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globalrugbyleague - Sat, 03 Feb 2007 15:21:00 GMTMEET MR SIX
Wayne
Bennett now has six reasons to smile after the Brisbane
Broncos saved one of the greatest end of season performances for their 15-8
Grand Final win over the Melbourne
Storm at Telstra Stadium on Sunday night.
Continuing the tradition of cursing the minor premiers, the Broncos carved
Wayne Bennett's place in history as the greatest all-time Rugby League coach
after becoming the third side to win the competition from third place.
"It was a very gutsy and very couragous win. It wasn't a flash game but in
the end we didn't let them play flash either," the new king of Rugby
League coaching told the post-match media.
Rugby League's first interstate grand final also afforded a fitting fairytale
farewell for Broncos prop, Shane Webcke who like Mal Meninga, Royce Simmons,
Mick Cronin and Ray Price, retired with a premiership.
"There's not much better than going out a Grand Final winner. It is an
honour and a privilege," Webcke said in probably one of his last few media
statements.
The 32-year-old, who made his first grade debut against North
Sydney in 1995, has vowed not to take up a post-game career in the
media though his loyal followers will be hoping for more appearances in Hammer
Reef Rum commercials.
It was a tough night for the Melbourne Storm who after trailing 8-4 at half-time
scored first in the second forty to even the scoreboard at 8-all .
That was before a 60th minute penalty goal to Corey Parker and a follow up try
to Brent Tate try in the right corner put all the pressure in the Storm's
corner.
Storm centre Matt King was then given the red light from the video hreferee who
ruled no try after King appeared to score off a Cooper Cronk bomb with some
help from Justin Hodges touching the ball.
The news then got worse for Melbourne
with Captain and in-form hooker, Cameron Smith leaving the field after picking
up a knee injury.
Broncos five-eighth, Darren Lockyer made a good point in the end, moving the
match winning lead out to 7-points after kicking a long-range field goal in the
72minute of play.
Without the leadership of Smith, the chance to win their second NRL premiership
was gone and with it the chance to give Melbourne
their first premiership in either of the football codes since 2000.
In the end, the Broncos sixth title came down to the individual class of Lockyer
and the experience and guts of Shane Webcke.
Unfortunately not all departing stars left on a high with Storm five-eighth
Scott Hill forced to endure missing out on his second and final crack at
winning a premiership in his 200th first grade game before heading off to the
English Super League next season.
Gracious in defeat, losing coach Craig Bellamy - outcoached by his master
mentor in the game that really counted - added that the defeat 'wouldn't
detract from what the boys have achieved this season we've had.'
Brisbane Broncos 15
(J Hodges B Tate tries; D Lockyer 2 C Parker goals D Lockyer field goal) MELBOURNE
STORM 8 (S Turner M King tries) Referee: P Simpkins. Crowd:
79,609 at Telstra Stadium. - Read More, Here
Wayne
Bennett now has six reasons to smile after the Brisbane
Broncos saved one of the greatest end of season performances for their 15-8
Grand Final win over the Melbourne
Storm at Telstra Stadium on Sunday night.
Continuing the tradition of cursing the minor premiers, the Broncos carved
Wayne Bennett's place in history as the greatest all-time Rugby League coach
after becoming the third side to win the competition from third place.
"It was a very gutsy and very couragous win. It wasn't a flash game but in
the end we didn't let them play flash either," the new king of Rugby
League coaching told the post-match media.
Rugby League's first interstate grand final also afforded a fitting fairytale
farewell for Broncos prop, Shane Webcke who like Mal Meninga, Royce Simmons,
Mick Cronin and Ray Price, retired with a premiership.
"There's not much better than going out a Grand Final winner. It is an
honour and a privilege," Webcke said in probably one of his last few media
statements.
The 32-year-old, who made his first grade debut against North
Sydney in 1995, has vowed not to take up a post-game career in the
media though his loyal followers will be hoping for more appearances in Hammer
Reef Rum commercials.
It was a tough night for the Melbourne Storm who after trailing 8-4 at half-time
scored first in the second forty to even the scoreboard at 8-all .
That was before a 60th minute penalty goal to Corey Parker and a follow up try
to Brent Tate try in the right corner put all the pressure in the Storm's
corner.
Storm centre Matt King was then given the red light from the video hreferee who
ruled no try after King appeared to score off a Cooper Cronk bomb with some
help from Justin Hodges touching the ball.
The news then got worse for Melbourne
with Captain and in-form hooker, Cameron Smith leaving the field after picking
up a knee injury.
Broncos five-eighth, Darren Lockyer made a good point in the end, moving the
match winning lead out to 7-points after kicking a long-range field goal in the
72minute of play.
Without the leadership of Smith, the chance to win their second NRL premiership
was gone and with it the chance to give Melbourne
their first premiership in either of the football codes since 2000.
In the end, the Broncos sixth title came down to the individual class of Lockyer
and the experience and guts of Shane Webcke.
Unfortunately not all departing stars left on a high with Storm five-eighth
Scott Hill forced to endure missing out on his second and final crack at
winning a premiership in his 200th first grade game before heading off to the
English Super League next season.
Gracious in defeat, losing coach Craig Bellamy - outcoached by his master
mentor in the game that really counted - added that the defeat 'wouldn't
detract from what the boys have achieved this season we've had.'
Brisbane Broncos 15
(J Hodges B Tate tries; D Lockyer 2 C Parker goals D Lockyer field goal) MELBOURNE
STORM 8 (S Turner M King tries) Referee: P Simpkins. Crowd:
79,609 at Telstra Stadium. - Read More, Here