Was a good effort from the Storm. In particular their ability to defend after half-time when Cronulla threw everything they had at them. Cooper Cronk was outstanding. Big turn around by the Storm in terms of their kicking game on the Bronco's match. Some (Sydney media more likely) will point to the number of errors by Cronulla. However errors are caused by pressure and the Storm forced this upon their opponents by forcing sticking them under the blowtorch. Highlight of the night was the penalty awarded for a 'grapple' tackle that clearly wasn't one. I saw highlight because I think it helps to prove the overreaction to this topic. Hopefully the touchies won't be so quick to step in with the wrong call next week. Good luck Storm boys! And have a wonderful time Lauren.

Have an awesome time there Lauren, ill be watching on tv for sure. GO THE STORM.

Cheers guys, hopefully the dopey *$%s at ch9 play it LIVE AND UN-INTERUPTED! but doubt it Grand final deja vu as Folau makes it two from two Monday, September 29, 2008 SOME footballers play their entire careers and never reach a grand final. Others like Israel Folau know no different. The Melbourne centre will attempt to complete two memorable seasons at the Storm with a second premiership in next week's decider against Manly. Brisbane bound next season, Folau says he is determined to not only complete the perfect Victorian adventure but also send other teammates Matt Geyer (retiring), Jeremy Smith (St George Illawarra) and Michael Crocker (Hull FC) out winners. "It would mean a lot to me. I just want to leave on a good note especially with a few players leaving the club," said Folau. "I want to try and make it as special as I can with those guys and with Matty Geyer retiring at the end of the year. "It's been talked about a little bit but everyone knows that and we're a tight bunch here and we will go out and play for each other. "It is unreal for me (to play in two grand finals in as many years). I think I have to thank my teammates for that. "It's been a good year for us and we just have to try and get ready for next week." The 19-year-old Queensland and Test star was a sensation in his 2007 rookie season to be the club's leading try-scorer and become the youngest Australian representative. But 2008 has been somewhat of a battle as the powerful teenager became more an opposition target and his contract negotiations between the Broncos and Storm took their toll. Defensively he was caught out against the New Zealand Warriors in the shock loss two weeks ago but he has rebounded with two superb games against Brisbane and Cronulla to regain his confidence ahead of the decider. Although he has already played in one grand final, two Tests and three State of Origins, Folau says he will be nervous ahead of his final game for the Storm. "The grand final is the biggest game and there will always be nerves there and I'm looking forward to it," he said. Lyon expects an Inglis uprising Monday, September 29, 2008 GREG Inglis has one Clive Churchill medal in his collection and Manly five-eighth Jamie Lyon is expecting the Melbourne superstar to snap out of his finals funk and produce another five-star display in Sunday night's grand final at ANZ Stadium. Inglis has had a quiet finals series, but the Sea Eagles players haven't been lulled into a false sense of security, tipping the Storm No 6 is ready to produce the form which dismantled Manly in last year's grand final. Inglis was a clear-cut man-of-the-match 12 months ago to win the Clive Churchill medal and ending any doubt over the merits of his switch to five-eighth. Lyon, who was outstanding for Manly as it moved into the grand final with a 32-6 win over the Warriors at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night, is bracing for Inglis to be at his best come Sunday night. "He's that type of player where he can turn a game," Lyon said. "Last year, he got man-of-the-match, the Clive Churchill medal. He's going to be great on the night. It's good, you want to play on the good players. I'm looking forward to marking up on him. It's going to be a great occasion. "I expect him to be up there with the best player on the field again. He's that type of player. He just plays off instinct he's big, he's strong and he's fast. He's got every trick in the book. He's a typical game-breaker. I'm pretty certain now when I say he's going to be one of the best on the park." Lyon isn't the only person expecting Inglis to come alive in the grand final. Warriors pair Brent Tate and Steve Price believe their Queensland and Australian team-mate is ready to showcase his liking for the big stage. Price pointed to Inglis's performance for Queensland in State of Origin II as an example of how lethal the Storm pivot can be. "He's just got to be involved in the game," Price said. "He's certainly trying hard and I'm sure he's working on things at training. The game hasn't gone his way, but he's still come up with some magical touches. "You saw how good he was last year in the grand final, so if he gets a bit of time and space, I'd be very worried." Warriors centre Tate also believed Inglis was on the verge of a match-winning performance. "I think last year he showed what he can do on the big stage," Tate said. "They've got so many great individuals and they're a very talented side. If their forwards start getting a roll-on, those guys come into the game and anything can happen." Lyon has had mixed success on Inglis in the past. Like his teammates, he had no answer 12 months ago. On that night, Inglis wreaked havoc and the Sea Eagles have long memories, particularly those who were on the end of the famed Inglis fend. Inglis's right-arm fend is one of the most powerful in the business and he used it to telling effect as the Storm swamped Manly to win its second premiership. "I'm usually more on the right side, he's on the left side - we usually come up against each other," Lyon said. "He's hard to tackle. He's palmed me off a few times. His arms are as long as tree trunks. He's got every trick in the book and every skill in the book. "You want to play against those good players. But there are 16 other players out there. You can't single one player out. You have to do your homework. "You can't just mark up on him otherwise someone like Billy Slater is going to run straight up the guts and carve you up."

Now we just need the Storm to win, and stick it up those Sydney morons who still can't embrace a national competition - so much so that they rig the tribunal, and only fine Melbourne Storm officials!! GO STORM!

Free BBQ sounds alright! Should get a decent crowd with it being school holidays at the moment.

The free bbq they had at Docklands for the broncos final was awesome! They had it going from like an hour before the game showed and kept going all the way thru til aaaaages after the game finished. Usually dont bother with the signing session coz its too hectic with people pushing in and getting 6 things signed by each and every single player Then there's the other fans who are downright embarassing, they'll be talking with a player and hearing what they have to say.. you just cringe and you can tell that the player is being really nice and trying not to laugh But you get those kind of supporters at all clubs n footy codes

I was in the Storm social club after one game many years ago and was getting an autograph from Stephen Kearney. Some bloke next to us spilled some of his beer on the floor and big Kearney lost his patience! "I don't like idiots who spill their beer". Gold. Really it would be hard striking up a conversation with a sports player. After all you're basically complete strangers and lines like "Do you come here much?" don't really work!

Well depends what you choose to talk about really, funnily enough its usually Mum embarassing me in front of a hott player and they make a comment like 'That's what Mum's are for..' and it goes from there. Im just trying to find whereabouts the after-party will be this year :) hopefully they dont charge as much for drinks coz even a softdrink last year cost like $7