2018 NRL Grand Final
| Company type | Sporting event |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rugby league |
| Founded | September 30, 2018 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Trent Robinson (Roosters coach), Craig Bellamy (Storm coach), Luke Keary (Clive Churchill Medalist) |
| Products | Rugby league championship match |
Number of employees | 82,688 (attendance) |
The 2018 NRL Grand Final served as the championship decider for the 2018 NRL season, taking place on 30 September at Sydney's ANZ Stadium. The match showcased the minor premiers, the Sydney Roosters, facing off against the reigning champions, the Melbourne Storm. In front of a crowd of 82,688 attendees, Sydney emerged victorious with a 21-6 scoreline, securing their 14th premiership title and their first since the 2013 season. Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary was honored with the Clive Churchill Medal as the standout player of the game.
This occasion also featured the inaugural NRL Women's Premiership Grand Final alongside the 2018 NRL State Championship. Entertainment before kickoff included a performance by Sydney rock group Gang of Youths, while Australian vocalist Samantha Jade delivered the national anthem. The match was broadcast live throughout Australia via the Nine Network.
Background
The 2018 NRL Grand Final represented the first premiership clash between the Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters, two franchises noted for their sustained success since the inception of the NRL in 1998. Since 2013, these teams have largely dominated minor premiership honors—the Roosters finishing atop the standings in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2018, while Melbourne claimed this achievement in 2016 and 2017. Sydney returned to a grand final for the first time since their triumph in 2013, having been eliminated during preliminary finals in 2014, 2015, and 2017. Melbourne reached their third straight grand final, replicating a feat they previously accomplished from 2006 through 2008. Coaches Trent Robinson (Roosters) and Craig Bellamy (Storm) brought extensive expertise to the contest, with Bellamy matching Wayne Bennett’s record of eight grand final appearances.
Sydney and Melbourne secured first and second place respectively on the ladder, each earning a week’s rest after victories over South Sydney and Cronulla-Sutherland in qualifying finals. The two teams met once during the regular season, with Melbourne narrowly edging Sydney 9-8 at Adelaide Oval thanks to a Cameron Smith field goal. Sydney’s home wins included a preliminary final victory against South Sydney at Allianz Stadium prior to its redevelopment. Melbourne booked their grand final berth by narrowly defeating South Sydney 29-28 followed by a decisive 22-6 win over Cronulla-Sutherland.
Teams
| Sydney Roosters |
Position | Melbourne Storm |
|---|---|---|
| James Tedesco | Fullback | Billy Slater |
| Daniel Tupou | Wing | Suliasi Vunivalu |
| Latrell Mitchell | Centre | Will Chambers |
| Joseph Manu | Centre | Curtis Scott |
| Blake Ferguson | Wing | Josh Addo-Carr |
| Luke Keary | Five-eighth | Cameron Munster |
| Cooper Cronk | Halfback | Brodie Croft |
| Jared Waerea-Hargreaves | Prop | Jesse Bromwich |
| Jake Friend (c) | Hooker | Cameron Smith (c) |
| Sio Siua Taukeiaho | Prop | Tim Glasby |
| Boyd Cordner (c) | Second Row | Felise Kaufusi |
| Mitchell Aubusson | Second Row | Joe Stimson |
| Victor Radley | Lock | Dale Finucane |
| Isaac Liu | Interchange | Kenny Bromwich |
| Dylan Napa | Interchange | Christian Welch |
| Zane Tetevano | Interchange | Brandon Smith |
| Ryan Matterson | Interchange | Nelson Asofa-Solomona |
| Trent Robinson | Coach | Craig Bellamy |
This grand final marked Billy Slater's farewell match following an illustrious career spanning 319 NRL appearances exclusively with Melbourne, making him only the 16th player to reach over 300 games at a single club. Although recently facing judiciary scrutiny over a shoulder charge, he was ultimately cleared to participate, offering a chance to conclude his career with another premiership. Melbourne’s captain Cameron Smith set a new record as the most experienced finals player in NRL history with his 36th appearance. The Storm roster also featured newcomers Brodie Croft, Joe Stimson, Christian Welch, and Brandon Smith compared to their previous lineup.
On the Roosters side, halfback Cooper Cronk contested his eighth grand final—his debut with Sydney after seven appearances with Melbourne—becoming both the fourth most experienced NRL player and the first since 1973 to win consecutive premierships representing different clubs. Returning players from Sydney’s successful 2013 squad included Daniel Tupou, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jake Friend, Boyd Cordner, and Mitchell Aubusson. Additionally, Luke Keary brought prior premiership experience from his time winning with South Sydney in 2014.
Officials
| Position | Stand-By | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| class="table-rh" Template:Rh |Referees: | Gerard Sutton | Ashley Klein | Ben Cummins | |
| class="table-rh" Template:Rh |Touch Judges: | Nick Beashel | Brett Suttor | Chris Sutton | |
| class="table-rh" Template:Rh |Bunker: | Steve Chiddy | Ben Galea |
NRL Women's Premiership Grand Final
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} NRL State Championship
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Aftermath
By clinching the premiership title, the Sydney Roosters earned the right to compete in the 2019 World Club Challenge. They went up against the Super League XXIII champions, the Wigan Warriors, and achieved a 20-8 triumph at Wigan's DW Stadium.