Every NRL Grand Final has a feel-good backstory. Last years was Cronulla winning their maiden premiership. The year before fan favourite Jonathan Thurston finally led North Queensland to their first premiership. South Sydney won their first comp in over four decades. But this yearโs Grand Final, thereโs a great fairytale on both sides of the coin.
North Queensland was never meant to be here. Co-captains Matt Scott and Jonathan Thurston both copped season-ending injuries, which was supposed to be the red line ruled through them. Then, after losing to Brisbane in the final regular round of the season, all St George Illawarra had to do was beat the Bulldogs and the Cowboys wouldโve finished 9th. Alas, Canterbury ran out victors and the Cowboys โlimpedโ into the finals.
They defeated the premiers Cronulla 15-14 in extra time, sent Parramatta out in straight sets with a 24-16 victory. Finally, they took on the 2ndย placed Roosters in a match where they werenโt given a hope in hell. Eighty minutes later, the Cowboys were off to the grand final on the back of a 29-16 win, inspired by the likes of Michael Morgan, Jason Taumalolo and Kyle Feldt.
Starting the finals series at a whopping $81 to win the premiership with TAB, no team that finished the regular season in 8thย has ever won the Premiership before. With no Thurston and possibly no Matt Scott, the Cowboys are only one win away from creating NRL history.
On the other side of the coin are the heavy favourites the Melbourne Storm. Ever since 2004, Melbourneโs โbig threeโ consisting of Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and Cameron Smith has ran circles around the rest of the competition. This Sunday afternoon, they play their last game in a Storm jersey together. Cronk is departing the club heโs played over 320 NRL games to move to Sydney to be closer to fiancรฉe Tara Rushton. Billy Slater will run out for game 299, and without a contract for 2018 so far, this could be his Melbourne farewell as well.
Having played together for over fifteen years, isnโt it fitting that โthe big threeโ end their club careers together hoisting a premiership trophy?
In another positive statistic for Melbourne fans, every year that Melbourne has lost an NRL Grand Final, theyโve won the premiership the next year. Brisbane beat them in 2006, only for Melbourne to claim victory over Manly in 2007. Manly had their revenge in 2008, so Melbourne claimed a victory over Parramatta in the 2009 decider. Who lost last yearโs grand final? You guessed it, the Melbourne Storm.
Whether Melbourne sends out Cooper Cronk and possibly Billy Slater as the champions they are, or whether North Queensland can become the first ever team to win from the 8thย spot, regardless the NRL has another feel-good story just days away.
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