The 2007 NRL Grand Final was the conclusive, premiership-deciding match of the 2007 NRL season. Played between the first-placed Melbourne Storm and second-placed Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Telstra Stadium on September 30, in front of 81,392 spectators. It was the fourth NRL Grand Final played between the first and second placed teams, and the first in three years. The pre-match entertainment included performances from Hoodoo Gurus and Shannon Noll. Player, coach and commentator Frank Hyde was honoured during the half-time break with a video-tribute as well as a minute's silence prior to the Premier League Grand Final.[1]
The match would also turn out to be the final grand final played at night, with grand finals switching to the 5pm timeslot from season 2008. This match was also the most-watched television program on Australian TV for 2007.
On 22 April 2010, Melbourne were stripped of this premiership due to salary cap breaches during the 2006-10 seasons.
First half
The Storm crossed early in the first half with a try to winger Anthony Quinn via a slick back-line movement that involved 3 decoy runners to lead 6–0. Another set play midway through the first half saw the Storm extend the scoreline to 10–0 with a barging try to five-eighth Greg Inglis. Seconds before halftime, Manly centre Steve Matai crossed in the corner to take the deficit back to six points. The half-time score read 10-4 to the Storm, with many surprised at how the scoreline was so close considering Melbourne's dominance.
Second half
The second half started with major controversy after Manly fullback Brett Stewart was knocked unconscious by a massive hit from Storm players Michael Crocker and Billy Slater attempting to catch a bomb. He did not return to the field. Straight after this, the Storm extended their lead to 14–4 with a try to Crocker. Two quick tries soon after by Storm players Matt King and Greg Inglis took the score out to 22–4 and the game looked set for a Storm victory. King barged over with a trademark Storm decoy play, while Inglis scored the try of the match with a vintage long range 60m run and powerful fend to post his second.
Manly soon pegged the score back to 22–8 with a nice try to winger Chris Hicks but it seemed too little too late for the Sea-Eagles. Melbourne then scored two late tries to second-rower Clint Newton and another for Anthony Quinn to finally take the scoreline to 34–8. Storm captain Cameron Smith had a horror night with the boot, kicking 3 from 8 (including a missed penalty goal), but this had no bearing on the final outcome.
Inglis was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal for best on field.[2] It was the second ever premiership for the Storm and erased the heartache of losing the 2006 NRL Grand Final to the Brisbane Broncos. It was coach Craig Bellamy's first premiership title, and capped a remarkable season for the Storm, who lost only 3 matches and achieved their most successful season since their foundation. The 34–8 Grand Final score was the second highest grand final margin in Australian rugby league history.
34 |
Melbourne Storm |
|---|---|
| Tries | 2 Quinn 2 Inglis 1 Crocker 1 King 1 Newton |
| Goals | 3/8 Smith |
8 |
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles |
| Tries | 1 Matai 1 Hicks |
| Goals | 0/2 Orford |
Half time: Storm 8 – 0
Clive Churchill Medallist: Greg Inglis
Referee: Tony Archer
Venue: Telstra Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 81,392[3]
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