NRL 2024 Grand Final – Prop in the Canefield: You gotta love footy!

 

 

 

 

 

Well, you would’ve expected a big collision early in the match when JWH is playing but Melbourne didn’t kick to him but, boy o boy, we still got our collision! It was Big Nelson who brought about the high shot. One minute in and he’s collected Collins who was unable to take any further part in the game. Nelson was put in the bin and strangely, at least I thought, the Roosters chose to take a penalty at the two-minute mark when it looked like they may have had Melbourne under the pump.

There was back-to-back action in the first half and both sides attacked each other. The Roosters got out to an early lead through an excellent Tupou try in what was a very highly entertaining game but, in the end, it was the big four from Melbourne who made the difference. Hughes, Grant and Papenhuyzen  were outstanding, and it just goes to show that when those top players are on the song, Melbourne are a very difficult team to beat. Howarth’s try off a terrific Coates catch in goal and a Papenhuyzen break was some of the best counterattack you will ever see. Howarth even showed off a Neville Glover-style goosestep! Storm ended up winning comfortably, and now look to their meeting next week against Penrith.

Crabman’s Claw Final Points:

3 Hughes, 2 Grant, 1 Papenhuyzen

 

Likewise, the second game went from end to end for the first 20 minutes and Cronulla certainly had their chances. However, as is Penrith’s way, as soon as they got up the other end after Cleary’s terrific 40/20, points went on the board from a magnificent Cleary pass to Alamoti, classic rugby league, putting Penrith in front as the rain started to pour down. Penrith had a try disallowed for an obstruction which was very debatable and surely Butler can’t be in the Bunker for the GF! Cronulla then scored a great team try through Katoa in the 60th minute to make the score 10-6 before Cleary put in a pinpoint kick for To’o and then a pinpoint pass for Alamoti’s second to seal the game. Cronulla tried hard and I take my hat off to the coach who has wrung all he possibly could from his side.

Crabman’s Claw Final Points:

3 Yeo, 2 Cleary, 1 Alimoti

 

Crabman’s Claw Tally:

Yeo 6, Cleary, Grant, Hughes 4; Munster 3.

 

Crabman to award GF points to me before Churchill Medal is announced. Likewise, the Tiny (best player on the losing side) and the Theo (best player on the winning side) to be awarded as well. I don’t want the Churchill Medal to take the gloss off the major Props!

 

Prop’s Merit Team of the Year (based on the number of times they were mentioned):

#1 Ponga            #2 Warbrick     #3 Crichton      #4 Tabuai- Fidow          #5. Khan-Pereira

#6 Dearden      #7 Hughes         #8 Cotter            #9 Grant              #10 Tapine        #11 Kikau

#12 Blore            #13Yeo                 #14 Wishart     #15 Plath.

 

So that brings us to the Grand Final, and it is the GF that I think everybody has been waiting for this season. They clearly were the two best sides in the competition. Penrith had a little lull in the middle of the season and Melbourne has been consistent all year. Melbourne have lost five games; Penrith have lost seven.

They’ve played each other twice this year, including Melbourne’s outstanding Round 1  8-nil win and then Round 24 where the Storm beat the Panthers 24 points to 22 in the match where Cleary injured his shoulder. It was a physical match with Meaney kicking a late penalty for the Storm victory.

The coaches are most probably the two best-performing coaches over the last five years and their performance is exacerbated by the number of players who have departed. Yet their performances continue to be of such a high standard which is a credit to the coaching staff. I’m not sure where the game will be won but the loss of Nelson is huge for the Storm (pun intended). Now, Bellamy says next man up and he doesn’t see players going out as a loss, but more of an opportunity. But Nelson is very hard to replace. He is effective in the defensive line in the sense that players don’t run towards him, and he also has a really good carry and offload. His season didn’t start well but, over the last three or four weeks, he has been a force in the Melbourne side. Melbourne have been in terrific form. Munster has been good in patches, Papenhuyzen and Hughes have been outstanding, Grant has led from the front and, generally speaking, their players have all gone well. I’ve been impressed with their back row of Katoa and Blore and they will both have to perform.

Penrith, on the other hand, seemed to play well within themselves in their match against Cronulla. Again, it was Cleary who pulled the strings. Their three tries all came off assists from him. Firstly, a terrific pass to Alamoti, secondly a kick for To’o, and then finally another pinpoint pass for Alamoti. If anything happens to Cleary, Penrith’s chances decrease, but if he is on song and his shoulder holds up, I don’t know how Melbourne will beat them. They’re also expecting Sorensen back and he certainly strengthens their side.

I’m looking forward to the match and, as you can imagine, there’ll be a lot of discussion about who will do what in the match. I’m leaning toward Penrith in this game even though I think Melbourne’s efforts this year have been outstanding. I just think they have that edge in big game experience. I also think they have played within themselves for the last couple of games to make sure they are ready to go, but I’m expecting it to be an incredibly close game. Either way, we’re all looking forward to it.

 Origin count: Melbourne 2, Penrith 4.

 

For those interested, I’ll be watching the game in a little town called Bell as we are on our grand final tour but decided this year that we wouldn’t go to Sydney. Instead, a little country tour visiting some establishments in Ipswich, Gatton, Toowoomba, Dalby and then Bell where we will take in the game. My touring team consists of myself, Tiny, Prospector and Crabman, and this year we will be decked out in our Struddy’s gear provided by Grubby Half and the Struddy’s team.

Friday is touring shirt day, Saturday is dress shirt, and Sunday is footy shorts and jersey. Monday is free dress but if we drop into Oakey or the Marburg Trots or even the Ipswich gallops the shirt with the least spillage will have to be worn! A backpack for extra gear and a touring cap for the sun. Tough campaign but we owe it to the players for their efforts!

 

In the early game my old nemesis club Brisbane Norths take on my former favorite Sydney club, the Newtown Blue Bags or as they’re known today, the Jets, in the final between the NSW and Queensland Club Champions. It’s normally a good game, and Norths will be hoping that they perform a lot better this year than they did when they were last there two years ago. Norths have performed well all year in the Brisbane competition and their affiliation with Redcliffe is certainly evident in their side that’ll run out on Sunday. Likewise, Newtown performed very well, coming from second to win that competition. As always, it should be a cracking match, and I hope former Queensland Schoolboy Coach Dave Elliot can bring the trophy home.

 

In the women’s final, the Roosters play the Cronulla Sharks and I’m hoping that I can get a special report on that game for you all next week.

 

Odd Rugby League facts!

After losing to Penrith in 2021, the Souths coach lasted 2.5 seasons;
After losing to Penrith in 2022, the Parramatta coach lasted 1.5 seasons;
After losing to Penrith in 2023, the Broncos coach lasted 1 season.

Based on that logic, if in 2024 the Storm coach loses, he should be sacked early August 2025!

 

You gotta love footy finals time!

 

 

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Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

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