Storm v Broncos: Five things we learned

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED: Brilliant Billy Slater sparked the Storm past the Broncos, and he raised an even bigger question in the process.

Matt Gillett is wrapped up by the Storm defence.

THE Storm are the first team into the NRL grand final after crushing the Broncos in their preliminary final at AAMI Park.

Here’s what we learned from Melbourne’s 30-0 thumping of Brisbane.

1. It was fitting that Billy Slater’s try sealed the Storm’s grand final berth. Now the big question is will Slater retire if the Storm win the premiership? Slater remains off-contract and a premiership finale would be the perfect finale for the code’s greatest ever fullback. He should escape suspension for his high tackle on a slipping Benji Marshall.

Billy Slater celebrates scoring a try for the Storm against the Broncos.

2. The Broncos need to sort out their halves if they want to break their 11-year title drought. Anthony Milford was dangerous at times but he and Kodi Nikorima still lack the consistent game management to make Brisbane a true premiership force.

3. Cooper Cronk farewelled AAMI Park with one of the toughest performances of the season. Cronk was hammered nearly every time he passed the ball by Broncos enforcers Adam Blair, Sam Thaiday and Josh McGuire. He only stayed down once, when Blair hit him late from behind in a tackle which was penalised.

Cooper Cronk was targeted by the Broncos defence.

4. The Broncos need a big front-rower if they want to challenge the NRL’s meanest forward packs. Melbourne mammoths Jordan McLean, Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona monstered the Broncos when they fired up through the middle. Brisbane is hoping to have former Tigers prop Matt Lodge on its books next year and he would be a crucial signing.

5. The Broncos were well and truly in the contest for the opening 38 minutes until Storm winger Josh Addo-Carr raced away to score on the stroke of half-time. The Broncos dominated field possession and couldn’t score before Addo-Carr’s try crushed their enthusiasm and season.