The 2012 NRL Grand Final was the conclusive and premiership-deciding game of the 2012 NRL season. Played on Sunday, 30 September at Sydney's ANZ Stadium between the minor premiers Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the second-placed Melbourne Storm. Melbourne won the match 14–4 in a tight contest to claim their second premiership title after their 2007 and 2009 titles were stripped due to major salary cap breaches.
Background
This was the fourth time the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs and Melbourne Storm have faced each other in a finals series and the first in a grand final. It was the fifth time in the past seven seasons the Melbourne Storm featured in a grand final, although they were playing for their second official title. The Canterbury side played in their first decider since 2004 when they defeated the Sydney Roosters to win their last premiership. It was also the third time coaches Craig Bellamy and Des Hasler oversaw their sides in a premiership decider after each claimed grand final success in their 2007 and 2008 meetings.
Melbourne and Canterbury have faced each other twice in the regular season, with the Melbourne side beating Canterbury-Bankstown 12–6 in a tight match at Melbourne's home ground in AAMI Park in round 7 whilst Canterbury got over Melbourne later in round 16 with a score of 20–4 at Canterbury's non-traditional venue at Virgin Australia Stadium in Mackay, Queensland.
Tickets to the grand final were sold out by 22 August, more than two weeks before finals playoffs begun.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs finished first on the regular season competition ladder, claiming the 2012 minor premiership with 18 wins from 24 matches and finishing on 40 premiership points. This was the club's 7th minor premiership in its history and its first since 1994. Canterbury's 2012 season was characterised by a 12-game winning streak from round 11 to round 24, which was eventually ended after a 34–6 defeat to the Canberra Raiders in round 25. This loss gave Melbourne a chance to claim the minor premiership, however a 42–10 win over the Sydney Roosters in round 26 ensured the Canterbury club finished first.
The Canterbury side began the 2012 finals series with a 16–10 win over the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles to ensure a preliminary final berth in week 3. They subsequently won this match 32–8 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs to qualify for the 2012 grand final against Melbourne.
This was Canterbury's 17th grand final appearance and the club's first since 2004.
Melbourne Storm
The Melbourne Storm finished second on the regular season competition leader just behind Canterbury-Bankstown on 38 premiership points, with 17 wins from 24 games. Melbourne's 2012 season was characterised by a 9-game winning streak from round 1 to round 9, making them early premiership favourites. The Melbourne club subsequently suffered a 5-game losing streak from round 16 to round 21, allowing Canterbury to overtake them to win the minor premiership. Despite this, the Melbourne club finished the season winning their last 5 consecutive matches to finish second.
Melbourne began week 1 of the finals with a 24–6 victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs to qualify for a preliminary final in week 3 against modern rivals the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. Melbourne won this match 40–12 to qualify for the 2012 NRL Grand Final against Canterbury-Bankstown.
This was the Melbourne club's fifth grand final appearance in seven seasons and its sixth appearance overall.
Team lists
Note: Kevin Proctor swapped with Sika Manu from his interchange spot before the match.
Match details
1st half
Melbourne began the first half with all the early possession, punishing a number of errors by Canterbury-Bankstown with several repeat sets. The relentless pressure was rewarded with a 7th minute try to Ryan Hoffman, bursting through a yawning gap after taking Gareth Widdop's lovely short ball 10m out from the line to make it 4–0. Melbourne captain Cameron Smith missed the conversion. Melbourne continued to pressure Canterbury's try line over the next few minutes but they held strong, forcing Melbourne to attempt a penalty conversion which was missed by Smith.
