I wasn’t implying that you one of these fans. Sorry if you thought I was. I was just using the site to voice the opinion.

When I thought the game was ultimately decided, was when Burt, who had kicked so well, missed the Moi Moi conversion. 4 points behind would have meant no field goal attempt, and game-on right up til the 80th minute.

The consensus was the poor first half, a poor kicking game, poot fifth tackle options and not contesting the ball that Inglis caught to score were the main contributors to the loss.

Yes, a few blew up over the penalty but as heads have cooled, it has faded into being a contributor to losing the game. It was lost before then even if Parra were only 6 points behind with 4 to go.

I will say in Grand Final ’09, I think the better team won the day/nighter. Parra were definitely close to catching up – and I may have thought differently if they had. I think the Storm did well to get the ball carrying arm tied up and prevent the offload – which was the key to Parra’s success of late. Hindy I’m guessing got a bit frustrated by all this, and ‘enterprisingly’ got a couple of handy penalties noticing the Storm hand around the football so often. I would think Parra’ s offloads were down by about 75% on recent times. I give the credit for that to Melbourne’s awareness of needing to tie the ball up early. Taking a risk and tackling high, but showing great discipline to keep the tackles below the head.

I’m not a coach, but from a coaching perspective, when it was clear this area of Parra’s game was being nullified, I would have thought, they would have sent a message out to counter this by playing a deeper backline, allowing more time to offload, and also to draw defenders out of the line. That’s what I would have done anyway. The attacking structures of decades past have been lost on our game and I’m not exactly sure why?

Another thing I saw, unless my eyes were playing tricks, was Parramatta playing (seemingly) without a halfback???? – where most team’s halfbacks are controlling the play, the “go-to” man, a leader, the centre of most attacking plays, and the steady head to settle/motivate troops around them when needed. I hardly spotted Robson (at least where he was meant to be) – or doing much more than a simple hand-off. Didn’t fit any of the descriptions above in this one. If it was Anderson’s ploy to limit his time with the ball – it certainly was a strange one. It’s said that Grand Finals are won by team with great halfbacks. Parra it seems were looking to mythbust this theory, and not surprisingly (and yes with helpful hindsight), they failed to disprove this one. The question begs, will they continue to attempt to disprove this theory in coming years? Or shall they continue the search for a “great” 7 to fit the winning recipe? Seems that Parra have been looking ever since Sterlo retired, and history tells they have never quite found one. Purchases for next season are a positive, must the missing ingredient remains.

I fear my Penrith Panthers with Luke Walsh will continue to watch a few Septembers from the bleachers. He’s good but he’s not great. Fingers-crossed though, maturity will make a difference to his star rating.

Thanks to all contributors and readers. For the most-part its been fun. I’m happy that people don’t agree with everything I’ve said too, but that I’ve still felt free to say what I think. I have enjoyed reading others thoughts too. Its good for the mind, as you only learn when you hear things you haven’t heard or thought about before, so that means I’ve learnt some things.

Bye for ’09.

All credit to the Storm. They are deservedly the team of the decade. They took their chances and knew what to do to win. They are the great side of this decade and a wonderful achievement given the salary cap.

The Eels looked off their game at times and a little unsure. The Inglis try was a good example. That should have never been scored but the Parra seemed to hold off taking the ball.

But the effort of Hindmarsh was oustanding. Even from up on high, what he did was tremendous and deserving of the CCM if the score was different. He was one of the best on field as was Fui Fui who pulled off big hits in attack and defense. I believe there is some controversy over his try. The Front Rowers Union have called him before a committee to ask why he scored a try like a back.

Parra can hold their heads up high for a great finish to the season. A side with a journeyman halfback and a sensational but raw rookie came close to wresting the game from one of the all time great club sides since the salary cap was introduced.

With Poore, Shackleton and Tahu on board next year and Kris Keating back, the Eels will be there again on grand final day. We won’t be waiting another 8 years.

Oscar is going to be part of the pre-match show bless him. And after the season we’ve had, it is good to hear of the good players do off the field. I’m sure that Storm players do this as well and is something that should be celebrated more often no matter the club and player.

No offence to poor suffering kids like Oscar, but for crying out loud, are there any more stories that might wrench the heart of Shayne Hayne and Tony Archer Parra’s way??

Thats friggin it – GO STORM.