2012 NRL Grand Final
| Industry | Rugby league |
|---|---|
| Founded | September 30, 2012 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Rugby league match |
The 2012 NRL Grand Final served as the conclusive game of the 2012 NRL season, taking place on Sunday, 30 September at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium. The contest pitted the minor premier Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs against the runners-up, Melbourne Storm. Melbourne emerged victorious with a 14–4 scoreline, claiming their second official premiership title following the annulment of their 2007 and 2009 championships due to significant salary cap violations.
Background
This match marked the fourth finals encounter between the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs and Melbourne Storm, but it was their inaugural grand final face-off. Melbourne was making its fifth grand final appearance within seven years, aiming for their second recognized championship. Canterbury reached their first grand final since their triumph in 2004. The coaches, Craig Bellamy and Des Hasler, met in a premiership decider for the third time, each having secured previous grand final victories in 2007 and 2008.
| Bulldogs | Storm | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rd.1 | Panthers | Raiders | |||||||||||
| Rd.2 | Dragons | Rabbitohs | |||||||||||
| Rd.3 | Warriors | Titans | |||||||||||
| Rd.4 | Knights | Roosters | |||||||||||
| Rd.5 | Titans | Knights | |||||||||||
| Rd.6 | Rabbitohs | Cowboys | |||||||||||
| Rd.7 | Storm | Bulldogs | |||||||||||
| Rd.8 | Sea Eagles | Warriors | |||||||||||
| Rd.9 | Eels | Panthers | |||||||||||
| Rd.10 | Titans | Sharks | |||||||||||
| Rd.11 | Sharks | Bye | |||||||||||
| Rd.12 | Roosters | Broncos | |||||||||||
| Rd.13 | Rabbitohs | Warriors | |||||||||||
| Rd.14 | Bye | Tigers | |||||||||||
| Rd.15 | Dragons | Sea Eagles |- | style="background:#cfc;" |'Storm' | style="background:#fbb;" |'Bulldogs' |- | Bye | Bye |- | style="background:#cfc;" | Tigers | style="background:#fbb;" | Raiders |- | style="background:#cfc;" | Eels | style="background:#fbb;" | Cowboys |- | style="background:#cfc;" | Sea Eagles | style="background:#fbb;" | Eels |- | style="background:#cfc;" | Cowboys | style="background:#fbb;" | Dragons |- | style="background:#cfc;" | Knights | style="background:#cfc;" | Panthers |- | style="background:#cfc;" | Broncos | style="background:#cfc;" | Titans |- | style="background:#cfc;" | Tigers | style="background:#cfc;" | Broncos |- | style="background:#fbb;" | Raiders | style="background:#cfc;" | Sharks |- | style="background:#cfc;" | Roosters | style="background:#cfc;" | Tigers | |
During the regular season, Melbourne and Canterbury clashed twice: Melbourne secured a 12–6 victory at home in round 7, whereas Canterbury won 20–4 in round 16 at Virgin Australia Stadium located in Mackay, Queensland.
Tickets for the grand final were completely sold out by 22 August, more than two weeks prior to the commencement of the finals series.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs clinched the 2012 minor premiership by finishing at the top with 18 victories out of 24 games, accumulating 40 premiership points. This marked their seventh minor premiership and their first since 1994. Their campaign included an impressive 12-match winning streak spanning rounds 11 through 24, which was halted by a 34–6 defeat to the Canberra Raiders in round 25. Nevertheless, a commanding 42–10 triumph over the Sydney Roosters in round 26 secured their position as ladder leaders.
During the finals series, Canterbury overcame the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 16–10 to advance to the preliminary final, then convincingly defeated the South Sydney Rabbitohs 32–8 to reach their 17th grand final appearance and their first since 2004.
Melbourne Storm
The Melbourne Storm concluded the regular season in second place, recording 17 wins from 24 matches and earning 38 premiership points. They started the year strongly with a nine-game winning run, establishing themselves as early contenders for the premiership. However, a midseason slump involving five consecutive losses allowed Canterbury to claim the minor premiership. Melbourne finished the regular season on a high note by winning their final five games.
In the finals, Melbourne secured a 24–6 victory over South Sydney Rabbitohs to reach the preliminary final, followed by a dominant 40–12 win against Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, ensuring their sixth grand final appearance and fifth within seven seasons.
Team lists
| Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |
Position | Melbourne Storm |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Barba | Fullback | Billy Slater |
| Sam Perrett | Wing | Sisa Waqa |
| Josh Morris | Centre | Dane Nielsen |
| Krisnan Inu | Centre | Will Chambers |
| Jonathan Wright | Wing | Justin O'Neill |
| Josh Reynolds | Five-eighth | Gareth Widdop |
| Kris Keating | Halfback | Cooper Cronk |
| Aiden Tolman | Prop | Jesse Bromwich |
| Michael Ennis (c) | Hooker | Cameron Smith (c) |
| Sam Kasiano | Prop | Bryan Norrie |
| Frank Pritchard | Second Row | Kevin Proctor |
| Josh Jackson | Second Row | Ryan Hoffman |
| Greg Eastwood | Lock | Todd Lowrie |
| James Graham | Interchange | Sika Manu |
| Dale Finucane | Interchange | Ryan Hinchcliffe |
| Corey Payne | Interchange | Jaiman Lowe |
| David Stagg | Interchange | Richie Fa'aoso |
| Coaches | ||
| Des Hasler | colspan=2 |Craig Bellamy | ||
Note: Before kickoff, Kevin Proctor and Sika Manu exchanged their interchange positions.
Match details
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1st half
Melbourne controlled the early stages of possession, taking advantage of Canterbury-Bankstown’s errors through consecutive sets. Ryan Hoffman crossed the try line in the 7th minute following a sharp pass from Gareth Widdop, though captain Cameron Smith was unsuccessful with the conversion attempt. Despite maintaining pressure, Melbourne missed an opportunity to increase their lead with a failed penalty kick.
Canterbury struck back in the 25th minute when Sam Perrett outpaced Melbourne fullback Billy Slater after Krisnan Inu delivered a well-executed grubber kick. A confrontation ensued shortly after as Inu reacted to Slater’s tackle, sparking a brawl and a significant controversy: Canterbury prop James Graham bit Slater’s ear. This incident was reported and led to Graham receiving a suspension spanning 12 matches. The try was upheld, but Inu’s conversion attempt missed, leveling the scoreboard at 4-4.
This altercation seemed to energize Melbourne, who intensified their efforts and crossed the line twice before halftime. Cooper Cronk assisted Billy Slater’s try in the 32nd minute, which Cameron Smith successfully converted, putting Melbourne ahead 10-4. Just prior to halftime, Cronk delivered a precise cross-field kick that set up Justin O’Neill for another try. Smith missed the conversion again, leaving Melbourne with a 14–4 advantage at the break.
2nd half
The second half evolved into a defensive contest. Melbourne dominated possession during the first ten minutes, effectively repelling Canterbury’s offensive attempts. Canterbury captain Michael Ennis appeared to have scored in the 49th minute but was held up by Cameron Smith before grounding the ball. Melbourne responded offensively; however, Smith failed to capitalize on a penalty opportunity that could have extended their lead. Canterbury’s best chance came in the 61st minute when Barba broke down the left flank and passed to centre Josh Morris, who was stopped by Slater’s solid defense. In the 70th minute, Melbourne prop Brian Norrie had a try disallowed due to offside. Melbourne held firm to secure a 14–4 victory in the Grand Final. Cooper Cronk was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal for his exceptional performance.
The attendance of 82,976 set a record for the highest Grand Final crowd at ANZ Stadium since its renovation in 2002 and featured the first-ever scoreless half in Grand Final history. Melbourne’s triumph marked their second legitimate premiership and delivered coach Craig Bellamy his inaugural official championship.
Aftermath
By winning the premiership, Melbourne Storm earned the right to compete against Super League XVII champions Leeds Rhinos in the 2013 World Club Challenge.