Match Centre

FULLTIME :: Roosters are the 2018 premiers, triumphing 21-6.

Storm go short again. They fail and the Roosters are one set away.. one six tackle set away from first premiership since 2013.

PENALTY ROOSTERS! Munster has lost his head, kicking a tackled player while he was down.

Storm trying every trick in the bag now, a chipped kick for Vunivalu.. never had the depth, so Manu claims easily.

Quickly followed by a FOURTH. Roosters have got the official warning now.

Now a THIRD penalty. Offside.

PENALTY STORM! Second effort.. Storm still believe and keeping the ball alive to reflect that.

PENALTY STORM! Scrum penalty.

Storm go short, Vunivalu knocks it over the sideline. That should be the game.

BUNKER TIME! Checking an obstruction on Slater on Keary's field goal.

BUNKER TIME! Addo-Carr races away.. checking the penalty try option.

Nothing seems to be going right for the Storm! They got the play they wanted.. Munster reefed it from Aubusson, tried to position Carr, the Roosters cover defense takes him across the sideline.

PENALTY ROOSTERS! Brandon Smith clipped the attacker high.

Storm have started to create some chances. They flooded the short side on last, Scott burst through but a legs tackle got him.

Storm opened the space, Munster drew the man well, just had to give it.. the half decided to go himself.. and a superb defensive move from Manu denied him.

Roosters putting on the flair now! Matterson tries an audacious flick pass in the middle of the field which sent Tupou away. On last, Roosters go back to the right, Manu took the kick but is gathered by the defense.

RED LIGHTS.. NO TRY! Yep.. that's an easy one. Asofa-Solomona barrels into Cronk and it is an easy call for the official.

BUNKER TIME! Croft legitimately strolled there.. and Cronk is on the floor. Let's go to the tape.

PENALTY STORM! Offside. They have another set start.. we go again.

Storm finally find some success.. Croft tumbles a kick there, and it bounces back and hits Tedesco. Dropout.

Everything is bouncing the Roosters way. Munster tried to bend one deep, but it rolled on it's point again. Seven tackle set again for the tri-colours.

Matterson pirouettes through the defense as the Roosters again back on the front foot. They look to give Ferguson room, the winger eyes off the sideline.. but put a foot in touch.

PENALTY STORM! Kenny Bromwich is felled by a crusher.. and referee pings the Roosters.

Both sides are back onto the field. Storm need to overturn a huge deficit here.. 18 down, against a full of energy Roosters side. The team from Bondi will get us back underway!

One final chance for the Storm. Munster, back on the field, chips for himself.. toed it ahead but the second effort is taken by Joe Manu. HALFTIME

PENALTY ROOSTERS! Cam Smith nudges the man attacked and is pinged.

Smith usually so adept with the dummy-half kicks has it roll end on end. Seven tackle set incoming.

Friend was at a loose end there, almost got mixed up with Keary. Friend grubbers through, and Carr has to tumble it dead.

PENALTY STORM! We've settled into a pattern, Storm with a THIRD penalty coming out of trouble. Matterson tries to grapple with Slater.

Once again, the Storm go the right! They gave Chambers space again but he slipped, then is smothered by the Roosters defense. Now the Roosters have a penalty.

PENALTY STORM! Again, they were on their heels.. but Aubusson is pinged for dangerous tackle. Set starts on halfway.

Storm go close again.. Asofa Solomona was inches away. On last, Smith and Croft combine to put Chambers into a small box.. the centre is pushed out.. then has a cuddle with Mitchell.

Croft dabs one through, another set coming. That looked much more like the Storm! They attacked the edges, and almost cut through.

PENALTY STORM! Melbourne have exclusively been rucking it out.. now they get a piggyback into the Roosters area. Big set incoming.

RED LIGHTS.. NO TRY! We didn't get to the end.. Ferguson jumped from in touch. Storm handover on the 30.

BUNKER TIME! Looking at the touchline, the strip.. everything!

Another repeat set.. Billy Slater spilled the bomb.. and the Roosters are back on the attack.

Storm have their first chance in the attacking half, Croft drilled a kick for Vunivalu. The winger kept it in, but some superb interchange of passes sees the Roosters escape.

PENALTY STORM! Keary again, takes the kicking reigns. He lofts one that Vunivalu takes then he is tipped over by Jake Friend. PENALTY.

Been some brutal defense from the Roosters. They almost dragged Addo-Carr in-goal then Hargreaves followed it up with a huge hit on Slater. The last tackle option went straight down the throat of Tedesco, as the Roosters move over halfway.

We have our first Cronk kick, he tumbled one into the pack and Storm knock on. Six more, but the half was collected after he kicked.

Roosters almost cut through as Cordner poked his nose through. He can't play the ball under the attention of Chambers, and it is whistle time. Roosters opt for points.

Here we go! Storm kick us off.. and Taukeiaho takes the first charge!

Thank you to Samantha Jayde, for a wonderful rendition of the anthem! The captains have met at midfield, the toss is complete! All the bluster, all the narrative, all the games are over - time for 80 minutes of magnificent football!

Here they come.. the Melbourne Storm! Entering to a mixed reaction from the crowd, the sea of purple down the southern end had their flags waving high. Here come the Roosters, the red, white and bluesters.. striding out confidently onto the field.. last out was the man of the moment - Cooper Cronk, looking spritely as he stretches for battle!

Welcome to the big dance, we've gone through 25 rounds of regular season football, three weeks of finals and left with two sides - the Melbourne dynasty, looking to become the first side since 1992-93 to record back-to-back premierships, farewelling their champion fullback, in Billy Slater. In the other corner, Sydney Roosters, the big-spending glamour club of the competition, refreshed with former Storm half, and one-armed man Cooper Cronk, CONFIRMED to be playing alongside a side overflowing with talent, looking to take down the dynasty and send Cronk's former friends out on a low note. So much narrative throughout the week, now we're ready for the football! Let's get it on.. soon. ANZ Stadium is starting to fill, Gangs of Youth have opened proceedings and now, the trophy is out on the plith.