Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks – Sunday night (7.15pm AEDT) – ANZ Stadium
The Melbourne Storm
What a team they have been, and what a team they are. I was taken with something on the weekend. While watching the AFL preliminary final between the GWS Giants and the Western Bulldogs it was obvious to everyone who had the most crowd support. There were 21000 at that game, and 11000 of them flew in from Melbourne to support the away team. The home team were booed when they came out for their warm-up. It was a peculiar thing to watch. On the same weekend 28000 people were at AAMI Park for the Storm/Raiders preliminary, and while the Raiders had a fantastic group of travelling supporters, 25000 of the people in that crowd were decked out in purple. Granted the Storm have been around a while longer than the Giants, but it's clear to me that the city of Melbourne have embraced the Storm as their team in that game they don't really understand. Bellamy, Smith, Cronk and Slater can't walk down to the shop to get a sausage roll without hearing a chorus of 'Go Storm'. The Storm workforce may be all FIFO workers, but Melbourne has accepted them as a part of the flock. Meanwhile the Giants are not seen as a team representing their region but as colonial representatives of the AFL. Perhaps that will change in time...but I have my doubts. There's not a chance in hell the AFL would punish the Giants like the NRL did to the Storm following the salary cap saga. Amazingly, the Storm have come through all that and are as resilient as ever. Their supporters are more fervent than ever. In a strange way, that salary cap scandal may have been a positive for the purple machine. What a team they are.
The Cronulla Sharks
50 years and not a premiership to show for it, most of the experts have them pencilled in as the winner on Sunday night. Here's another team that have battled their fare share of controversy. Several times in the history of this game those in charge have wanted to kill off the club altogether, or at least relocate them. Two years ago the club were penalised over their illegal supplements program, and here they are in a grand final. Like the Storm, the Sharks and their supporters are as resilient as ever. To think the Essendon Bombers have the wooden spoon in 2016, and the Sharks could have a premiership. Love them or loathe them, their success this season has been an extraordinary achievement.
The verdict
The team that wins the grand final will do so by defeating every other team that finished in the top four this season. Whoever lifts the trophy on Sunday night has got there by beating the best of the best.
On face value it looks like the Sharks have all the momentum leading into this grand final. That was a dominating performance over the Cowboys, but there are a few question marks about the win for mine. Many of us feared the Cowboys would struggle to perform after their extra time victory over the Broncos, and struggle they did. In the early period their completion rate was 2 from 10. Nothing went right and the Sharks could smell blood in the water. They ran riot and the home crowd pushed them on. What I wonder is how much of that poor performance was a result of pressure from the Sharks, and how much of it was a result of the Cowboys previous game? The answer is probably a little bit from column A and a little bit from column B, but how much from each column? I just don't know. The Sharks were great, but I suspect every other top eight side (except the Broncos) would have done much the same thing to the Cowboys last weekend.
As for the Storm, I'm not the only person that thinks they were lucky to win that game over the Raiders. Note that both grand finalists played the Raiders during the finals and both teams defeated the Raiders by two points. Of course, the Sharks beat the Raiders away from home and with players unavailable, so on that form line alone you'd be leaning their way. Lucky or not, the Storm have an uncanny ability to win close games. They execute a game plan better than anyone else and the wins follow. Their senior players have plenty of big game experience to draw upon, and it's usually winning experience. Paul Gallen has plenty of experience in big games too, but in almost every big game he's played he's lost. The round 26 clash between these sides was a fairly big game too. The minor premiership was on the line, and the Storm won 26-6. The game was closer than that, but the Storm won 26-6. Obviously the grand final isn't at AAMI Park, and the Storm haven't actually played a game at ANZ Stadium all season, but when they do play there they win 71% of the time. The Sharks have only played their twice this season for a narrow win over the Bulldogs and a loss to the Rabbitohs. Their win rate at ANZ is a paltry 32%. Not a lot of happy memories for the Sharks at Homebush. Sharks coach Shane Flanagan is in his first grand final. It seems like Bellamy has been doing this forever. Experience matters. It's hard to measure what's it worth, but it's worth something. I think it's worth plenty.
Prince died in April this year. Love live Prince. Purple Reign...Purple Reign...
Scoreline – Storm 19 : Sharks 18
First try scorer - Kevin Proctor
Clive Churchill medallist - Cooper Cronk
Result - Sharks 14 defeated Storm 12
Wally Lewis - Grand Final (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
- Storm vs SHARKS
Comments
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I really don't like the Sharks and what they stand for.
In my opinion, the riots back in 2005, people of a different culture using the beach that somewhere they have papers to say they own still sticks in my craw. The Shire with the un-Australian white supremist culture. Who the hell wants people of this area to be celebrating ? I'd much rather they be sucking eggs.
Submitted by nola on
please take me of notification list
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Taumololo - a dozen eggs to celebrate ?
Submitted by Steel Panther on
Fortress....don't get me wrong...I'm not a Matt Checcin fan either but Edrick Lee catching a regulation pass with the line wide open wins the game for the Raiders. Canberra's loss was nothing to do with poor refereeing.....they choked.
Submitted by a on
Matt Checcin sucks
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
WOW, how many lengths would Corey Norman won the dally M by if he was allowed to play the last 8 games of the season. It's a bit like 2 years ago, Peats was injured for most of the season and he still was in the top 5 tackles made for the season at Parra. We have some good young BOYS lets see them get up next year.
Submitted by a on
Here is my score and predictions
Strom 12 tires Kevin Proctor Marika Koroibete goals Cameron Smith 2/3 Sharks 10 tires Valentine Holmes Sosaia Feki goals James Maloney 1/2
Clive Churchill medallist Cameron Smith
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cuZvv4s9_4 SHARKIES !!! ;-D
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoXG0KRBt40 SHARKIES !!! ;-D
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo1x-nc9Yow SHARKIES !!! ;-D
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z2qFTbyyOQ SHARKIES !! ... oh, hang on. No, wait. That's the wrong one. You know what ? Forget it ... ;-D
Submitted by mark ashford on
Hi Johnny Ray
A belated welcome back to this site. Sincerely hope you'll be with us next year.
Coach's comments seem to indicate Storm but he hasn't declared himself yet.
He claims NSW people won't support a club they have a rivalry with, but I sincerely doubt that. Just look at Fortress's comments.
So come on you NSW posters do you support the dreaded Storm or the Sharks. Declare yourselves and prove Coach wrong.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Just on where finals should be played, take a look at the AFL
Swans finished on top of the ladder.
Western bulldogs finished far below.
Swans kept winning and so did the Dogs.
Now a grand final in Melbourne, which will no doubt favour the Dogs.
Is this fair? Swans were the better team all year.
Surely now our competitions are National, should any state "own" the grand final?
Coach will talk about ground capacity etc, but what is fair to the fans.
Submitted by christine on
I go for QLD in origin but for this grand final I take sharks , it's not state versus state it's a grand final take & support what ever team you want .
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Canberra don't win if Edrick Lee catches the pass. Only looking at the points is flawed. If he'd scored there would have been a kick off back at half way instead of the handover. Possession and the area of the field in play would have all changed completely and there's just no way you could say the Raiders score again. I don't think it mattered. If they score the first, they probably don't get to score the other.
Submitted by Tailspin on
Hey everyone, it's gong to be Storm for me by 8, Sharks are full of grubs, and yes coach its because they are full of Queenslanders, ye ha. And also that they are better finals players. Best of luck everyone, I'm just dirty that the season is nearly over. Cowboys next year a........
Submitted by fortresseagle on
So tailspin the storm arnt fiull of grubs mate turn it up .
The biggest grub is matt checcin.
Off to the gym to pump some iron a very good evening to all you footy lovers .
The fortress eagle home of the golden sands of manly beach!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Corey Norman.
The Agony And The Ecstasy.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
The Buffalo Bills.
4 consecutive SuperBowl appearances. 1991 1992 1993 1994.
All 4 would forecast that destiny awaited.
Each time the sentiment would be stronger than the last.
It's been 22 years now since the last of those 4 SuperBowls.
In that time the Bills have made a handful of wildcard games (kind of like a playoff to get into the playoffs), but no further.
The Cronulla Sharks.
3 Grand Finals , 1973, 1978, and 1997.
Now 2016.
All 4 have forecast that destiny awaited.
Each time the sentiment stronger than the last.
The Buffalo Bills formed very much around the same time as the Cronulla Sharks, and 50 years on destiny still awaits them both.
Cronulla fail this test and Destiny ain't makin' no more bloody predictions.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Oh what the Panthers would give to have a player in the top 50 Dally M standings. Wouldn't that be such an achievement.
Shame that Moylan p!paying 5/8 turning the Maroons inside out in game III wasn't worth any points on the best player scale.
Submitted by St.George Illawarra Dragonsfan4ever on
Hello everyone, my tip for the big dance is:
The Sharkies by 4- The Sharkies to finally bag their first premiership win here. I know that the Storm are a very classy football team and are very experience in grand finals but I think that the desperation of a grand final win for the Sharks will get them over the line. This is the Sharks big chance to do it after all. So, the Sharks fans will be cheering loud and proud on Sunday night with the Sharks holding the trophy.
Clive Churchill Medallist: Michael Ennis.
Awesome. That's done. Thanks to everyone for this season. It was awesome chatting along mostly about footy on this site this season. I will definitely be back next season and I hope to be in the tipping comp Thinker hope you look at this lol. Cheers and let's hope that the Sharks bring it home UP UP CRONULLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Hi everyone,
Here we are, last game of the year. After Sunday, will we all migrate over to NFL or EPL or will we hibernate in readiness for next year? Personally speaking, Newbie will start getting into the EPL so he can glow in the upcoming glory that’s ahead for the Mighty Gooners! For those of you who don’t know, that would be the team aka Arsenal. Anyway, I’m not here to rabbit on about soccer so I’d better give you the winner for Sunday eh?
Melbourne play the Sharks and Newbie will keep it short’n’sweet this week. No form study. No tipsters opinions. No bookies picks or favourites. No nothing.
Storm will win this simply because I don’t want to witness Cry Baby Gallen lifting that trophy. Can’t think of anything worse than suffering through my hangover from Saturday’s AFL Grand Final and seeing that. Man, just don’t like the guy. Why? Dunno, there’s something about his head that makes me wanna go to anger management classes. That plus the fact he’s a cry baby and acts like he’s about 12 years old sometimes. Just my opinion mind you. He’s a good player I’ll give him that but he’s past his use-by-date for sure. OK, that’s my football genius laid out for all to see. Looking forward to the game regardless. Really hoping it’s a cracker and there’s only a few points in it at the end.
Anyone know what the pre-game entertainment is going to be? It’s gotta be better than what the AFL is gonna serve up. Always cringe when I find out what the AFL’s offering. They have a happy knack of providing absolute rubbish and old has-been hacks from the “everyone’s forgotten me” barrel. Gee I’m doing a lot of bitchin’ tonight aren’t I? Reckon that’s my cue to “exit, stage left!” Hey, didn’t that come from Lippy the Lion and Hardy Ha-Ha? Showing my age as well. Dudes, gotta go. Have to make a batch of Newbie’s world famous Homemade Baileys for Saturday. Cheers.
OK kids, good luck if your team’s playing Sunday and if they are, may they win by 40 points!
P.S. If you lick the air, does it get wet? Hmmm…
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Newbie how about mentioning the Roosters playing at 1:35pm AEST.
Or should I say...
Perth Grand Final Day Times
Holden Cup - Panthers v Roosters 11:35am
State Championship - Illawarra Cutters v Burleigh Bears 1:40pm
Grand Final - Storm v Sharks 5:15pm
So jealous of WA time.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
What?? The games over?? I missed it ??
I knew wiki knew lots but I didn't know they already knew the score.
Scroll about halfway down to table of recent Premiership Winners and see who has won this year and the final score !?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Rugby_League
Submitted by The Thinker on
I have this uneasy feeling that Andrew Fifita is going to do something incredibly stupid in this game.
Ugly stupid.
I hope I'm wrong.
Submitted by Tailspin on
I reckon you would be right Thinker, now that's a kid in a mans body, not too smart that one, but can lift heavy things :)
Submitted by a on
Some one has edited the page but I hope it's correct
Submitted by newbie from perth on
@ Coach
Q: is the Holden Cup the reserve grade or U20s or what exactly? Newbie’s not sure (obviously) so any light you can shine my way would be appreciated. Regardless, best of luck to your Panthers my friend. Two great teams battling it out for glory. Assuming GEM are televising the two lead up games, Newbie will plonk himself down on the lounge and ‘settle in” with hangover in tow. Yeah brother, WA times come in handy sometimes. Not always but definitely with the footy. Happy Days!
Went to that Wikipedia page and holy crap! 26-16 eh? Do you think it’s an omen? As our good friend “a” has suggested, reckon someone’s jumped on for a giggle and edited in the score. Time will tell if the score and result turn out to be a cosmic mind-bender. Cheers.
Submitted by Steve Kerle on
Melbourne Storm by 1 point (Cooper Cronk field goal to win the match).
Submitted by Coach Potato on
# Yes Newbie, so if Foran saw Wiki and told Sandow, Sandow told Wolfman, Wolfman told Joey, Joey told Hayson and they all decided to have $5 on the 26-16 result and they won, would they be in trouble for the Wiki-leak? Surely 17 players each side and 3 referees would be part the investigation too. I'd throw the two ball boys in too.
Just in case wiki is right though, who out there has the guts not to put $5 on 26-16? Happy to let it pass, but then kick the hell out of themselves if it gets up.
#Holden Cup is U/20s and the metamorphasis of the old U/23s.
In those terms, then yes it's 3rd grade.
When players get dropped, it'd to NSW/QLD cup so that does fit with being reserve grade.
Only thing is, 85% of recruits come into a team via U20s not NSW/QLD cup so difficult to keep digesting that it's the real Reserve Grade.
Interesting to know that had Cleary played in the Grand Final, he would still be the youngest in the team by 8 months - apart from his replacement Halfback, Dean Blore who played SG Ball this year - U18s. Two halfbacks the youngest player in both Holden Cup and First Grade. The theory that if you are good enough, you are old enough. Certainly bold strategy and not coming from backward thinking old cronies.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Thinker,
Andrew Fifita to play the role of HammerHead.
Cameron Smith to play SharkBait.
There's been enough in the news about Fifita to use as bait of the highest quality,.... Guaranteed To Strike.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Fifita has shown us umpteen examples of someone who is not just mentally unstable and unwell, but at the same time mentally weak.
When they say Grand Finals are 90% mental, it's not very hard to imagine how someone who is usually "90% not there" goes.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Think about this...Fiffita, Gallen and Ennis to penalise Sharks out the back door!
Submitted by mark ashford on
Sorry left out Maloney he's another one.
Submitted by Anonymous on
you have all got it wrong 2 sydney titles the sharks and the swans good luck everyone if your team is in the grand final haver a great long weekend.
the mighty sea eagles to be be back bigger, stonger ,meaner ,go the mighty sea eagles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by fortresseagle on
sorru didnt log in but the sharks and the swans to bring sydney 2n titles go you good things.
have a great long weekend everyone>
and go the mighty sea eagles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by newbie from perth on
@ Coach
Cheers for the explanation on the Holden Cup. Now there’s a little more knowledge in this brain of mine. Thought about the $5 on the 26-16 but I only have the one betting account (TABtouch over here) and they don’t provide the option of picking your own score. Anyway, while I was looking, came across their prices for the Holden Cup. Your Panthers are at $1.20 and my Roosters are at $4.50. That should say something to any sane person shouldn’t it? Well sometimes Newbie ain’t so sane. You know where I’m heading with this don’t you Coach. Yeah, that’s right, Newbie just whacked a Lobster ($20) on the young Roosters to cause an upset. “Show Me The Money!” Might have a case of “buyers remorse” happening here. All of a sudden I’m thinking maybe not such a good move. Hey, if it comes off I’ll take it!
On your comments regarding young guys playing top tier, I’ve always been a fan of playing young blokes if they’re good enough. It happened in the old days and as far as I’m aware, it was never detrimental to their careers. A guy who played in our U17s side (Fremantle Roosters) back in the day usually played 3 games on the Saturday (all games used to be on Saturdays back then). He would play U17s and have a rest while the 19s played. Then he’d play third grade and have a rest while the second grade played. Then he’d play a full game of first grade! Dicko was a freakin’ champion and tough as nails. I could be wrong but if my memory serves me correctly, he also played in the WA State side when he was 18 but not 100% sure on that. I’d have to check with the bro’ on that.
There’s also other examples with other codes that bear out the fact that some guys are just plain good enough to mix it with the big boys. I remember a young bloke making his league debut for South Fremantle (local Aussie Rules side over here) when he was 15 ½ years old. His name was Stan Magro. Anyone on here recognise the name? He ended up going to play VFL for Collingwood. Playing against grown up men certainly made him tougher. If you’re good enough, you should be able to play regardless of how old you are. If you’re physically and mentally tough enough to handle it then let the kids get at it!
OK, thanks again for the clarification Coach, appreciate it. Take care everyone and enjoy Sunday. Hopefully the Greatest Game in The World will live up to its reputation! Cheers.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
No doubt Newbie, simple folk will automatically now start thinking that 18 is now old enough for first grade. I don't actually think it's as easy as that. I hope people don't forget the bit about being good enough. A combination of the two is as rare as the ratio of diamonds to rocks. Was Kaylyn Ponga, the only other 18 year old to play this year, ready to play week in week out? I severely doubt it. First game he stepped around a couple of players in broken play and almost scored. Otherwise in two games he didn't beat a player one on one. Physically he doesn't have the build yet. Good enough to run rings around U20s doesn't always mean good enough for first grade.
Lends weight to Holden Cup players progressing to NSW / QLD cup just like the old Reserve Grade. From there I say if would be far easier to see if Holden Cup players were ready.
Cleary is the rarest of finds.
Forget about the 70 points scored here against the Warriors, you seen one Holden Cup try, you seen em all.
The similarity with first grade is the goal kicking. They don't get bigger posts to aim at. They don't get to convert from in front each time.
Scroll through to 2:45 and just watch the last minute.
This was just two weeks before making his first grade debut. Enjoy.
http://www.penrithpanthers.com.au/news/2016/05/16/nyc_highlights_round.html
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Cartwright to roam again as a toward
The Nathan Cleary / Te Maire Martin halves pairing is borne.
Next season's jerseys to be made of silk.
http://nrlfeeds.com/article/cartwright-to-return-to-the-back-row-for-pan...
Submitted by Coach Potato on
*forward even
Submitted by nola on
footy chic wally where are your tips
Submitted by christine on
Mark o'neil resigned yesterday from being west tigers football manager for an indiscretion with a femail worker according to the telegraph ...
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Good afternoon Tippers.
Well, its that time again!
Yes NRL Grand Final and then Bathurst 1000 (V8's) next week.
Heaps in town gearing up in readiness for The Big Race.
Hoping also for The Swans this arvo in AFL.
But mine for this year in NRL - Melb Storm.
There you have it Thinker.
As much as my heart would love to see Sharkies get their maiden title, I feel Storm have that big time match experience to take the crown.
Craig Bellamy being a local from our area, is cagey and cluey.
Yes, that makes him a NSW Boy!
Don't forget he was Wayne Bennett's understudy in Brisbane for a couple of seasons there and went to cut his teeth in Melbourne. Enough said you reckon.
Its been a great year at this site. Many friendships made that will hopefully continue next season. Thanks Thinker and Coach for the enormous amount of time that went into keeping this site running.
It wouldn't be if it wasn't for the posters/bloggers that also contribute daily and weekly.
For the new ones that came in later in the season, knuckle down and let Thinker know of your intending wishes to join 2017, so he can expand the Main Card for tippers and not be left waiting and wondering.
Thanks to my feathered friends from Manly - Fortress, I am still about and contactable. We'll be better for the run we had this year. Even the Melbourne Cup. Cliffy Lyons the new Chair of Board I read.
Mark A - thanks for joining the friendship parade. No matter what State we live - friendship is a state of its own.
In all - you all enjoy your off-season and do what ever you do to keep your interests going. I'll have EPL already in progress and A-League about to start and the Big Bash Cricket, to channel my interests to. Plus a heap of wet grass to cut in my yard. Heading to Kingswood for a 50th next month Coach - might see you about mate.
Cheers and keep well. Yes, Christine u r in my/our prayers and keep fighting it.
Big Pete in Bx
Submitted by a on
Will you do a page for Four Nations Thinker
Submitted by mark ashford on
BigPete mate. You are a very balanced contributor to this site and I thank you for it.
One game to go and it's all over for 2016.
Who will emerge as favourites next year?
Coach assures us it will be his Panthers and may be right.
Eels will be there as well as Manly and Roosters.
Broncs, Cows and Titans may well figure as well as the other teams.
Best thing is we don't know but will support our teams no matter what.
Good luck to both the Storm and Sharks tomorrow.
Maybe the Western Bulldogs today breaking a 50 or 60 years draught will be the rule for this years grand finals?
Submitted by mark ashford on
I won't be on this site tomorrow, going to my brothers to watch the game.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Great win Western Bulldogs.
Lots of disappointed Swans but none of them saying that the game should have been in Sydney.
They all know where the Grand Final is played.
Would no doubt feel like a lesser achievement to win it on home soil.
They are happy to aim for the MCG again next year, just like all 18 teams will be.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Congratulations Footy Chick.
Thinker's Champion Tipster 2016.
Submitted by christine on
Mark to add to your team list of teams that will do well next year can I add raiders to the list & I will say bye to you now mark & I look forward to conversing with you again next season seeing you won't be on this site tomorrow for me to say it to you & I hope you enjoy the game but I do want sharks to win this one anyway catch you again next season ...
Submitted by a on
I can't wait to see you next season Mark
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