Melbourne Storm clinched their second title in the space of three years with a 23-16 win over Parramatta in the NRL Grand Final.
Former Saints boss Anderson suffers final heartbreak again
Melbourne Storm clinched their second title in the space of three years with a hard-fought 23-16 win over Parramatta in the NRL Grand Final.
Craig Bellamy's side erased the memory of last year's 40-0 loss at the hands of Manly as they came out on top in a see-saw battle.
The Storm had looked set to run out comfortable winners when they held a 22-6 lead with just 10 minutes to play in Sydney.
However the Eels - who had won 10 of their last 11 matches to reach the final - climbed off the canvas to pull within six points, setting up a tense finish.
In the end a late drop goal from centre Greg Inglis calmed Melbourne's nerves, the centre having earlier scored a try in the 49th minute.
Sizeable cushion
Billy Slater, who claimed the Clive Churchill Medal as the man of the match, followed his fellow Australia international in touching down and Cameron Smith's third conversion gave the Storm a sizeable cushion.
In the end they needed it, the Eels rallying with two tries in as many minutes from Joel Reddy and Fuifui Moimoi to add to Eric Grothe's earlier effort.
Luke Burt managed to add only one conversion, though, and with the clock running out a debatable penalty on Slater set up Inglis for a one-pointer.
Defeat denied Parramatta a first title since 1986 and meant coach Daniel Anderson suffered Grand Final heartache yet again having lost out at the same stage in the last two years with St Helens in the engage Super League.
In contrast Melbourne - finalists for the past four seasons - have now been crowned champions three times since their inception in 1998.
