiders 46-6. Canberra scored the first try of the game after eight minutes, but it was one-way traffic after that, as the Tigers piled on 46 unanswered points. Matt Mulcahy, Marika Koroibete and Kurtis Rowe all scored doubles, while half-back Jacob Miller had a great game. A fantastic finish to the season by Todd Payton's side. They won seven of their last nine games. The Tigers knocked off minor premiers the Bulldogs in the first week of the finals and then the Roosters before dismantling the third-placed Raiders in the big one. In contrast, Canberra saved its worst for last. The competition's leading try-scoring side failed to fire on the big stage.
"The guys worked really hard all year, a balance between having some fun and working really hard," Payton told Grandstand's David Packwood on the sideline.
"We built our game around our defence - we were the best defensive team all year."
Payton praised the influence of axed Tigers coach Tim Sheens on his career.
"He had a profound influence on me as a player and now as a coach," Payton added.
"He gave me my debut a player as a 17-year-old. I tore my hamstring in 2005 on the Tuesday before the grand final, and he had faith in me to make the right decision by myself, and now he's given me my start as a coach."
Miller earned praise for his efforts with the number seven on his back.
"I'm over the moon, we worked so hard all year. We knew Canberra were going to be a tough side to beat. We knew that we had the form to do this, but to actually do it (win) is something different," he said.
Five-eighth Mulcahy was awarded the Jack Gibson medal for best player in the under-20s grand final.
"To come away with a big win like this, everyone stood up, 1-17 stood up, everyone had a big effort," Mulcahy said.
"I couldn't be happier. (On Jacob Miller) it's great playing with him, he gives me room to move, he deserves the credit (for the win).
Mulcahy said winger Marika Koroibete is one to watch from the Tiger ranks.
"I think we'll hear a lot more about him, I think he'll be going on to greater things really soon."
3.30pm: Afternoon all, Raman Goraya in the hot seat. Not far behind me are the Bulldogs, who have arrived at Homebush and master tactician Des Hasler is already at work in the bowels of the Olympic stadium, scribbling away at the whiteboard. The Storm have also hopped off the bus. Just under two hours until kick-off now.
3.15pm: The Tigers are well on their way to victory in the under-20s. Tim Mulcahy crosses for his side's fourth try of the game and the Tigers lead the Raiders 22-6 with 21 minutes left.
3.05pm: Wests Tigers lead the Raiders 18-6 as the second half of the under-20s grand final gets under way.
2.53pm: ABC Offsiders rugby league panellists Roy Masters and John Stanley debate the outcome of today's grand final and discuss what impact the referees will have on the result.
2.00pm: Next up is the under-20 grand final between the Wests Tigers and Canberra Raiders. Shades of 1989 here, perhaps there is a young Steve Jackson coming through the ranks for the Raiders?
1.50pm: The Jets have prevailed 22-18 over the Tigers in an absolute thriller in the NSW Cup grand final. Hooker Nafe Seluni scored the winning try after darting over from dummy half with eight minutes remaining, sparking wild celebrations among the Bluebags faithful.
12.55pm: Grandstand's Daniel Anderson says grand final week represents a break from the normal NRL routine. Read his thoughts
12.50pm: Half-time in the NSW Cup grand final and Newtown 12 leads Balmain Ryde-Eastwood 10.
12.20pm: For the weather watchers out there the sun is shining brightly after a cool start in Sydney. That's unlikely to have too much impact on the NRL decider with the top grade kicking off at 5.15pm.
12.05pm: Bulldogs fans will note a familiar surname lining up for Newtown. Daniel Mortimer has started as the Jets' half-back. Still only 23, his career has stalled in the NRL at the Roosters after being released by Parramatta in 2011.
12.00pm: Plenty of history in the NSW Cup grand final as the Newtown Jets take on Balmain Ryde-Eastwood in the decider. Listen live
11.00am: Des Hasler has turned the Bulldogs into one of the NRL's most exciting teams using a wealth of unconventional tactics. Rugby league's newest immortal Andrew Johns called Hasler's tactic of using props as playmakers "an act of genius".
10.50am: Will Melbourne's 'Mr Reliable' Billy Slater win the full-back duel with Canterbury's excitement machine Ben Barba? Can Bulldogs tactician Des Hasler become the first coach to win back-to-back premierships with two different teams? Find out what Grandstand's Craig Norenbergs and Shannon Byrne think:
10.25am: Listen live to Grandstand Digital's NRL grand final brunch streaming here.
Check out a comprehensive preview of today's action.
10.00am: Only two teams are left standing following another gruelling NRL campaign. Can Des Hasler's Bulldogs cap a superb season with a grand final win? Or will Craig Bellamy's Storm spoil the party in the biggest game of the year? Stick around for all the action on Grandstand in the build-up to the NRL decider.
Ennis - 38
Graham - 32.5
Tolman 32
Smith – 40
Hinchcliffe – 29
Lowrie - 26
Graham – 127
Tolman – 125.5
Perrett – 123
Barba – 122
Slater – 139
Waqa – 132
Hoffman - 114
Barba – 25
Morris – 22
Reynolds – 10
Slater – 21
Chambers – 15
Widdop - 13
Barba – 6.5
Morris – 3.6
Reynolds – 3.4
Slater – 5
Widdop – 3.3
Hoffman – 2.6
Reynolds – 4
Ennis – 3.5
Halatau – 2.4
Kasiano – 2.3
Widdop – 3
O’Neill – 2.8
Cronk – 2.3
Chambers - 2
Barba – 31
Reynolds – 26
Inu – 23
Pritchard – 23
Slater – 32
O'Neill – 27
Widdop – 20
Cronk - 20
Ennis – 20
Reynolds – 14
Tolman – 13
Manu – 11
Slater – 11
Lowrie - 10
Points the Bulldogs have conceded in the second half of their last three matches
Games Storm have lost in the last two seasons (28 games) after leading at half-time
Matches played between Dogs and Storm at Olympic stadium. Storm has won all three.
Occasions Des Hasler has defeated Craig Bellamy as coach. More than any other coach.
Storm tries this season from 10 metres or closer - most in the NRL.
Bulldogs tries this season from within their own half - most in the NRL.
Tags: sport,
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vic First posted September 30, 2012 10:05:52
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