‘Big three’ put on a grand show
And then the ‘Big Three’ became two. Maybe just one. Regardless, this was a fitting way for the triumvirate to go out.
Billy Slater. Cooper Cronk. Cameron Smith. Playing together for Melbourne the last time, they put on a masterclass. Brilliant individually, the sum is greater than its parts. They were too much for North Queensland to handle and finished together with a lap of honour.
On league’s biggest night of the year, they produced everything we have come to expect from them. Smith’s domination of the ruck. Cronk’s control. A sizzling Slater try. That any one team could call upon men of their calibre at anyone time is like lightning striking thrice. The perfect Storm.
They have been playing together for so long that their understanding is almost telepathic. When Cronk grubbered and hit the posts, deliberately, early in proceedings it was Slater trailing through in support searching for the ricochet. They continue to ask questions until they get the answer they are after.
So many time the ball has come out of dummy half from Smith, for Cronk to turn it into a sprinting Slater on the inside. There have been pale imitations, but nobody does that inside-outside play better. It is fitting that the pet play came off so spectacularly one last time.
It was one of many occasions they combined beautifully. Like when the Storm were on the attack, Cronk found Slater, who drew Te Maire Martin out of the defensive line, leaving try-scorer Felise Kaufusi unmarked. The whole set was made possible by a repeat set earned via a Smith grubber.
Everything comes off the back of Smith. In the space of a couple of minutes, he showed his greatness. Smith was the last and only line of defence when Jason Taumalolo had the tryline in sight. David brought down Goliath. The Storm marched upfield from the ensuing set, with the Cowboys expecting the ball to be spun out wide. Smith fed it short to Dale Finucane. Try.
For Slater, this was game 299. The champion fullback has given every indication he will reach the magical 300 mark, but you couldn’t script a better farewell. Ditto Cronk. Having dedicated every sinew in his body to football for well over a decade, he will follow his heart to the Harbour City. No one knows if he will play on, perhaps not even the man himself.
Smith shows no signs of slowing down. The Melbourne, Queensland and Australian captain capped a memorable week in which he won the Dally M medal with another piece of bling, a premiership ring. The veteran hooker will play on into his 35th year and is likely to go for at least one more after that. There is every chance he will become the first, and possibly last, to break the 400-game mark.
The trio go way back. They came together 17 years ago at Brisbane Norths. Cronk used to stay at Slater’s house, where Smith would pick them up in his Holden for the trip across the bridge to Brisbane. Back then they had big footy dreams, but never could the have imagined nights like this.