2012 NRL Grand Final: Difference between revisions
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{{Use dmy dates|date= |
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}} |
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{{Use Australian English|date=April 2015}} |
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2015}} |
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{{Infobox rugby league football match |
{{Infobox rugby league football match |
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|imagesize = 125px |
|imagesize = 125px |
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|alt = |
|alt = |
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|home = Canterbury-Bankstown<br />Bulldogs |
|home = [[File:Canterbury_colours.svg|50px]]<br />[[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs|Canterbury-Bankstown<br />Bulldogs]] |
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|away = Melbourne<br />Storm |
|away = [[File:Melbourne_colours.svg|50px]]<br />[[Melbourne Storm|Melbourne<br />Storm]] |
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|home_abbr = CBY {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} |
|home_abbr = CBY {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} |
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|away_abbr = MEL {{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} |
|away_abbr = MEL {{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} |
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|home_half1 = |
|home_half1 = 4 |
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|home_half2 = |
|home_half2 = 0 |
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|home_total = |
|home_total = 4 |
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|away_half1 = |
|away_half1 = 14 |
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|away_half2 = |
|away_half2 = 0 |
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|away_total = |
|away_total = 14 |
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|date = 30 September 2012 |
|date = 30 September 2012 |
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|stadium = [[Stadium Australia|ANZ Stadium]] |
|stadium = [[Stadium Australia|ANZ Stadium]] |
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|MoM = [[Cooper Cronk]] (MEL) |
|MoM = [[Cooper Cronk]] (MEL) |
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|anthem_title = [[Advance Australia Fair|Australian National anthem]] |
|anthem_title = [[Advance Australia Fair|Australian National anthem]] |
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|anthem = |
|anthem = [[Sarah De Bono]] |
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|referee = |
|referee = [[Tony Archer (referee)|Tony Archer]]<br />[[Ben Cummins]]<br />Paul Holland (Touch Judge)<br />Russell Turner (Touch Judge) |
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⚫ | |attendance = 82,976<ref>{{cite news|last=Jancetic|first=Steve|title=Storm win NRL decider 14-4 over Bulldogs|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/storm-win-nrl-decider-144-over-bulldogs-20120930-26tji.html|access-date=30 September 2012|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=30 September 2012}}</ref> |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |attendance = 82,976<ref>{{cite news|last=Jancetic|first=Steve|title=Storm win NRL decider 14-4 over Bulldogs|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/storm-win-nrl-decider-144-over-bulldogs-20120930-26tji.html| |
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|network = [[Nine Network]] |
|network = [[Nine Network]] |
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|commentators = [[Ray Warren]] |
|commentators = [[Ray Warren]] |
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|commentators2 = [[Peter Sterling]] |
|commentators2 = [[Peter Sterling (rugby league commentator)|Peter Sterling]] |
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|commentators3 = [[Phil Gould]] |
|commentators3 = [[Phil Gould (rugby league)|Phil Gould]] |
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|commentators4 = [[Andrew Johns]] |
|commentators4 = [[Andrew Johns]] |
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| |
|commentators5 = [[Wally Lewis]] |
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| |
|commentators6 = [[Brad Fittler]] |
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|tournaments = [[NRL Grand Final]] |
|tournaments = [[NRL Grand Final]] |
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|last = [[2011 NRL Grand Final|2011]] |
|last = [[2011 NRL Grand Final|2011]] |
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|next = [[2013 NRL Grand Final|2013]] |
|next = [[2013 NRL Grand Final|2013]] |
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}} |
}} |
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The '''2012 NRL Grand Final''' was the conclusive and premiership-deciding game of the [[2012 NRL season]]. Played on Sunday, 30 September at Sydney's [[Stadium Australia|ANZ Stadium]] between the [[minor premier]]s [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]] and the second-placed [[Melbourne Storm]]. |
The '''2012 NRL Grand Final''' was the conclusive and premiership-deciding game of the [[2012 NRL season]]. Played on Sunday, 30 September at Sydney's [[Stadium Australia|ANZ Stadium]] between the [[minor premier]]s [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]] and the second-placed [[Melbourne Storm]]. Melbourne won the match 14–4 in a tight contest to claim their second [[NRL#Premiership winners|premiership title]] after their 2007 and 2009 titles were stripped due to [[Melbourne Storm salary cap breach|major salary cap breaches]]. |
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==Background== |
==Background== |
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{{See also|2012 NRL season}} |
{{See also|2012 NRL season}} |
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This was the fourth time the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs and Melbourne Storm have faced each other in a finals series and the first in a grand final. It was the fifth time in the past seven seasons the Melbourne Storm featured in a grand final, although they were playing for their second official title |
This was the fourth time the [[Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs]] and [[Melbourne Storm]] have faced each other in a finals series and the first in a grand final. It was the fifth time in the past seven seasons the [[Melbourne Storm]] featured in a grand final, although they were playing for their second official title. The Canterbury side played in their first decider since 2004 when they defeated the [[Sydney Roosters]] to win their last premiership. It was also the third time coaches [[Craig Bellamy (rugby league)|Craig Bellamy]] and [[Des Hasler]] oversaw their sides in a premiership decider after each claimed grand final success in their 2007 and 2008 meetings. |
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[[File:State of Origin Game II 2018.jpg|thumb|ANZ Stadium, where the match was played]] |
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{| style="float:left; font-size:70%; text-align:center; height:30px; padding:10px;" |
{| style="float:left; font-size:70%; text-align:center; height:30px; padding:10px;" |
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! colspan="11" | '''Legend''': {{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|#FFBBBB|Loss|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} |
! colspan="11" | '''Legend''': {{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|#FFBBBB|Loss|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} |
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|} |
|} |
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Melbourne and Canterbury have faced each other twice in the regular season, with the |
Melbourne and Canterbury have faced each other twice in the regular season, with the Melbourne side beating Canterbury-Bankstown 12–6 in a tight match at Melbourne's home ground in [[AAMI Park]] in round 7 whilst Canterbury got over Melbourne later in round 16 with a score of 20–4 at Canterbury's non-traditional venue at [[Stadium Mackay|Virgin Australia Stadium]] in [[Mackay, Queensland]]. |
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Tickets to the grand final were sold out by 22 August, more than two weeks before finals playoffs begun.<ref>{{cite news|last=skynews.com.au|title=NRL Grand Final sold out|url=http://www.skynews.com.au/sport/article.aspx?id=786657| |
Tickets to the grand final were sold out by 22 August, more than two weeks before finals playoffs begun.<ref>{{cite news|last=skynews.com.au|title=NRL Grand Final sold out|url=http://www.skynews.com.au/sport/article.aspx?id=786657|access-date=22 August 2012|newspaper=Sky News|date=22 August 2012}}</ref> |
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===Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs=== |
===Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs=== |
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{{see also|2012 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs season}} |
{{see also|2012 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs season}} |
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The [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]] finished first on the regular season competition ladder, claiming the 2012 minor premiership with 18 wins from 24 matches and finishing on 40 premiership points. This was the club's 7th minor premiership in its history and its first since 1994. |
The [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]] finished first on the regular season competition ladder, claiming the 2012 minor premiership with 18 wins from 24 matches and finishing on 40 premiership points. This was the club's 7th minor premiership in its history and its first since 1994. Canterbury's 2012 season was characterised by a 12-game winning streak from round 11 to round 24, which was eventually ended after a 34–6 defeat to the [[Canberra Raiders]] in round 25. This loss gave Melbourne a chance to claim the minor premiership, however a 42–10 win over the [[Sydney Roosters]] in round 26 ensured the Canterbury club finished first. |
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The |
The Canterbury side began the 2012 finals series with a 16–10 win over the [[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles]] to ensure a preliminary final berth in week 3. They subsequently won this match 32–8 against the [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]] to qualify for the 2012 grand final against Melbourne. |
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This was |
This was Canterbury's 17th grand final appearance and the club's first since [[2004 NRL Grand Final|2004]]. |
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===Melbourne Storm=== |
===Melbourne Storm=== |
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{{see also|2012 Melbourne Storm season}} |
{{see also|2012 Melbourne Storm season}} |
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The Melbourne Storm finished second on the regular season competition leader just behind |
The [[Melbourne Storm]] finished second on the regular season competition leader just behind Canterbury-Bankstown on 38 premiership points, with 17 wins from 24 games. Melbourne's 2012 season was characterised by a 9-game winning streak from round 1 to round 9, making them early premiership favourites. The Melbourne club subsequently suffered a 5-game losing streak from round 16 to round 21, allowing Canterbury to overtake them to win the minor premiership. Despite this, the Melbourne club finished the season winning their last 5 consecutive matches to finish second. |
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Melbourne began week 1 of the finals with a 24–6 victory over the [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]] to qualify for a preliminary final in week 3 against modern rivals the [[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles]]. Melbourne won this match 40–12 to qualify for the 2012 NRL Grand Final against Canterbury-Bankstown. |
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This was the |
This was the Melbourne club's fifth grand final appearance in seven seasons and its sixth appearance overall. |
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== |
==Team lists== |
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===Team lists=== |
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{| style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto" |
{| style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto" |
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|- style="background:#f03;" |
|- style="background:#f03;" |
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! style="width:170px; text-align:center; border:3px solid navy; background:purple; color:white;"|Melbourne<br />Storm |
! style="width:170px; text-align:center; border:3px solid navy; background:purple; color:white;"|Melbourne<br />Storm |
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|- style="text-align:center;" |
|- style="text-align:center;" |
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||[[Ben Barba]] |
|| [[Ben Barba]] |
||
| style="background:#eee;"| Fullback |
| style="background:#eee;"| Fullback |
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||[[Billy Slater]] |
|| [[Billy Slater]] |
||
|- style="text-align:center;" |
|- style="text-align:center;" |
||
||[[Sam Perrett]] |
|| [[Sam Perrett]] |
||
| style="background:#eee;"| Wing |
| style="background:#eee;"| Wing |
||
||[[Sisa Waqa]] |
|| [[Sisa Waqa]] |
||
|- style="text-align:center;" |
|- style="text-align:center;" |
||
||[[Josh Morris]] |
|| [[Josh Morris (rugby league)|Josh Morris]] |
||
| style="background:#eee;"| Centre |
| style="background:#eee;"| Centre |
||
||[[Dane Nielsen]] |
|| [[Dane Nielsen]] |
||
|- style="text-align:center;" |
|- style="text-align:center;" |
||
||[[Krisnan Inu]] |
|| [[Krisnan Inu]] |
||
| style="background:#eee;"| Centre |
| style="background:#eee;"| Centre |
||
||[[Will Chambers]] |
|| [[Will Chambers]] |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Jonathan Wright (rugby league)|Jonathan Wright]] |
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Jonathan Wright (rugby league)|Jonathan Wright]] |
||
| style="text-align:center; background:#eee;"| Wing |
| style="text-align:center; background:#eee;"| Wing |
||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Justin O'Neill]] |
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Justin O'Neill]] |
||
|- style="text-align:center;" |
|- style="text-align:center;" |
||
||[[Josh Reynolds]] |
|| [[Josh Reynolds (Australian rugby league player)|Josh Reynolds]] |
||
| style="background:#eee;"| Five-eighth |
| style="background:#eee;"| Five-eighth |
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||[[Gareth Widdop]] |
|| [[Gareth Widdop]] |
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|- style="text-align:center;" |
|- style="text-align:center;" |
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||[[Kris Keating]] |
|| [[Kris Keating]] |
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| style="background:#eee;"| Halfback |
| style="background:#eee;"| Halfback |
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||[[Cooper Cronk]] |
|| [[Cooper Cronk]] |
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|- style="text-align:center;" |
|- style="text-align:center;" |
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||[[Aiden Tolman]] |
|| [[Aiden Tolman]] |
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| style="background:#eee;"| Prop |
| style="background:#eee;"| Prop |
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||[[Jesse Bromwich]] |
|| [[Jesse Bromwich]] |
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|- style="text-align:center;" |
|- style="text-align:center;" |
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||[[Michael Ennis]] (c) |
|| [[Michael Ennis]] (c) |
||
| style="background:#eee;"| Hooker |
| style="background:#eee;"| Hooker |
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||[[Cameron Smith]] (c) |
|| [[Cameron Smith (rugby league, born 1983)|Cameron Smith]] (c) |
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|- style="text-align:center;" |
|- style="text-align:center;" |
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||[[Sam Kasiano]] |
|| [[Sam Kasiano]] |
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| style="background:#eee;"| Prop |
| style="background:#eee;"| Prop |
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||[[Bryan Norrie]] |
|| [[Bryan Norrie]] |
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|- style="text-align:center;" |
|- style="text-align:center;" |
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||[[Frank Pritchard]] |
|| [[Frank Pritchard]] |
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| style="background:#eee;"| 2nd Row |
| style="background:#eee;"| 2nd Row |
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||[[Kevin Proctor]] |
|| [[Kevin Proctor]] |
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|- |
|- |
||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Josh Jackson (rugby league)|Josh Jackson]] |
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Josh Jackson (rugby league)|Josh Jackson]] |
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| style="text-align:center; background:#eee;"| 2nd Row |
| style="text-align:center; background:#eee;"| 2nd Row |
||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Ryan Hoffman]] |
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Ryan Hoffman]] |
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|- style="text-align:center;" |
|- style="text-align:center;" |
||
||[[Greg Eastwood]] |
|| [[Greg Eastwood]] |
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| style="background:#eee;"| Lock |
| style="background:#eee;"| Lock |
||
||[[Todd Lowrie]] |
|| [[Todd Lowrie]] |
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|- |
|- |
||
| |
| |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[James Graham (rugby league)|James Graham]] |
| style="text-align:center;"| [[James Graham (rugby league)|James Graham]] |
||
| style="text-align:center; background:#eee;"| Interchange |
| style="text-align:center; background:#eee;"| Interchange |
||
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Sika Manu]] |
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Sika Manu]] |
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|- style="text-align:center;" |
|- style="text-align:center;" |
||
||[[Dale Finucane]] |
|| [[Dale Finucane]] |
||
| style="background:#eee;"| Interchange |
| style="background:#eee;"| Interchange |
||
||[[Ryan Hinchcliffe]] |
|| [[Ryan Hinchcliffe]] |
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|- style="text-align:center;" |
|- style="text-align:center;" |
||
||[[Corey Payne]] |
|| [[Corey Payne]] |
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| style="background:#eee;"| Interchange |
| style="background:#eee;"| Interchange |
||
||[[Jaiman Lowe]] |
|| [[Jaiman Lowe]] |
||
|- style="text-align:center;" |
|- style="text-align:center;" |
||
||[[David Stagg]] |
|| [[David Stagg]] |
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| style="background:#eee;"| Interchange |
| style="background:#eee;"| Interchange |
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||[[Richie Fa'aoso]] |
|| [[Richie Fa'aoso]] |
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|- |
|- |
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| |
| |
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|} |
|} |
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'''Note:''' Kevin Proctor swapped with Sika Manu from his interchange spot before the match. |
'''Note:''' Kevin Proctor swapped with Sika Manu from his interchange spot before the match. |
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==Match details== |
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<section begin=scoreboard /> |
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{{rugbyleaguebox |
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|bg = #f1f5fc |
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|event = 2012 NRL Grand Final |
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|date = Sunday, 30 September |
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|time = 17:00 [[Time in Australia|AEST]] ([[UTC+10]]) |
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|team1 = [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]] {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} |
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⚫ | |||
|score = 4 – 14 |
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|1sthalf = 4–14 |
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|2ndhalf = 0–0 |
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|report = [https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2012/grand-final/canterbury-vs-melbourne/summary.html Report] |
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⚫ | |||
|goal1 = <br>[[Krisnan Inu|Inu]] {{small|(0/1)}} |
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|field1 = |
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⚫ | |||
|goal2 = '''1'''<br>[[Cameron Smith (rugby league, born 1983)|Smith]] {{kick|32}} {{small|(1/3)}} |
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|stadium = [[Stadium Australia|ANZ Stadium]], [[Sydney]] |
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|attendance = 82,976 |
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|referee = [[Tony Archer (referee)|Tony Archer]] |
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⚫ | |||
|touch = |
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|potmaward = [[Clive Churchill Medal]] |
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|potmwinner = [[Cooper Cronk]] (Melbourne) |
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⚫ | |||
<section end=scoreboard /> |
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===1st half=== |
===1st half=== |
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Melbourne began the first half with all the early possession, punishing a number of errors by Canterbury-Bankstown with several repeat sets. The relentless pressure was rewarded with a 7th minute try to Ryan Hoffman, bursting through a yawning gap after taking Gareth Widdop's lovely short ball 10m out from the line to make it 4–0. Melbourne captain Cameron Smith missed the conversion. Melbourne continued to pressure Canterbury's try line over the next few minutes but they held strong, forcing Melbourne to attempt a penalty conversion which was missed by Smith. |
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The |
The Canterbury side took this as a sign of respect to their brutal defense and went on the attack, resulting in a 25th minute try to Sam Perrett, who beat Melbourne fullback Billy Slater to Krisnan Inu's perfectly placed grubber kick. As Perrett dived over, Slater accidentally barged into him in his attempts to stop the try. Inu, reacting to what he thought was an illegal play by Slater, pushed Melbourne fullback away, sparking an all in brawl which led to one of the biggest controversies in Grand Final history. Once the fight was broken up, Slater claimed that he was bitten on the ear by Canterbury prop James Graham. Video showed the fullback had blood coming from his ear and replays confirmed the allegations, clearly showing Graham biting Slater's ear. Referee Tony Archer placed the incident on report and it was referred straight to the judiciary;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/storm-fullback-billy-slaters-ear-appears-to-show-bite-marks/story-e6frfgbo-1226485816010 |title=Storm fullback Billy Slater's ear appears to show bite marks |access-date=2013-09-04}}</ref> Graham later received a 12 match ban.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/graham-judiciary/story-e6frfgbo-1226488427893|title=Graham Judiciary|work=Herald Sun}} {{dead link|date=January 2023}}</ref> The try was awarded to Perrett, however, Inu missed the conversion and the score was locked at 4-4. |
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Melbourne used the controversial incident to spur them on, relaying the pressure on Canterbury. They capitalized in the 32nd minute where Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk delivering a sublime no look pass to Slater as he burst through a gap beating two defenders to cross for Melbourne, taking the score out to 10-4 after Smith's conversion. Melbourne were not done just yet, as they delivered the knockout blow a minute before halftime where Cronk supplied a pinpoint cross field bomb to Justin O’Neil who leapt over Canterbury fullback [[Ben Barba]] to score Melbourne's third try. Smith missed the conversion once more and Melbourne led 14–4 at halftime. |
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===2nd half=== |
===2nd half=== |
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The second half was a defensive slog. |
The second half was a defensive slog. Melbourne didn't touch the ball in the opening 10 minutes, holding out set after set of Canterbury's attack. Canterbury captain [[Michael Ennis]] seemed to have scored in the 49th minute only to be denied by Cameron Smith holding him up. Melbourne went down the other end and Smith missed another penalty conversion, failing in his attempts to make it a two converted try lead. The closest the Canterbury side came to scoring was in the 61st minute where Barba made a break down the left hand wing, kicked over the top to centre Josh Morris, who failed to capitalise due to the bounce of the ball and Slater's desperate defending. Melbourne prop Brian Norrie appeared to have scored a try in the 70th minute, diving over after Slater batted back Cronk's bomb, however it was to be denied as Norrie was offside. Melbourne held on to win the Grand Final 14–4. Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk was awarded the [[Clive Churchill Medal]] for his man of the match performance. |
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The crowd of 82,976 was the highest Grand Final attendance at ANZ Stadium ever since it was re-constructed in 2002 and it was the first Grand Final to have a scoreless half of play. |
The crowd of 82,976 was the highest Grand Final attendance at ANZ Stadium ever since it was re-constructed in 2002 and it was the first Grand Final to have a scoreless half of play. Melbourne's 2012 triumph was their 2nd legitimate title. The result also saw Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy take home his first valid championship. |
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===Summary=== |
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{{col-begin}} |
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{{col-break}} |
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" text-align:left;" cellspacing="2" |
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|- |
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!width=100 |<big>14</big> |
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⚫ | |||
|- |
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!Tries |
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⚫ | |||
|- |
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!Goals |
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| '''1/5''' [[Cameron Smith|Smith]] (33') |
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|- |
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!<big>4</big> |
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!{{leagueicon|Canterbury}} Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs |
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|- |
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!Tries |
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⚫ | |||
|- |
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!Goals |
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|'''0/1''' [[Krisnan Inu|Inu]] |
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|- |
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!Half Time |
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| Storm 14 - Bulldogs 4 |
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⚫ | |||
{{col-break}} |
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" text-align:left;" cellspacing="2" |
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|- |
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!Score<br/>Progression |
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| '''7th minute:''' Storm 4 – 0 (Try: Hoffman) <br> '''25th minute:''' Storm 4 – 4 (Try: Perrett) <br> '''32nd minute:''' Storm 10 – 4 (Try: Slater, Goal: Smith) <br> '''39th minute:''' Storm 14 – 4 (Try: O'Neill) |
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|} |
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{{col-end}} |
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==Aftermath== |
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==World Club Challenge== |
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{{main|2013 World Club Challenge}} |
{{main|2013 World Club Challenge}} |
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The Melbourne Storm |
The Melbourne Storm's premiership victory qualified them to compete against the [[Super League XVII]] champions, [[Leeds Rhinos]] in the [[2013 World Club Challenge]]. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{NRL grand finals}} |
{{NRL grand finals}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:NRL Grand Final}} |
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[[Category:NRL Grand Finals|2012]] |
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[[Category:2012 NRL season|Grand Final]] |
[[Category:2012 NRL season|Grand Final]] |
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[[Category:Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]] |
[[Category:Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs matches]] |
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[[Category:Melbourne Storm matches]] |
[[Category:Melbourne Storm matches]] |
Latest revision as of 16:34, 19 January 2024
2012 | NRL Grand Final|||||||||||||
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Date | 30 September 2012 | ||||||||||||
Stadium | ANZ Stadium | ||||||||||||
Standort | Sydney | ||||||||||||
Clive Churchill Medal | Cooper Cronk (MEL) | ||||||||||||
Australian National anthem | Sarah De Bono | ||||||||||||
Referee | Tony Archer Ben Cummins Paul Holland (Touch Judge) Russell Turner (Touch Judge) | ||||||||||||
Attendance | 82,976[1] | ||||||||||||
Broadcast partners | |||||||||||||
Broadcasters | |||||||||||||
Commentators | |||||||||||||
The 2012 NRL Grand Final was the conclusive and premiership-deciding game of the 2012 NRL season. Played on Sunday, 30 September at Sydney's ANZ Stadium between the minor premiers Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the second-placed Melbourne Storm. Melbourne won the match 14–4 in a tight contest to claim their second premiership title after their 2007 and 2009 titles were stripped due to major salary cap breaches.
Background
[edit]This was the fourth time the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs and Melbourne Storm have faced each other in a finals series and the first in a grand final. It was the fifth time in the past seven seasons the Melbourne Storm featured in a grand final, although they were playing for their second official title. The Canterbury side played in their first decider since 2004 when they defeated the Sydney Roosters to win their last premiership. It was also the third time coaches Craig Bellamy and Des Hasler oversaw their sides in a premiership decider after each claimed grand final success in their 2007 and 2008 meetings.
Bulldogs | Storm | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rd.1 | Panthers | Raiders | ||||||||
Rd.2 | Dragons | Rabbitohs | ||||||||
Rd.3 | Warriors | Titans | ||||||||
Rd.4 | Knights | Roosters | ||||||||
Rd.5 | Titans | Knights | ||||||||
Rd.6 | Rabbitohs | Cowboys | ||||||||
Rd.7 | Storm | Bulldogs | ||||||||
Rd.8 | Sea Eagles | Warriors | ||||||||
Rd.9 | Eels | Panthers | ||||||||
Rd.10 | Titans | Sharks | ||||||||
Rd.11 | Sharks | Bye | ||||||||
Rd.12 | Roosters | Broncos | ||||||||
Rd.13 | Rabbitohs | Warriors | ||||||||
Rd.14 | Bye | Tigers | ||||||||
Rd.15 | Dragons | Sea Eagles | ||||||||
Rd.16 | Storm | Bulldogs | ||||||||
Rd.17 | Bye | Bye | ||||||||
Rd.18 | Tigers | Raiders | ||||||||
Rd.19 | Eels | Cowboys | ||||||||
Rd.20 | Sea Eagles | Eels | ||||||||
Rd.21 | Cowboys | Dragons | ||||||||
Rd.22 | Knights | Panthers | ||||||||
Rd.23 | Broncos | Titans | ||||||||
Rd.24 | Tigers | Broncos | ||||||||
Rd.25 | Raiders | Sharks | ||||||||
Rd.26 | Roosters | Tigers | ||||||||
QF | Sea Eagles | Rabbitohs | ||||||||
SF | DNP | DNP | ||||||||
PF | Rabbitohs | Sea Eagles | ||||||||
GF | Storm | Bulldogs | ||||||||
Legend: Win Loss |
Melbourne and Canterbury have faced each other twice in the regular season, with the Melbourne side beating Canterbury-Bankstown 12–6 in a tight match at Melbourne's home ground in AAMI Park in round 7 whilst Canterbury got over Melbourne later in round 16 with a score of 20–4 at Canterbury's non-traditional venue at Virgin Australia Stadium in Mackay, Queensland.
Tickets to the grand final were sold out by 22 August, more than two weeks before finals playoffs begun.[2]
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
[edit]The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs finished first on the regular season competition ladder, claiming the 2012 minor premiership with 18 wins from 24 matches and finishing on 40 premiership points. This was the club's 7th minor premiership in its history and its first since 1994. Canterbury's 2012 season was characterised by a 12-game winning streak from round 11 to round 24, which was eventually ended after a 34–6 defeat to the Canberra Raiders in round 25. This loss gave Melbourne a chance to claim the minor premiership, however a 42–10 win over the Sydney Roosters in round 26 ensured the Canterbury club finished first.
The Canterbury side began the 2012 finals series with a 16–10 win over the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles to ensure a preliminary final berth in week 3. They subsequently won this match 32–8 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs to qualify for the 2012 grand final against Melbourne.
This was Canterbury's 17th grand final appearance and the club's first since 2004.
Melbourne Storm
[edit]The Melbourne Storm finished second on the regular season competition leader just behind Canterbury-Bankstown on 38 premiership points, with 17 wins from 24 games. Melbourne's 2012 season was characterised by a 9-game winning streak from round 1 to round 9, making them early premiership favourites. The Melbourne club subsequently suffered a 5-game losing streak from round 16 to round 21, allowing Canterbury to overtake them to win the minor premiership. Despite this, the Melbourne club finished the season winning their last 5 consecutive matches to finish second.
Melbourne began week 1 of the finals with a 24–6 victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs to qualify for a preliminary final in week 3 against modern rivals the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. Melbourne won this match 40–12 to qualify for the 2012 NRL Grand Final against Canterbury-Bankstown.
This was the Melbourne club's fifth grand final appearance in seven seasons and its sixth appearance overall.
Team lists
[edit]Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |
Position | Melbourne Storm |
---|---|---|
Ben Barba | Fullback | Billy Slater |
Sam Perrett | Wing | Sisa Waqa |
Josh Morris | Centre | Dane Nielsen |
Krisnan Inu | Centre | Will Chambers |
Jonathan Wright | Wing | Justin O'Neill |
Josh Reynolds | Five-eighth | Gareth Widdop |
Kris Keating | Halfback | Cooper Cronk |
Aiden Tolman | Prop | Jesse Bromwich |
Michael Ennis (c) | Hooker | Cameron Smith (c) |
Sam Kasiano | Prop | Bryan Norrie |
Frank Pritchard | 2nd Row | Kevin Proctor |
Josh Jackson | 2nd Row | Ryan Hoffman |
Greg Eastwood | Lock | Todd Lowrie |
James Graham | Interchange | Sika Manu |
Dale Finucane | Interchange | Ryan Hinchcliffe |
Corey Payne | Interchange | Jaiman Lowe |
David Stagg | Interchange | Richie Fa'aoso |
Des Hasler | Coach | Craig Bellamy |
Note: Kevin Proctor swapped with Sika Manu from his interchange spot before the match.
Match details
[edit]Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | 4 – 14 | Melbourne Storm |
---|---|---|
Tries: 1 Perrett 25' Goals: Inu (0/1) |
1st: 4–14 2nd: 0–0 Report |
Tries: 3 Hoffman 7' Slater 32' O'Neill 39' Goals: 1 Smith 32' (1/3) |
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 82,976 Referees: Tony Archer, Ben Cummins Clive Churchill Medal: Cooper Cronk (Melbourne) |
1st half
[edit]Melbourne began the first half with all the early possession, punishing a number of errors by Canterbury-Bankstown with several repeat sets. The relentless pressure was rewarded with a 7th minute try to Ryan Hoffman, bursting through a yawning gap after taking Gareth Widdop's lovely short ball 10m out from the line to make it 4–0. Melbourne captain Cameron Smith missed the conversion. Melbourne continued to pressure Canterbury's try line over the next few minutes but they held strong, forcing Melbourne to attempt a penalty conversion which was missed by Smith.
The Canterbury side took this as a sign of respect to their brutal defense and went on the attack, resulting in a 25th minute try to Sam Perrett, who beat Melbourne fullback Billy Slater to Krisnan Inu's perfectly placed grubber kick. As Perrett dived over, Slater accidentally barged into him in his attempts to stop the try. Inu, reacting to what he thought was an illegal play by Slater, pushed Melbourne fullback away, sparking an all in brawl which led to one of the biggest controversies in Grand Final history. Once the fight was broken up, Slater claimed that he was bitten on the ear by Canterbury prop James Graham. Video showed the fullback had blood coming from his ear and replays confirmed the allegations, clearly showing Graham biting Slater's ear. Referee Tony Archer placed the incident on report and it was referred straight to the judiciary;[3] Graham later received a 12 match ban.[4] The try was awarded to Perrett, however, Inu missed the conversion and the score was locked at 4-4.
Melbourne used the controversial incident to spur them on, relaying the pressure on Canterbury. They capitalized in the 32nd minute where Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk delivering a sublime no look pass to Slater as he burst through a gap beating two defenders to cross for Melbourne, taking the score out to 10-4 after Smith's conversion. Melbourne were not done just yet, as they delivered the knockout blow a minute before halftime where Cronk supplied a pinpoint cross field bomb to Justin O’Neil who leapt over Canterbury fullback Ben Barba to score Melbourne's third try. Smith missed the conversion once more and Melbourne led 14–4 at halftime.
2nd half
[edit]The second half was a defensive slog. Melbourne didn't touch the ball in the opening 10 minutes, holding out set after set of Canterbury's attack. Canterbury captain Michael Ennis seemed to have scored in the 49th minute only to be denied by Cameron Smith holding him up. Melbourne went down the other end and Smith missed another penalty conversion, failing in his attempts to make it a two converted try lead. The closest the Canterbury side came to scoring was in the 61st minute where Barba made a break down the left hand wing, kicked over the top to centre Josh Morris, who failed to capitalise due to the bounce of the ball and Slater's desperate defending. Melbourne prop Brian Norrie appeared to have scored a try in the 70th minute, diving over after Slater batted back Cronk's bomb, however it was to be denied as Norrie was offside. Melbourne held on to win the Grand Final 14–4. Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal for his man of the match performance.
The crowd of 82,976 was the highest Grand Final attendance at ANZ Stadium ever since it was re-constructed in 2002 and it was the first Grand Final to have a scoreless half of play. Melbourne's 2012 triumph was their 2nd legitimate title. The result also saw Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy take home his first valid championship.
Aftermath
[edit]The Melbourne Storm's premiership victory qualified them to compete against the Super League XVII champions, Leeds Rhinos in the 2013 World Club Challenge.
References
[edit]- ^ Jancetic, Steve (30 September 2012). "Storm win NRL decider 14-4 over Bulldogs". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ^ skynews.com.au (22 August 2012). "NRL Grand Final sold out". Sky News. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ^ "Storm fullback Billy Slater's ear appears to show bite marks". Retrieved 4 September 2013.
- ^ "Graham Judiciary". Herald Sun. [dead link]