2017 NRL Grand Final
| 2017NRL Grand Final | |||||||||||||
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| Date | 1 October 2017 | ||||||||||||
| Stadium | ANZ Stadium | ||||||||||||
| Location | Sydney,New South Wales,Australia | ||||||||||||
| Clive Churchill Medal |  Billy Slater | ||||||||||||
| Australian National anthem | Ricki-Lee Coulter | ||||||||||||
| Referee | Matt Cecchin Gerard Sutton Nick Beashel (Touch Judge) Chris Butler (Touch Judge) | ||||||||||||
| Attendance | 79,722 | ||||||||||||
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The2017 NRL Grand Finalwas the conclusive and premiership-deciding game of the2017 National Rugby League seasonand was played on Sunday October 1 at Sydney'sANZ Stadium.[1]The match was contested between minor premiers theMelbourne Stormand the eighth-placedNorth Queensland Cowboys.The Melbourne club won the match 34 – 6 to claim their thirdpremiership title.Melbourne fullbackBilly Slaterwas awarded his secondClive Churchill Medalas the game's official man of the match.
The match was preceded by the2017 NRL Under-20sGrand Final and the 2017NRL State Championship.Pre-match entertainment was headlined by American rapperMacklemore,who attracted controversy for his scheduled performance of "Same Love"during the ongoingnationwide postal survey on same-sex marriage.The match was broadcast live throughout Australia by theNine Network.
Fairfax Mediadescribed the 2017 NRL Grand final as "one of the most one-sided grand finals in the NRL era".[2]
Background
[edit]| Storm | Cowboys | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rd.1 | Bulldogs | Raiders | ||||||||
| Rd.2 | Warriors | Broncos | ||||||||
| Rd.3 | Broncos | Sea-Eagles | ||||||||
| Rd.4 | Tigers | Titans | ||||||||
| Rd.5 | Panthers | Rabbitohs | ||||||||
| Rd.6 | Sharks | Tigers | ||||||||
| Rd.7 | Sea-Eagles | Dragons | ||||||||
| Rd.8 | Warriors | Knights | ||||||||
| Rd.9 | Dragons | Eels | ||||||||
| Rd.10 | Titans | Bulldogs | ||||||||
| Rd.11 | Rabbitohs | Sharks | ||||||||
| Rd.12 | Bye | Bye | ||||||||
| Rd.13 | Knights | Titans | ||||||||
| Rd.14 | Sharks | Eels | ||||||||
| Rd.15 | Cowboys | Storm | ||||||||
| Rd.16 | Roosters | Panthers | ||||||||
| Rd.17 | Broncos | Raiders | ||||||||
| Rd.18 | Eels | Bye | ||||||||
| Rd.19 | Bye | Rabbitohs | ||||||||
| Rd.20 | Raiders | Warriors | ||||||||
| Rd.21 | Sea-Eagles | Roosters | ||||||||
| Rd.22 | Cowboys | Storm | ||||||||
| Rd.23 | Roosters | Panthers | ||||||||
| Rd.24 | Knights | Sharks | ||||||||
| Rd.25 | Rabbitohs | Tigers | ||||||||
| Rd.26 | Raiders | Broncos | ||||||||
| QF/EF | Eels | Sharks | ||||||||
| SF | DNP | Eels | ||||||||
| PF | Broncos | Roosters | ||||||||
| GF | Cowboys | Storm | ||||||||
| Legend:WinLoss | ||||||||||
This was the third time that a grand final was contested by two non-Sydney/New South Wales based teams, after the2006 Grand Final(Brisbane defeating Melbourne) and the2015 Grand Final(North Queensland defeating Brisbane), and the first to feature neither theBrisbane Broncosor a Sydney-based club. TheMelbourne Stormqualified for their seventh grand final since 2006, with only coachCraig Bellamyand halfbackCooper Cronkhaving been involved on each occasion. It was also the first time since 2009 that a side had reached a premiership decider in consecutive seasons, with the Storm having made four straight appearances between 2006-2009. TheNorth Queensland Cowboysmade their first grand final appearance since their maiden premiership victory over theBrisbane Broncosin2015,as well as their third in the club's history. It was the first time since theCanterbury-Bankstown Bulldogsin2014that a side reached a grand final from outside the top-four, the first time since theParramatta Eelsin2009to reach the grand final from as low as 8th position, and the first club to qualify from 8th under thecurrent final eight systemthat was implemented in 2012.
Claiming their third minor premiership, theMelbourne Stormfinished the regular season on 44 competition points, six points clear of the second placedSydney Roostersin losing only 4 games from 24 matches. Their points differential of +297 was their highest amount since 2008. With a two-game home ground advantage, they defeated the fourth-placedParramatta Eels18–16 to earn a week off and a place in the grand final qualifier, where they would beat theBrisbane Broncos30–0 to reach a consecutive grand final.[3][4]North Queensland only made the finals series after theCanterbury-Bankstown Bulldogsdefeated theSt. George Illawarra Dragonsin the final round of the regular season. This result deniedSt. George Illawarra8th spot and allowed the North Queensland side into the finals instead.[5]North Queensland made a winning run defeating their next three opponents in the finals, all of whom were Sydney-based clubs. They defeated defending premiers, theCronulla-Sutherland Sharks15–14 in extra time atAllianz Stadium,[6]Parramatta 24–16 atANZ Stadium,[7]and the Roosters 29–16 at Allianz Stadium,[8]making it the first time they have reached a grand final without losing a finals match.
Melbourne and North Queensland have previously played each other in a finals series on three occasions. Their first meeting was in 2005 at, the then named,Aussie Stadiumwhere North Queensland defeated Melbourne 24-16 in the Semi Final. Their second was in 2015, when North Queensland defeated Melbourne 32–12 at Melbourne'sAAMI Parkto qualify for the Grand Final.[9]Their third meeting was in the 2016 Qualifying Final, when Melbourne defeated North Queensland 16-10 at AAMI Park; Melbourne would earn a week off and finish runners-up that season.
Teams
[edit]| Melbourne Storm |
Position | North Queensland Cowboys |
|---|---|---|
| Billy Slater | Fullback | Lachlan Coote |
| Suliasi Vunivalu | Wing | Kyle Feldt |
| Will Chambers | Centre | Justin O'Neill |
| Curtis Scott | Centre | Kane Linnett |
| Josh Addo-Carr | Wing | Antonio Winterstein |
| Cameron Munster | Five-eighth | Te Maire Martin |
| Cooper Cronk | Halfback | Michael Morgan |
| Jesse Bromwich | Prop | Shaun Fensom |
| Cameron Smith(c) | Hooker | Jake Granville |
| Jordan McLean | Prop | Scott Bolton |
| Felise Kaufusi | 2nd Row | Gavin Cooper(c) |
| Tohu Harris | 2nd Row | Ethan Lowe |
| Dale Finucane | Lock | Jason Taumalolo |
| Kenny Bromwich | Interchange | Ben Hampton |
| Tim Glasby | Interchange | Coen Hess |
| Nelson Asofa-Solomona | Interchange | Corey Jensen |
| Slade Griffin | Interchange | John Asiata |
| Craig Bellamy | Coach | Paul Green |
Melbourne StormhalfbackCooper Cronkplayed in his seventh grand final after having previously featured in every premiership decider his club have reached since 2006. It would also be his last game for the Melbourne side after playing 323 first-grade games for the club. Cronk,Will Chambers,Cameron Smith,Jesse Bromwich,andBilly Slaterwere the last remaining members of their last premiership winning team in2012.TheNorth Queensland Cowboyshad twelve players from their2015 Premiership winning side.Co-captainsJohnathan ThurstonandMatt Scottare the most notable absentees from their last Grand Final appearance after both suffered long-term injuries during the season, although Scott was named as a reserve for the starting line-up. They were replaced byTe Maire MartinandScott Bolton(who was promoted to the starting line-up after coming off the bench in 2015) respectively, with Martin being transferred mid-season from thePenrith Panthersto cover the injured representative halfback. North Queensland utilityBen Hamptonmade a consecutive Grand Final appearance after playing for the Storm in their loss to theCronulla-Sutherland Sharksthe preceding year'spremiership decider.
Officials
[edit]| Position | Stand-By | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Referees: | Matt Cecchin | Gerard Sutton | Ben Cummins | |
| Touch Judges: | Nick Beashel | Chris Butler | Brett Suttor | |
| Bunker: | Bernard Sutton | Ben Galea |
Match summary
[edit]| Melbourne Storm
|
34 – 6 |  North Queensland Cowboys
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|---|---|---|
| Tries:6 Addo-Carr  20',73'Kaufusi 28'Slater 38'Finucane 64'Scott 67'Goals:5 Smith  21',29',39',65',75'(5/6) |
1st: 18–0 2nd: 16–6 Report |
Tries:1 Martin 48'Goals:1 Lowe 49'(1/1) |
ANZ Stadium,Sydney
Attendance: 79,722 Referees:Matt Cecchin,Gerard Sutton Touch judges: Nick Beashel, Chris Butler Clive Churchill Medal:Billy Slater(Melbourne) |
First half
[edit]It was a tough night for the North Queensland side from the outset when Shaun Fensom was taken out of the game after a freak accident. Fensom tried to prevent a break from Melbourne but was tangled up with teammate Ethan Lowe. His leg was forced sideways and his grand final was over after just three minutes with a suspected broken tibia. After a lengthy stoppage of almost 10 minutes, the Melbourne side looked likely to score first despite some bruising defence fromAntonio Winterstein.
The first try came in the 19th minute when Will Chambers pounced on a loose ball 10m from his own line and beat a couple of defenders before offloading toJosh Addo-Carr,who sprinted 75m for the try. Cameron Smith converted and Melbourne lead 6-0. From that point on the Melbourne side went about their business with clinical precision. As usual, it was the kicking game ofCooper Cronkwhich was on fire, ably supported by his captain Cameron Smith. Cronk forced a dropout with a well-weighted kick and on the resulting play in the 28th minute, Slater drew two defenders and set upFelise Kaufusiwho had a clear run to the line and gave Melbourne their second try. Smith converted and Melbourne lead 12-0. It went from bad to worse for North Queensland moments later when Winterstein made an error off a seemingly innocuous Cronk grubber. In a complete team performance, the “Big Three” had their fingerprints all over the execution of the plan and in the 37th minute, Cronk and Smith combined for Slater to slice through past Justin O’Neil for Melbourne's third try. Smith converted and Melbourne lead 18-0. Just before the half time siren, Feldt had set off on a long run after fielding aCooper Cronkkick. The Melbourne chase reflected the determination of the Melbourne players.
Second half
[edit]After just one penalty in the opening half, the Melbourne side conceded three in a row early in the second. It gave North Queensland a rare chance at the Melbourne try line and in the 47th minute,Te Maire Martinfinally broke through Melbourne's defence to score. It was the first points the Melbourne side had conceded in 140 minutes of finals football. Ethan Lowe converted and the Melbourne side lead 18-6. North Queensland began to build pressure but couldn’t make the most of further sets inside Melbourne's 20.
Melbourne lockDale Finucaneall but put the game to bed in the 64th minute with a barge over try on the back of an assist from Smith. Smith converted and Melbourne lead 24-6. The night was summed up from North Queensland in the 67th minute whenKane Linnettdropped the ball coming out of the defence. Curtis Scott scored a grand final try in his debut season after receiving a pass fromJosh Addo-Carr.Smith missed the conversion and Melbourne lead 28-6.
With the game well and truly over, Melbourne turned into theHarlem Globetrotterswith Smith, Cronk, Slater andTohu Harriscombining in the 73rd minute for a party-trick to set up Addo-Carr for his second try of the night. Smith converted and Melbourne lead 34-6. It was the icing on the cake for the best team of the season.[10]
Opening games
[edit]Holden Cup NYC Grand Final
[edit]This was the last ever match of theNational Youth Competition,which was scrapped after 10 seasons in favour of a return to state-based Under 20s.
Sunday, 1 October
1:35pm (AEDT) |
Parramatta Eels U20s
|
18 – 20 |  Manly Warringah Sea Eagles U20s
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Dylan Brown(3')1 Denzal Tonise (16')1 Greg Leleisiuao (67')1 Goals: Dylan Brown3/4 (4', 11' pen, 17') |
1st: 14 – 10 2nd: 4 – 10 |
Tries: 1(29')Tevita Funa 1(40') Bilal Maarbani 1(43') Blake Andrews 1(79') Keith Titmuss Goals: 2/4Tevita Funa (40', 80') |
NRL State Championship
[edit]The 2017 State Championship match featured theNSW CupPremiers Penrith facingQueensland Cuppremiers the Papua New Guinea Hunters.
Sunday, 1 October
3:40pm (AEDT) |
Penrith Panthers
|
42 – 18 |  Papua New Guinea Hunters
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Tony Satini(9', 11', 16', 40')4 Darren Nicholls(20')1 Viliame Kikau(31')1 Christian Crichton(38')1 Maika Sivo(47')1 Goals: Darren Nicholls5/8 (13', 17', 22', 34', 39') Sin Bin: Jarome Luai(68') |
1st: 38 – 2 2nd: 4 – 16 |
Tries: 1(69')Adex Wera 1(72')Bland Abavu 1(77')Ase Boas Goals: 3/4Ase Boas (3' pen, 70', 77') |
Aftermath
[edit]By winning the Grand Final, the Melbourne Storm qualified for the2018 World Club Challengeagainst theSuper League XXIIchampionsLeeds Rhinos.The match would be staged in Australia for only the fourth time, where the Storm defeated the Rhinos 38–4.[11]
Pre-match entertainment
[edit]American rapperMacklemorewas booked to perform four songs, accompanied by singersEric NallyandMary Lambert,including "Same Love".[12]The song topped theAustralian chartsin 2013,and was regarded as an anthem for same-sex marriage advocates duringthe campaignin Macklemore's home state ofWashington.In the days leading up to the grand final, the single returned to the top of the AustralianiTunescharts.[13]
Several prominent conservative politicians voiced strong opposition to the scheduled performance of "Same Love", given its high-profile support for the 'Yes' campaign during the voting period of theAustralian Marriage Law Postal Survey.[14][15]Former Prime MinisterTony Abbotttweeted his disapproval of a "politicised grand final," while North Queensland crossbencherBob Katterdescribed allowing Macklemore's grand final performance as "tantamount to seeping sewage into thedebutante ball."Macklemore acknowledged the controversy several days before the final, but vowed to" go harder "as a result.[16]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^"2017 Telstra Premiership draw launched".24 November 2016.Retrieved31 January2017.
- ^"NRL grand final 2017: North Queensland Cowboys coach Paul Green questions referee collision".October 2017.
- ^Marmont, Andrew (9 September 2017)."Storm edge Eels to book home prelim".NRL.com.Retrieved2 October2017.
- ^Marmont, Andrew (22 September 2017)."Storm into grand final after smashing Broncos".NRL.com.Retrieved2 October2017.
- ^Kennedy, Chris (3 September 2017)."Bulldogs end Dragons' finals hopes".NRL.com.Retrieved2 October2017.
- ^Kennedy, Chris (10 September 2017)."Cowboys send Sharks packing in extra time".NRL.com.Retrieved2 October2017.
- ^Newton, Alecia (16 September 2017)."Eels out as Cowboys dream lives on".NRL.com.Retrieved2 October2017.
- ^Newton, Alecia (23 September 2017)."Cowboys stun Roosters to storm into grand final".NRL.com.Retrieved2 October2017.
- ^Botoulas, William (26 September 2015)."Cowboys lock in Queensland Grand Final".NRL.com.Retrieved2 October2017.
- ^Connolly, Paul (October 2017)."Melbourne Storm beat North Queensland Cowboys in 2017 NRL grand final – as it happened".The Guardian.
- ^"Melbourne to host World Club Challenge showdown".melbournestorm.com.au.13 November 2017.Retrieved14 November2017.
- ^"MACKLEMORE ANNOUNCES ERIC NALLY, MARY LAMBERT WILL PERFORM AT THE NRL GRAND FINAL".The Daily Telegraph.22 September 2017.Retrieved30 September2017.
- ^Bungard, Matt (28 September 2017)."NRL grand final 2017: Macklemore song Same Love surges up Australian iTunes charts after controversy".The Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved30 September2017.
- ^Mack, Emmy (27 September 2017)."'No' Campaigners Are Trying To Ban Macklemore From Singing 'Same Love' At The NRL Grand Final ".Music Feeds.Retrieved30 September2017.
- ^Holman, Julia (28 September 2017)."Macklemore singing at NRL grand final like 'seeping sewage into debutante ball', says Bob Katter".ABC News.Retrieved30 September2017.
- ^Payne, Marissa (28 September 2017)."Macklemore to perform at Australian rugby championship, and it's got some fans very angry".The Washington Post.Retrieved30 September2017.