NRL Grand Final Player Ratings: Cowboys v Storm
A NEAR perfect performance from Cameron Smith has steered Melbourne to the NRL title. See who else starred and who flopped in our grand final players ratings.
Storm
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MATCH REPORT: SUPER STORM CROWNED 2017 PREMIERS
THE Melbourne Storm have beaten the North Queensland Cowboys 34-6 in the NRL grand final to claim the 2017 premiership.
See who starred and who flopped in our grand final player ratings:
MELBOURNE STORM
1 Billy Slater: Vintage Slater: Capped a remarkable comeback season by scoring a try and setting up another. Did not make a handling error and looked threatening every time he touched the ball. 8.5
2 Suliasi Vunivalu: Early handling error coming out of his own end but managed to settle himself after that. Did not get the space he has enjoyed at times during the year. 6
3 Will Chambers: Deft off-load to set up Addo-Carr’s opening try. Created plenty of headaches for opposite Justin O’Neill. Very tough performance. 8.5
4 Curtis Scott: Had limited chances with the ball but tried to make his mark with every carry. Did not give an inch in defence. Was rewarded for his efforts with a try. 7
5 Josh Addo-Carr: Raced 75 metres to score the opening try, running away from the Cowboys defence with his pure speed. Laid on another try for Curtis Scott with a late off-load and scored one. Perfect winger’s game. 8.5
6 Cameron Munster: Solid without overplaying his hand. Allowed his forwards to take charge. Was sound defensively but may have not done enough to book himself a debut Test jersey. 6.5
7 Cooper Cronk: Ever the general but not a standout in his final outing in Storm colours. Kicked well and settled his team down. Had a hand in one try. 7
8 Jesse Bromwich: Bombed a certain try in the opening exchanges but really help lay the platform for the Storm. His second stint was strong. 7
9 Cameron Smith: What else would you expect from the game’s greatest player. The best player on the field. Ran, kicked, and laid on a try. Remarkable performance. 9.5
10 Jordan McLean: Huge performance as he pushed for a Kangaroos jersey. Outgunned opposite Jason Taumalolo and was the best prop on the field. 8.5
11 Felise Kaufusi: Ran a perfect line to score the Storm’s second try. Was solid holding up the Storm’s right edge. 7.5
12 Tohu Harris: Made an early line-beak and produced possibly his best Storm performance in what was his final game before joining the Warriors. Set up a try. Ensured that his last grand final for a while was enjoyable 9
13 Dale Finucane: Celebrated his premiership drought with a try. Well deserved grand final winner in his fourth performance. Helped lay the platform early. 7.5
14 Kenny Bromwich: Did his job like he has done all year. Plugged the middle of the field when he came on for the starting props. Error free. 6
15 Tim Glasby: Another solid performance from the Queensland representative. Stint was cut short because of a concussion test but returned. 6
16 Nelson Asofa-Solomona: Big man who made a huge impact when he came onto the field. The Cowboys struggled to control the Storm prop. Only interchange player to make more than 100 metres. 7
17 Slade Griffin: Had limited game time. Did not see any action until the game was won. 3
TOTAL: 123
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
1 Lachlan Coote: Strong again at the back. Did not make an error. Struggled to come into the game with the ball but was among the Cowboys best. 7
2 Kyle Feldt: Hard for a winger to play any real part when opportunities are limited. Made plenty of dummy half carries. 6
3 Justin O’Neill: Had a great battle with opposite Chambers. Missed him once but aside from that kept Chambers relatively contained. Did not get the same amount of space as Chambers did. 6
4 Kane Linnett: Dropped a pass which led to a try. Contained his opposite Scott but did not have a real say on the outcome of the game. 5
5 Antonio Winterstein: Fumbled a simple kick in the dying stages of the first half which ended up costing his side a try. Did plenty of work coming out of the Cowboys end. 5.5
6 Te Maire Martin: Struggled defensively but scored the Cowboys only try. Did not create enough opportunities with his kicking game. 5.5
7 Michael Morgan: Poor kicking game. Could not replicate his magical performances which helped guide the Cowboys to a grand final. Laid on their only try. 6
17 Shaun Fensom: Started the game but his long wait for a grand final appearance was shattered after just three minutes when he suffered a horrific leg injury after colliding with teammate Ethan Lowe. … 1
9 Jake Granville: Made a remarkable try-saving tackle on Jesse Bromwich in the opening exchanges. Busy at dummy half but his forwards did not give him any space to take advantage of. 6.5
10 Scott Bolton: Solid as ever. Defended well but never troubled the Storm defence. Has been enormous for the Cowboys this year. 6
11 Gavin Cooper: Led from the front despite the heavy loss. Made 41 tackles — the most of any Cowboys player. Limited impact with the ball 7
12 Ethan Lowe: Saved a try when covering a Cooper Cronk kick but like the rest of his side never had a chance to showcase his skills with the ball. 7
13 Jason Taumalolo: The wrecking ball was nullified for the first time in this years finals campaign. Has consistently run for more than 200 metres per game this year but only made 101 in the biggest game of the year. 6
8 John Asiata: Has played on bravely with a broken hand. His footwork caused some problems for the Storm defenders in the middle of the field. 6.5
14 Ben Hampton: Another grand final heartache. After losing while playing for the Storm last year, only saw limited minutes. 4
15 Coen Hess: Injected early into the game following the injury to Fensom. Could not dent the line like he had done for so much of the season. 6
16 Corey Jenson: Very busy off the interchange bench making 39 tackles — more than any other bench player. Had to do more work because of the injury to Fensom. 6.5
TOTAL 97.5