The 2020 Premiership was a battle between a team that’s competed in four of the last five Grand Finals and the Minor Premiers who had won 17 consecutive games since May.
And the final did not disappoint with 24 weeks of NRL matches ultimately decided in the final four seconds.
First Half
Only die hard fans, desperate tipsters and experts on the Channel Nine commentary team thought the Panthers were on top or unlucky.
I still don’t know what game the commentators were calling but the Storm were methodical in everything they did. Take out the disaster of the kickoff and only handling errors held the Storm back.
Half time – Storm lead 22-0
Second Half
Had it all. Or should I say, the final 10 minutes did.
With two Storm players in the sin-bin. Nathan Cleary scored and declined the conversion to setup a Hail Mary play with four seconds on the clock to go to extra time.
The Panthers needed two more minutes.
Where The Game Was Won/Lost
The danger period. Tries either side of halftime was ultimately what decided the game. Throw in an errant intercept pass and the Panthers will lament this missed opportunity.
Congratulations Melbourne Storm
Congratulation Melbourne Storm. You are the yardstick team of the NRL.
You have the best coach, coaching staff, captain/coach/referees boss, finances and structures. Fans of other Clubs can only wish they had this set-up and results.
While all questions have been asked about Cam Smith’s future, coach Craig Bellamy has one more year remaining at the Storm which will influence Cam’s decision.
This is also an opportunity for Cameron Smith to give back to the game and build on a new legacy. Say to an emerging team… in Queensland… perhaps, on the Gold Coast…
Finally, congratulations Ryan Papenhuyzen for winning the Clive Churchill Medal. The individual brilliance of the try scored in the 2nd half and the bat back from a touch finder are on the highlights reel.
Storm fans enjoy the season and being reigning premiers.
