David Middleton’s 2018 Team of the Year

Fullback: James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)

Wingers: Valentine Holmes (Cronulla), Tom Trbojevic (Manly)

Centres: Latrell Mitchell (Sydney Roosters), Joseph Manu (Sydney Roosters)

Five-eighth: Cameron Munster (Melbourne)

Halfback: Adam Reynolds (South Sydney)

Props: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne)

Hooker: Damien Cook (South Sydney)

Second-rowers: Tyson Frizell (St George Illawarra), Felise Kaufusi (Melbourne)

Lock: Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland)

One-armed bandit: Cooper Cronk meets the fans after winning the grand final

“Imagine, for a moment, that your pet Labrador was in a similar position. Choc the dog broke his shoulder, but he has a huge dog show in a few days that you have been working towards all year. Do you inject little Choc with some anaesthetic and tell him to push on? Do you cheer as he howls in pain after leaping the hurdle? I don’t think so."The very idea of behaving in such a way is unimaginably cruel. As Choc’s owner, it’s your responsibility to
look after him. Shouldn’t there be someone to look after the welfare of Cooper Cronk?“The decision should not have been his to make. Of course he wanted to play. Rugby league players have shown time and time again that they cannot be responsible for their own safety . . .“This is not something to be celebrated. It’s something to be admonished. It’s not acceptable. Rugby league is already tough enough without these ridiculous acts of hyper-masculinity.”The writer goes on to decry the effect it must have had on the young’uns, encouraging them to ignore pain, too.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has given the ownership of the team to a polarising player

WITH Cameron Smith and a host of long-serving Kangaroos retiring from rep footy, coach Mal Meninga has anointed a new leader of the group.Interestingly, it is one of the game’s most maligned players — Daly Cherry-Evans.Cherry-Evans made his long-awaited return to the State of Origin arena in Game Three, and he was the best player on the park.But the Sea Eagles skipper’s career has been plagued by talk of personality clashes.He infamously punched on with then-teammate Jackson Hastings earlier this year, and it is widely believed
his three years in Origin exile largely stemmed from senior Maroons not wanting him in the squad.Also this year, former premiership-winning teammate Anthony Watmough opened up on his feud with Cherry-Evans, saying he “turned into a f***wit”.Greg Inglis was originally handed the captaincy of the Kangaroos before his drink-driving offence, and the honour was then handed to Boyd Cordner.And yet Meninga, sitting in the post-match press conference alongside Cherry-Evans, told reporters that it was the No.7’s team.“Daly will be our key guy,” Meninga said on Saturday.

Billy Slater booed by GF crowd

Hughes has also made a promising start to his first grade career, playing his best football as a fullback fill-in for Slater, while also showing his versatility in a stint at halfback this season.The 23-year-old is likely to get first crack at filling the massive shoes of Slater next season, with the Storm keen to show faith in a young star they have brought through from
the juniors.Hughes will remain with the Storm until 2021, while youngsters Scott Drinkwater, Justin Olam and Kayleb Milne have all been retained until 2020.Storm Football Director Frank Ponissi said the club was delighted to have all five players commit their futures in Melbourne."It is a terrific sign for the future of our football club that all five players see their playing futures here with us at the Melbourne Storm," Ponissi said.

Emotional Munster thanks Billy

In fact, speaking to Wide World of Sports for Immortal Behaviour, Johns said the Storm might have to "blow the club up and start again"."Cameron Smith hasn't really said if he's going to play on or not," Johns said."But it's the end of an era and you can't replace those players, so they have to blow the club up and start again, especially their attack, how they attack differently."For me I think they're about to come back to the field."Johns' prediction comes off the back of a grand final performance that had the Nine commentator scratching his head as he watched Melbourne fail to exploit an injured Cooper Cronk in an opening 30
minutes that he described as "the worst I've seen Melbourne Storm play for probably 10 years"."Once again, I called for it last year in Origin II when JT had hurt his shoulder," Johns said, pointing to the Blues' inability to target Johnathan Thurston."I couldn't believe Melbourne missed the opportunity to manipulate the injury and the weakness of Cooper Cronk. " ... they just had to get two big men opposite Cooper, to run inside and out Cooper, make him make tackles. Then what happens is, you manipulate the gaps on either side."The Storm's inability to get at Cronk played into the hands of the Roosters who flew out of the blocks and established a first half lead the Storm never looked capable of whittling down.

2018 NRL Melbourne Storm - 2019 outlook

People have tried writing off the Storm a few times in recent years and frankly it doesn't tend to work out well. Slater is an enormous loss but this is a club that lost Cooper Cronk and
made the grand final the following year. With Smith, Munster and Bellamy still around anything is possible and there are plenty of stars in both the forwards and the backs. Top four is a realistic possibility.

2018 NRL Melbourne Storm - Worst loss

Probably the most convincing loss of the year was the 34-14 pounding dished out by the then-high flying Dragons at Kogarah in round nine. Just a week after the above-mentioned thrashing of the Warriors, the Storm copped a serious reality check at the hands of the ladder leaders. Remarkably, despite the disparity in the scores, it only ended up four tries
to three as Josh Addo-Carr finished off a hat-trick late in the match with Gareth Widdop booting five penalty goals but in reality it felt as though the Dragons were pressing the Storm line all day as the Dragons' powerful forwards ran riot. And if we're talking worst losses, for a team notorious for showing up in big games to dish up what they did in the first 40 of the grand final will sting for some time.

2018 NRL Melbourne Storm - Best win

Certainly the biggest win was the 50-10 Anzac Day demolition of the Warriors. The eight-tries-to-two win was built off a six-tries-to-nil opening 40 in one of the slickest halves of footy by any team this season. However for best wins, it's hard to go past the professional way they dismantled the Sharks 22-6 at AAMI Park in the grand final qualifier. Cronulla have
been something of a bogey team for the Storm in recent years with the perfect game plan to put Craig Bellamy's men off their game – including in Melbourne where the 2016 premiers had won their previous two games. An admittedly under-strength Cronulla were never really in the contest though as a Billy Slater masterclass put them to the sword. Melbourne were up 22-0 with barely 10 minutes remaining when the Sharks finally broke their duck but it was too little too late as the Storm swept into the decider.

2018 NRL Melbourne Storm Best player

Five-eighth Cameron Munster – already a Test and Origin player before this season – really stepped up in Cronk's absence. With a rotating cast of No.7s beside him, Munster led from the front. He topped the club for try assists with 15 (next best was Billy Slater's 13) and line
break assists with 15 (Slater's seven was second-best). His 83 busts was second at the club behind winger Josh Addo-Carr and he also averaged 100 run metres and 125 kick metres per match with four tries and 21 offloads. Unfortunately he, like the club, saved one of the worst performances of the season for the grand final but they wouldn't have got there without him.

Cameron Smith's classy act for heartbroken rookie teammate

Brodie Croft has revealed a touching gesture from Cameron Smith after the Storm’s demoralising loss in the NRL grand final. Croft was in tears at full-time of Sunday night’s decider, shattered at the devastating defeat. But his captain soon found him to tell him it wasn’t as bad as it seemed. Smith went to all 16 teammates, most of which were sprawled on the ground in disappointment. And Croft has since revealed the kind words his skipper offered him.
“It was pretty tough to take in, especially the last few minutes of that match,” Croft told Fox Sports. “Smith was the first one to come to me and that was pretty big when he came over. “He had his hand on my shoulder and said I’m only young, it’s a game of rugby league. “He said to bottle this feeling up and we’ll be better for it. “He said I should be proud of my match and how far I’ve come this year.”

Billy Slater's classy response to booing controversy

The boos for Billy Slater throughout the NRL grand final have been taken as a sign of respect by the retiring Melbourne fullback. Storm captain Cameron Smith did not hide his displeasure at ANZ Stadium fans who jeered Slater in his final game after Melbourne's 21-6 loss to Sydney Roosters, saying the 35-year-old deserved more respect. But the man himself took it as a compliment. "To be honest they probably do respect me, that's probably why they do it," he said.

"I am playing against their team. They probably see me as a threat. "That is what sport is about, you create a thick skin in this game. "I am not the only player who has been booed." Slater is considered the game's greatest fullback but he was clearly not the most popular after controversially escaping a shoulder-charge ban to draw the curtain on his 16-season career in the grand final.

Fans erupt over Victory Radley's post-game interview

Victor Radley is the talk of fans after his post-game interview at the NRL grand final. The Roosters rookie was over the moon after his side’s 21-6 triumph over the Storm on Sunday night, especially given the fact he’s a rare local junior.
After praising his ‘legend’ friends and ‘legend’ Cooper Cronk, Radley was asked by Andrew Johns what he had planned for the celebrations. “Beers, beers and more beers!” he replied. “I cannot wait!” The simple line immediately went viral, with fans in a frenzy over the candid comments.

Cooper Cronk reveals wife's brutal message about playing grand final

Cooper Cronk has revealed the brutal piece of advice his wife gave him about whether or not to play in the NRL grand final. A one-armed Cronk showed there is no weight too heavy after inspiring the Sydney Roosters to a 21-6 grand final win over Melbourne on Sunday night. The former Storm halfback defied what was later revealed to be a broken shoulder blade to justify the Roosters’ decision to lure him to their club. And in his post-match press conference,
Cronk revealed how some tough love from wife Tara Rushton swung his decision to take his place in the decider. “I have to give my wife a fair bit of credit,” Cronk said “She basically told me ‘what are you carrying on about, you’ve been given a chance to play in a grand final, suck it up’.” “I basically took that advice and did it.” Rushton posted a touching tribute to her ‘hero’ after the game, alongside a photo of the pair embracing in the sheds.

The fiery moment that proves Cam Smith, Cooper Cronk feud is real

Cooper Cronk wrapped his head around Cameron Smith’s neck in a tense moment that proves the feud between the pair is as real as it gets. In the 13th minute of the Roosters’ dominant grand final victory over Melbourne, Smith took down his injured former teammate after a kick. Cronk took exception to the hit, especially considering the state of his shoulder, and grabbed his former captain by the throat, before pushing him down to the ground.
As many NRL fans examined the game to see if a reported feud between the pair was real or not, this was the moment that closed the case. While push and shove is a constant after hits on kickers in rugby league, a choke hold is certainly a step above that and proves the pair’s former friendship has been broken. It wasn’t Cronk’s only shot on his former Storm teammate, as he delivered a subtle jab in his post-match interview.

The insane act of courage to rival Cooper Cronk

Cooper Cronk wasn’t the only Roosters star playing with a broken bone in the NRL grand final. It has been revealed that star winger Blake Ferguson played the final 30 minutes of Sunday’s decider with a broken bone in his leg. Ferguson arrived at a Roosters fan day on Monday morning in a moon boot and on crutches,
following the Tri-colours’ 21-6 win. “He’s broken his leg, his fubula. It was quite sore but then after the game the longer it went the sorer it got,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson told AAP. “It went numb and that’s when they knew he broke it.” Ferguson still managed to run for 155 metres on the night despite the nasty injury.

Cameron Smith's furious swipe at 'disrespectful' fans

Cameron Smith has hit out at Sydney fans over their treatment of retiring Storm great Billy Slater. An unimpressed Smith said Slater deserved more respect from fans after they booed the retiring Melbourne great throughout the NRL grand final at ANZ Stadium. Smith cut a forlorn figure after the Storm’s 21-6 loss to Sydney Roosters but still bristled when the fans’ treatment of Slater was brought up, agreeing it was disrespectful. Slater, 35, is considered the game’s greatest fullback but he is clearly not the most popular after controversially escaping a shoulder charge ban to draw the curtain on his 16 season career in the grand final. The former Test No.1 was jeered every time he touched the ball, even copping them before he
even got onto the field. Boos echoed around ANZ Stadium when Slater’s name was mentioned in the list of NRL 2018 retirees honoured pre-match and received another serve when footage of him warming up in the dressing room lit up the venue’s big screen. Asked if the crowd were disrespectful, Storm captain Smith said: “I don’t think there is any other way to say that. “He’s only ever been someone good for the game, I think he deserved a bit more respect than that.” It’s not how it’s panned out, that’s footy,” a philosophical Slater told Johns. “We tried our best but that’s the way it goes. I’m really grateful for the career I’ve had, the friends I’ve made and what rugby league has done for me.” Unlike the crowd, Smith savoured his final time with his former club, Queensland and Kangaroos teammate Slater. “There have been a couple of moments this week (where I) was taking time to realise it is the last time I am here with Billy,” he said. “At the captain’s run yesterday, that was the last time we ever trained together. Going out on the bus, that was the last time we travelled to a game together. “I have been taking those last little moments in. It has been an emotional week knowing this time has been coming.” Despite the fans’ disappointing reaction, Smith said his fond memories of Slater’s career still far outweighed the bad.

Cooper Cronk brutally snubs Cameron Smith after grand final heroics

Courageous grand final champion Cooper Cronk has sensationally snubbed former teammate Cameron Smith in a tribute to his former team. In a post-match interview with Brad Fittler, Cronk thanked the Storm as an organisation for giving him his opportunity to play NRL, before pin-pointing a couple of his former teammates for their roles in his
career. “While I’ve got this moment, I probably need to thank Melbourne Storm for everything they’ve done for me,” Cronk told Nine. “In particular, Billy Slater and Ryan Hoffman, they’re two guys that have made me a better player and a better person.” Fans quickly took notice of the fact Cronk didn’t mention Smith, the Storm captain for the large majority of Cronk’s time in Melbourne, and a teammate of the halfback throughout his whole Storm career.

Billy Slater's incredible act of sportsmanship in defeat

Amid the heartbreak of having his fairytale finish ruined, Billy Slater showed his absolute class in defeat. The Storm superstar is living proof that fairytales don’t always have happy ending. The retiring Melbourne superstar was looking to end his 319-game NRL career with another premiership at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night. But the game didn’t go to script, with the Sydney Roosters crushing the Storm 21-6. However Slater produced a remarkable act of sportsmanship for victorious former teammate Cooper Cronk.

instead of wallow in defeat, Slater made a beeline for Cronk to congratulate him on an extraordinary grand final performance. Booed for most of the game, Slater may have won some fans back as he sought out Cronk on the bench immediately after full-time. “He’s a really good mate of mine and it was really tough to see him play the second half (injured),” Slater said. “What a courageous effort…I’m shattered for our team but I’m just really proud of him.” Slater said friendship was just one thing he would take from his career. “I am really grateful for the career I have had and for the friends I have made,” he said

Storm star caps off historic howler with head kick to Roosters rival

Storm star Cameron Munster created unwanted history after kicking Roosters centre Joseph Manu in the back of the head. The dirty play with only a couple of minutes left to play in the grand final saw the Origin five-eighth sent to the sin-bin for the second time in the game. Although there was no official confirmation,
it’s believed that’s the first time any player has been sin-binned twice in a grand final. Fans on social media couldn’t believe the dodgy play on Munster, with some even thinking he may have lost his Kangaroos jersey in the process. The incident summed up a seriously sorry night for Munster and the Storm as they went down to the Roosters 19-6.

Extraordinary extent of Cooper Cronk's courage revealed

Roosters coach Trent Robinson described it as the toughest display he’d ever seen, while Phil Gould was in awe in commentary. “This has been the greatest on-field coaching performance I’ve ever seen,” Gould said.
“The Roosters have played with 12 men and one on-field coach. “He’s just told his teammates exactly where the Storm are going and how to stop them “It’s one of the best non-performances I’ve ever seen.” Fans flooded social media to praise the ‘extraordinary’ performance.