Background 2009 NRL Grand Final



melbourne storm

the melbourne storm finished regular season in 4th position 14 wins, 9 losses , 1 draw. minor premiers of last 3 seasons , premiers in 2007, commentators believed storm below best in 2009 , doubted make 4th straight grand final. in first week of finals series accounted defending premiers, manly sea eagles, 40 – 12 victory. defeated 2006 premiers, brisbane broncos, 40 – 10 qualify grand final. melbourne storm first side make 4 consecutive grand finals since eels did in 1981–84.


melbourne five-eighth brett finch had chance break premiership drought defeating side terminated contract in april 2009 when coach daniel anderson said not wanted @ parramatta club.


parramatta eels

after dreadful first half of season , languishing in 14th position, parramatta eels won 9 of last 12 games finish 8th , make finals. in first 3 weeks of finals series defeated top 3 teams of home , away season – minor premiers st george illawarra dragons, gold coast titans, , arch-rivals canterbury bulldogs. last time eels made grand final 2001 defeated newcastle knights , last time won premiership in 1986. first team come 8th position make nrl grand final , if had of won have been first team ever ranked below 6th win premiership. canterbury s appearance in 1998 grand final came 9th position, under different finals system.


parramatta eels fullback , dally m medallist jarryd hayne in danger of missing match after being placed on report sliding in knees out stop try , connecting head of bulldog s winger bryson goodwin. incident reviewed nrl match review panel on 27 september , hayne received grade 1 sentence, allowing him play. set 1 of great grand final match-ups hayne played opposite current melbourne , australian fullback , 2008 golden boot winner billy slater.


parramatta captain nathan cayless under injury cloud after strained hamstring in preliminary final. passed intense fitness test on day before game take place in grand final. great boost eels have 3 2001 nrl grand final veterans playing.


the 2 sides faced each other once in regular season in round 19. eels won 18-16 @ parramatta stadium on 20 july.








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