Kevin Proctor of the Storm is tackled during the round 26 NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the Cronulla Sharks.
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The victor will take home the minor premiership and $100,000 in prizemoney.
Earlier in the evening, 2015 champions North Queensland Cowboys’ win over Gold Coast Titans handed them fourth spot so they will fly to AAMI Park for a qualifying final next weekend, a year ago the Cowboys beat the Storm at the same stadium in a preliminary final.
“In recent years they’ve had a pretty good record down in Melbourne and when you win a competition you don’t fear any team or any venue and we’re aware of that”.
The victor of the Storm-Cowboys final will have week two off and move straight through to the preliminary final.
But the Storm had the same mindset and Cameron Smith squared the ledger four minutes later after opposing Paul Gallen walked back through the ruck.
Penalty goals to Sharks pivot James Maloney in the 11th and Storm captain Cameron Smith in the 14th minutes was the result of some strong defence and a mutual respect these teams have for each other at this stage of the season.
Too good: Cheyse Blair dives in to score.
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan isn’t sweating on Michael Ennis missing their NRL qualifying final against Canberra after his suspect hit on Melbourne five-eighth Blake Green.
It allowed the Storm to take 10-2 lead into half-time, but that was extended 90 seconds into the second half when Blair powered over for his second try of the night.
Sharks utility Joseph Paulo was lost on 36 minutes when he went down awkwardly clutching his knee, he wouldn’t return nor would Heighington.
This is the most tries any Melbourne Storm player has ever scored in one season.
The Storm celebrated the tackle like it was a try.
Vunivalu breaks Folau’s record for most tries in one seasonBy Semi Turaga Sunday 04/09/2016Suliasi Vunivalu scores a try for the Storm.
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Back-to-back sets on their own try line saw the visitors finally get over the line with Gerard Beale scoring on the left side to make it 20-6 with 10 minutes to play.
