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
Oh The Waits Of Expectation.
Since Cronulla joined in 1967, here is the history of teams who made the Grand Final, desperate for their fans' wait to be over. I'll make the wait definition a decade or more. I guess most of you support one team, possibly a second. Hoping this gives you an appreciation of what various teams fans have gone through at this time of year.
I've also burnt midnight candles doing this. Hope you appreciate that.
1967. Canterbury - a 25 year drought.
Souths (2) beat Canterbury (3) and the drought continues.
1968. Manly - 21 years - no Premiership.
Souths (1) beat Manly (2) and the drought continues.
1969. Balmain. a 22 year drought.
Balmain (2) beat Souths (1) to end the drought.
1970.Manly - 23 years - no Premiership.
Souths (1) beat Manly (2) and the drought continues.
1972. Manly - 25 years - no Premiership & Easts- 27 year drought.
Manly (1) beat Easts (2). Manly break through in their 26th season, Easts drought continues.
1974.Easts 29 year drought. Canterbury , a 32 year drought.
Easts (1) beat Canterbury (3). Easts drought ends. Canterbury's drought continues.
1976. Parramatta. 29 years - no Premiership.
Manly (1) beat Parramatta (2) and the drought continues.
1977.Parramatta 30 years - no Premiership.
The Grand Final is drawn and the wait becomes 30years, 1 week.
In the replay, St George (2) beat Parramatta (1) and the drought continues.
1978. Cronulla. 11 years - no Premiership.
The Grand Final is drawn and the wait becomes 11 years, 1 week.
In the replay, Manly (3) beat Cronulla (2) and the drought continues.
1979. Canterbury. a 37 year drought.
St George (1) beat Canterbury (5) and the drought continues.
1980. Canterbury. a 38 year drought.
Canterbury (2) beat Easts (1) to end the drought.
1981. Parramatta - 34 years no Premiership & Newtown a 38 year drought.
Parramatta (3) beat Newtown (2). Parramatta break through in their 35th season. Newtown's continues.
1988. Balmain. a 21 year drought.
Canterbury (2) beat Balmain (5) and the drought continues.
1989. Balmain. a 22 year drought.
Canberra (4) beat Balmain (3) and the drought continues.
1990. Penrith. 23 years no Premiership.
Canberra (1) beat Penrith (3) and the drought continues.
1991. Penrith. 24 years no Premiership.
Penrith (1) beat Canberra (4) to break through in their 25th season.
1992. St George. a 13 year drought.
Brisbane (1) beat St George (2) and the drought continues.
1993. St George. a 14 year drought.
Brisbane (5) beat St George (2) and the drought continues.
1996. St George. a 17 year drought.
Manly (1) beat St George (7) and the drought continues.
1997. Cronulla - 30 years no Premiership.
Brisbane (1) beat Cronulla (2) and the drought continues.
1999. Dragons - a 20 year drought.
Melbourne (3) beat Dragons (6) and the drought continues.
2000. Roosters - a 25 year drought.
Brisbane (1) beat Roosters (2) and the drought continues.
2001. Parramatta - a 15 year drought.
Newcastle (3) beat Parramatta (1) and the drought continues.
2002. Easts - a 27 year drought.
Easts (4) beat Warriors (1) to end the drought.
2003. Penrith. a 12 year drought.
Penrith (1) beat Easts (2) to end the drought.
2005 Wests Tigers. Balmain 36 year drought / Wests 53 year drought& North Queensland 10 years no Premiership.
West Tigers (4) beat North Queensland (5) to end the Balmain/Wests drought. North Queensland drought continues.
2007. Manly. an 11 year drought.
Melbourne (1) beat Manly (2) and the drought continues.
Melbourne have the title stripped but is not awarded to Manly.
2008. Manly. a 12 year drought.
Manly (2) beat Melbourne (1) to end the drought.
2009. Parramatta. a 23 year drought.
Melbourne (4) beat Parramatta (8) and the drought continues.
Melbourne have the title stripped but is not awarded to Parramatta.
2010. St George/Illawarra. St George a 31 year drought/ Illawarra 28 years no Premiership.
St George-Illawarra (1) beat Easts (6) to end the St George / Illawarra droughts.
2011. Auckland Warriors. 16 years no Premiership.
Manly (2) beat Auckland Warriors (6) and the drought continues.
2013. Easts. an 11 year drought.
Easts (1) beat Manly (4) to end the drought.
2014. Souths. a 43 year drought & Canterbury a 10 year drought.
Souths (3) beat Canterbury (7). Souths drought ends. Canterbury's continues.
2015. North Queensland. 20 years no Premiership.
North Queensland (3) beat Brisbane (2) to break through in their 21st season.
2016. Cronulla. 49 years no Premiership.
Submitted by christine on
I'll say bye to everyone now old & new on this site including Thinker & TLH it's been a great season & I enjoy visiting this website each week , I won't be on the tipping ladder next season but I will do the same as I did this season & put my tips in as requested by coach & rick, enjoy the game everyone & I want to say thanks to rabs it's been great you will be missed ...
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Hi Thinker, I realise daylight saving time is confusing but the time you have indicated is only correct for Qld residents.
One suggestion to always get it right wherever you are in the world is to try and get a countdown timer on the page.
For the benefit of all including non-Qlders please note these times.
If you live in a country not mentioned, know that official kick-off time is 7:15pm. Work out your clock accordingly.
NSW, Victoria, ACT, Tasmania
--------------------------------------
Holden Cup - 1:35pm
State Championship - 3:40pm
Grand Final - 7:15pm
Qld
-----
Holden Cup - 12:35pm
State Championship - 2:40pm
Grand Final - 6:15pm
SA
----
Holden Cup - 1:05pm
State Championship - 3:10pm
Grand Final - 6:45pm
WA
-----
Holden Cup - 10:35am
State Championship - 12:40pm
Grand Final - 4:15pm
NZ
----
Holden Cup - 3:35pm
State Championship - 5:40pm
Grand Final - 9:15pm
Fiji
-----
Holden Cup - 2:35pm
State Championship - 4:40pm
Grand Final - 8:15pm
UK
----
Holden Cup - 3:35am
State Championship - 5:40am
Grand Final - 9:15am
Timbuktu
-------------
Holden Cup - 2:35am
State Championship - 4:40am
Grand Final - 8:15am
**Hey Newbie, Q: With all the crazy place names there are in Australia, why is there no Woop Woop?
Submitted by The Thinker on
Thanks Coach....happy Grand Final day.
My kick-off time was taken from the NRL website, but it looks like their website is clever enough to know where I am (and adjust the kick-off time accordingly). That's really rather smart.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Include the link for people to click, that would be the smarter.
Happy GF.
Hoping my Panthers have Chicken for lunch.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
No Sterlo + Cleary wasn't the youngest to play in the NRL this year, but was the best 18 year old. Youngest was Kalyn Ponga but he only got thrown in because Cowboys were desperate for troops. With a fully fit Cowboys team, who knows when he would get picked again.
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
I would like to see Ponga get a another run in a complete side rather than just a also ran. He seemed to have a better understanding than some of the young wingers/centers coming throught the ranks where talent over comes some short comings. (Bevan French's edge defence comes to mind). But like you said, will he break through or just be a last resort?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
F-me dead , Bunker and Luke Patton, what a horrible decision.
Fair try for all money.
Surely you can't get a job in the Bunker if you spent years on the field copping head knocks. Obviously you can.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Dean Blore. Holden Cup #7.
17 year old against all 19 year olds and still top good.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Too good even
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Surely when the Panthers put in their Captains challenge, they need to provide a case as to why they thought it wasn't a try.
It's not good enough that you can just frivolously say, I want everything checked.
If you don't have any grounds, you shouldn't be allowed to challenge. If you do have a case, the Bunker only checks that issue. Eg knock on, obstruction, sideline, grounding. Once that is cleared , it's a try. The Bunker can't sit there and review the whole play. It's the bloody Captain making the challenge, not the Bunker asking it to be challenged.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I just got a chicken bone stuck in my throat.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Anyone know the heimlich manoeuvre ?
Submitted by a on
What a good comeback by the Roosters
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Ok thats it.
I'm off to quickly put on he omen double of the day
Burleigh into Sharks.
How could you lose?
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Re: Holden Cup
OMG! I am speechless. I am without speech! What the hell just happened? To say I’m absolutely ecstatic would be an understatement. This has just made my hangover a whole lot better. Well done fellas!
To the Coach – commiserations my friend. Your boys did you proud all year and just a shame for you that it ended the way it did. Sorry mate but my words are probably meaningless for you at the moment. Chin up and stay loyal. Your day will come.
Submitted by newbie from perth on
@ Coach
Apparently there was at one time a place called Woop Woop. Well actually it wasn’t actually a town but a timber mill just outside of Wilga, near Boyup Brook in the South West. You can read about it here if you’re so inclined.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/31777775/welcome-to-woop-woop/#page1
OK, must go and make myself a brew and watch the State Championship game. Cheers.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
3 hours in the middle of the night to put the stats of the last 50 years of droughts together. Why did I not know that noone would give a crap?
Definitely using my sleep time better next time.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Geez I'm an idiot.
Burleigh into Sharks leads to this...
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=shark+on+hoist&client=tablet-android-...
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Bunker, Are you giving people a chance in each game to say You Suck?
So far so good.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Qld Cup you are a disgrace.
Zero offloads, zero attempts at anything resembling creative play, zero points.
Almost 20 minutes to go, and about to break 50.
Repeat first sentence.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Ahh instantly has an effect.
Should have called Qld a disgrace 40 points ago.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Dally M winners who have played Grand Final same year.
1982 Ray Price - Grand Final winner
1984 Mick Potter - Grand Final winner
1986 Peter Sterling - Grand Final winner
2005 Johnathon Thurston - Grand Final loser
2006 Cameron Smith - Grand Final loser
2008 Matt Orford - Grand Final winner
2009 Jarryd Hayne - Grand Final loser
2010 Todd Carney - Grand Final loser
2012 Ben Barba - Grand Final loser
2015 Johnathon Thurston - Grand Final winner
2016 Cooper Cronk -
5 winners , 5 losers.
Sorry this stat doesn't conclude very much.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Qld contributors are't supporting a non-Qld Grand Final too well are they?
I think my suspicions have been confirmed.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Paul the Octopus was so good last year, but where is he now?
http://m.thechronicle.com.au/news/prediction-grand-final-will-be-close/2...
Submitted by The Thinker on
Support for the Sharks is relentless. Relentless.
Why do I think they're wrong?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Sydney teams v non Sydney teams in a GF
1987 Manly v Canberra - winner Sydney
1989 Canberra v Balmain - winner Non-Sydney
1990 Canberra v Penrith - winner Non-Sydney
1991 Penrith v Canberra - winner Sydney
1992 Brisbane v St George - winner Non-Sydney
1993 Brisbane v St George - winner Non-Sydney
1994 Canberra v Canterbury - winner Non-Sydney
1997 ARL Newcastle v Manly - winner Non-Sydney
1997 S/L Brisbane v Cronulla - winner Non-Sydney
1998 Brisbane v Canterbury - winner Non-Sydney
1999 Melbourne v St George - winner Non-Sydney
2000 Brisbane v Easts - winner Non-Sydney
2001 Newcastle v Parramatta - winner Non-Sydney
2002 Easts v Auckland - winner Sydney
2005 Wests Tigers v Nth Qld - winner Sydney
2007 Melbourne v Manly - winner Non-Sydney (the game anyway)
2008 Manly v Melbourne - winner Sydney
2009 Melbourne v Parramatta - winner Non-Sydney (the game anyway)
2011 Easts v NZ Warriors - winner Sydney
2012 Melbourne v Canterbury - winner Non-Sydney
2016 Melbourne v Cronulla
14 times to the Non-Sydney team
6 times to the Sydney team
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Alcohol, other Drugs, and Testosterone, Thinker.
A toxic cocktail.
Submitted by The Thinker on
I wouldn't mind a drink....I'll wait for full time and I'll raise a glass to the purple machine.
Excellent stats there re: Sydney teams vs non-Sydney teams.
And the Phil Gould introduction tonight was fantastic. Well done Phil.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Current drought table
1. Cronulla - 49 years no Premiership, lose and it's a 50 year drought.
2. Parramatta - 30 year drought
3. Various incarnations of Gold Coast - they didn't play each year but it started 29 years ago. That's counts for fans as a 29 year drought.
4. Canberra - 22 year drought
4. Warriors - 22 years no Premiership
6. Newcastle - 15 year drought
7. Penrith - 13 year drought
8. Canterbury - 12 year drought
-----------------------------------------
9. Wests Tigers - 11 year drought
10. Brisbane - 10 year drought
11. St George Illawarra - 6 year drought
12. Manly - 5 year drought
13. Melbourne - last win was 4 years ago
14. Easts - 3 year drought
15. Souths - 2 year drought
16. North Queensland - 1 year drought
The top 8 you don't want to be part of.
The only way out is to win a Premiership.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
The musicians recruited for Grand Final day have followed a rich tradition of being washed up, can't get a gig specialists.
What does that say about Keith Urban and Jessica Mauboy?
Did NRL get some crazy idea this year not to follow the rules?
Not follow the rules? Not the NRL surely?
Submitted by The Thinker on
The cosmetic surgeon that worked on Richie Sambora should be sent to the judiciary - grade three reckless at least.
Submitted by a on
Go Storm
Submitted by Coach Potato on
715 you told us NRL.
Cut the BS and get it on.
Submitted by GaryChesterUK on
Hi guys, this weeks easy.
Storm by 12...
Good luck
Submitted by The Thinker on
I doubt I've ever hated a result more.
Sigh!!!
Submitted by The Thinker on
The Storm made 125 more tackles tonight - they missed 25.
The Sharks missed 39.
Submitted by The Thinker on
I know some of you don't like Cameron Smith - but 74 tackles tonight.
74.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Unbelievable bit true.
How Storm were just one open pass away from the win!after 78 minutes of battle.
Great tough Grand Final.
Not happy with Sharks winning but they deserved it.
Would have been a tragedy to have been played at Suncorp this one. Would just have been something a bit less.
If this page is any guide, the stadium would have been only half full. Bloody disgrace contributors. Have a bloody good hard look at yourselves.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Metres gained by the starting packs (excluding the number 9s)
Sharks - 834
Storm - 495
Submitted by christine on
Coach that chook you were going to eat did it taste more like crow ? I told you stats are meant to be broken ...
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Such an American wank this ring bullshit is.
Give em a bloody medal for Christs sake.
Submitted by christine on
Coach sorry i didn't take advantage of bragging rights last time when raiders beat panthers but I couldn't resist this time ...
Submitted by Coach Potato on
The animals that provide us with fish n chips and chicken nuggets.
Holden Cup and NRL champions. Bloody hell.
Submitted by The Thinker on
The coasties have delivered on grand final day this year - Bondi, Wollongong and the Shire.
Westies gotta lift.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach I'm home and having a good look. Your Panthers went down to the Roosters after a mammoth lead. Maybe you should have a look at your comments.
Many decisions against the Storm could be questioned but happy to see the Sharks get their first premiership.
Coach I think you should worry more about your NSW support next year than castigate QLDers.
It seems to consume you.
You have asked why I target you but refuse to accept that you constantly belittle QLD clubs and their supporters.
Maybe next year Coach you can show some respect for the QLDers and I'll do the same.
Have a great off season everyone, keep yourselves well and I'll look forward to seeing you all again next year.
Christine, thank you, I'll be back and hope you will be too.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach just read your last comment about Suncorp.
Your are a sad sack my friend.
Just can't let it go can you?
We'll never know how it would go but you have it for certain.
I'm very happy I'm not as narrowed minded as you.
Submitted by a on
Hopefully it's Cowboys in 2017
Submitted by christine on
Mark yes I will be back next year & I hope you have a good off season & coach I didn't say that I thought Penrith didn't play any good I mean at half time anyone would have thought they would win but it all depends on the team on the day & the conditions they play in , see you all next year & " a " that applies to you as well & fortress & big pete ...
Submitted by fortresseagle on
magnificent win and finally the title for the sharks against the scum dos the stoem sucked in you dog cam smith wooooooooooooooo hooooooooooooooooooooooooooo matt checchin the other dog tried to help the storm but he wasnt needed.the sharks outplayed them out thought them bashed them and paul gasllen lifts the trophy infront of the all time dog cam smith and the dirtyiest mungee team the dogs the storm.
well done tto the sharks great win party hard boys and all you sharks fans well done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so the season is over thankyou to all who have been on this post there has been ups and downs but i will always defend my mighty sea eagles lump it or love it '
to big pete your a chamion mate will be in touch in the off season take care champ,to mark ashford good luck to your broncos next year mate your a chamion bloke great to read your posts stay strong to the rocket better luck next year mate'
wishing everyone a great summer the great manly beach will be packed and wishing all you footy fans out there a great summer christmas and see u all next year.
and omn behalf of all the mighty sea eagles punt high and folow on good on ya the sharks suck s@@t the storm.
and gp the mighty an magnificent sea eagles in 2017 yeeeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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