TEARS OF OUR BILLY
Grand final hero Slater’s tribute to North Queensland spirit
THE Cowboys’ run to the NRL grand final was halted by Melbourne Storm last night – but it was Far North hero Billy Slater (left) who ended the night in tears. Slater, who battled back after career-threatening injury, took out the Clive Churchill Medal for his display in the 34-6 win at ANZ Stadium.
The Cowboys’ underdog push to the grand final drew praise from Slater.
“I’d just like to thank the Cowboys. You’re a tremendous organisation. We’ve got so much respect for you as a football team, your loyal supporters up there in North Queensland. They get behind you. I know that first hand because I was one of them,” he said. “To do what you have done without JT and without Matty Scott, you should hold your heads high and be very proud of yourselves.”
INNISFAIL’S Billy Slater has capped off a dream season by winning the prestigious Clive Churchill Medal in the NRL grand final.
Slater scored a try and delivered a try assist in the Storm’s clinical 34-6 win over the North Queensland Cowboys at ANZ Stadium on Sunday evening.
The star fullback fought back tears as he accepted his medal, saving a heartfelt thank you to his wife, Nicole, for her support.
“It’s been a rocky road the last couple of years, darl,” an emotional Slater said. “I certainly couldn’t be standing here without your support. So thank you for everything that you’ve done for me over my career, but especially the last couple of years. (I) love you darl.” North Queensland captain Gavin Cooper graciously conceded defeat while pointing to a bright future for the stoic Cowboys .
“It’s been a tough year but it’s brought us closer together ... the sky’s the limit,” Cooper said.
Earlier, North Queensland’s Cinderella surge hit a purple brick wall as the Melbourne juggernaut stormed to another premiership with a 34-6 caning of the Cowboys in the grand final last night at ANZ Stadium. Before 79,722 fans, departing 323game Melbourne champion Cooper Cronk received a fitting finale, expertly pulling the strings to steer the Storm to their second title in five years.
Two years ago the Cowboys celebrated their maiden title on this stage. But this time, the northern fairytale degenerated into a nightmare against a Storm side that franked their dominance with their fusion of pace and power in a six-tries-to one mauling.
The Cowboys were blown off the park by a Storm tsunami, with Melbourne surging to an 18-0 half-time lead before withstanding a minor fightback to scale the premiership summit. Te Maire Martin gave the Cowboys hope when he sliced through in the 48th minute, but when Dale Finucane (64th), Curtis Scott (67th) and two-try flyer Josh Addo-Carr (73rd) crossed, it was Purple Reign. Melbourne’s Big Three of Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Slater were magnificent, the latter slicing through three minutes before the break to leave the Cowboys floundering.
It was also sweet vindication for coah Craig Bellamy who now has his second legitimate premiership. In the past 12 seasons, Melbourne have reached seven deciders. The signs were ominous after just four minutes when Storm prop Jesse Bromwich stormed through the midfield. Only a superb tackle by Jake Granville saved a try, but the real damage came in back play when Cowboys forward Shaun Fensom suffered a sickening leg injury trying to halt Bromwich. But the break only delayed the inevitable. The code has witnessed some formidable premiership teams, including the Dragons of the 1950 and 60s but the team spawned in AFL heartland is now in the pantheon of premiership juggernauts.
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