Melbourne Storm are undisputed NRL champions on and off the field, writes Buzz Rothfield

WE are no longer to call them salary cap rorters or wrestling cheats. Melbourne Storm are now the undisputed champions of the NRL.

The Storm blew North Queensland away in typically emphatic fashion in the grand final.

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WE are no longer to call them salary cap rorters or wrestling cheats.

Melbourne Storm are now the undisputed champions of the NRL and the bad old days are a distant memory.

This is magnificent football club and the benchmark rugby league franchise.

The Storm blew North Queensland away in typically emphatic fashion in the grand final.

As good as any premiership winning side I’ve ever seen.

Parramatta in the 80s had Sterling, Price, Kenny, Ella, Grothe and Cronin.

The Broncos had Langer, Walters, Renouf, and Lazarus.

Storm is the complete football side and a whole lot more than just Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater.

Brilliantly coached with a wonderful culture.

Cooper Cronk has played his last for the Storm but even his departure can be dealt with.

The 18-nil halftime lead was a fair indication of the difference between these two teams.

It should have been 24-nil but for Jesse Bromwich butchering a try in the opening minutes.

The Cowboys made it to the grand final on courage and an error-free game.

GRAND FINAL MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

That can get you so far but grand finals come down to class, champions and wonderful skills.

Storm’s first try says a lot about the way this team is coached.

That dashing winger Josh Addo Carr had a license and the nous to come from his left side, back up Will Chambers, and then scorch down the right side to open the scoring.

Josh Addo-Carr went over twice at scorching and devastating pace.

This is a player not wanted at the Cronulla Sharks or the Wests Tigers.

Yet he comes into the Storm system and becomes arguably the best finisher in the game.

Storm jumped to 12-nil so predictably. Through the slick hands of Smith then Cronk then Slater and onto the hugely underrated Felise Kaufusi.

The opening has been created and he crashes over.

“It’s a privilege to watch them,” says Andrew Johns of the big three on Channel Nine.

Bloody oath it is Joey.

Billy Slater epitomises Melbourne’s class in everything he does on a footy field.

Not that the Cowboys were done. They kept the scoreboard interesting with a try in the 48th minute as Te Maire Martin stepped through to touch down.

(Oh Gus, imagine if you’d had him against the Broncos two weeks back)

The Cowboys were as brave as ever but busted.

A month of brutal sudden death football had finally taken its toll.

They tried all night and did coach Paul Green and their army of fans proud.

To think what may have been with Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott.

But take nothing away from the champions. They are the benchmark club both on and off the field.

They have the best ownership model in the competition with shareholders Gerry Ryan, Bart Campbell and Matt Tripp — three of the most astute businessmen in the country.

And they have established such a fantastic brand in a city that is all AFL.

Sure they’ll miss Cronk but have a special youngster coming through in Brodie Croft.

Think Addo-Carr, Suliasi Vunivalu. Will Chambers, Curtis Scott and the outstanding five-eighth Cameron Munster. And the forwards … Jesse Bromwich, Dale Finucane and Kaufusi.

This side will be up top and challenging for more titles for many years to come.