Brisbane wins NRL grand final 15-8 - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Brisbane wins NRL grand final 15-8

By Steve Jancetic 01/10/2006 09:24:30 PM Comments (0)

Brisbane gave retiring prop Shane Webcke the perfect send off and ensured their perfect grand final record was kept intact with a spirited 15-8 win over NRL minor premiers Melbourne at Telstra Stadium.

Up 8-4 at the break, both sides scored a try apiece in the second stanza before a Darren Lockyer field goal with seven minutes remaining ensured victory, Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett now the coach with the best winning record in grand final history with his sixth win, all with the Broncos.

For the Storm the loss takes the gloss of what was a stunning romp through the regular season, Melbourne becoming on the second team after Manly in 1983 to lose a grand final after winning the regular season by eight points or more.

Down 14-8 with 14 minutes on the clock, the Storm thought they had levelled the match when Matt King appeared to cross for his second try of the night after cleaning up a Cooper Cronk kick, their celebrations cut short by video referee Bill Harrigan who ruled Ryan Hoffman had knocked-on in the lead up.

Having kept the Broncos waiting for about five minutes before they finally took to the field, the Storm wasted little time in gaining the ascendancy with halfback Cronk making a long break downfield early.

Despite their early advantage it was the Broncos who went up 2-0 via Lockyer, Brisbane awarded a dubious penalty in front of the Storm's posts when Clive Churchill medallist Shaun Berrigan appeared to lose the ball as he tried to push his way over from short range.

Cronk continued his bright early start with a 40-20 which put the Storm on the attack again, halves partner Scott Hill ensuring this opportunity wasn't wasted as he beat three players before delivering a one arm offload for Steve Turner to go over out wide.

But a knock-on from a Lockyer bomb meant Turner's moment in the sun was shortlived, the Storm flyer made to pay dearly for the error when a beautifully worked move between Shaun Berrigan and his skipper gave Justin Hodges an easy passage to the line.

Billy Slater then brought the crowd to its feet with a kick return which evoked memories of Benji Marshall's effort in last year's grand final, but there was no flick pass or try on the end of this 70 metre effort, only a Matt Geyer fumble which released the pressure on a ragged Broncos line.

Knowing his side would need plenty more points to overcome the Storm, Lockyer declined a shot at goal three minutes out from the break in pursuit of a four-pointer which never eventuated, Brisbane talking an 8-4 lead into the sheds.

Brisbane started the second period with plenty of enterprise before a slashing 50 metre run from Greg Inglis put the Storm on the front foot.

Melbourne received a second crack at the Brisbane line when Hodges was penalised for a high shot on Cameron Smith.

Hill was again heavily involved in putting Matt King over with a delicate short ball to lock it up at 8-8.

The Broncos edged ahead just short of the hour mark through a Corey Parker penalty and were soon up by six when Brent Tate finished off a desperate last play option, Lockyer running the ball on the last tackle after initially looking to get a kick in, Parker unable to land the sideline conversion which would have put his side up by more than a converted try.

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