NRL: Melbourne Storm to face Cronulla Sharks in Grand Final
Last Updated: 24/09/16 1:51pm
The Melbourne Storm held on to defeat a resurgent Canberra Raiders 14-12 on Saturday and reach the NRL Grand Final against the Cronulla Sharks.
The Storm looked home and hosed when they went up 14-6 with 16 minutes remaining after Canberra full-back Jack Wighton was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul.
But with five minutes left on the clock the Raiders put themselves back in the game when Elliott Whitehead crossed in the corner following some desperate attack.
Half-back Aidan Sezer converted from the sideline to get the Raiders within two points.
However, the Storm, led by Queensland State of Origin stars Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk, held firm and booked their place in Sunday's decider at the Sydney Olympic Stadium.
"I'm really happy with the way the boys finished the game off," Smith said.
"We have to work on a few things from tonight -- I thought we let ourselves down in a couple of areas.
"Defensively we tried really hard but a few penalties we could have not given away, and we'll have to be better than that next week."
In contrast to Friday's preliminary final, which turned into a one-sided contest when Cronulla got on top of the Cowboys early on, Saturday's encounter was far more even.
Both sides were intent on attack during the opening stages, with the Raiders looking slightly more dangerous.
The Storm have the best defensive record in the competition and that was on show as they repelled a number of dangerous attacks from Canberra's outside men.
The home side opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a penalty from Smith, but the Raiders hit back soon after when they spun the ball wide and winger Jordan Rapana crossed in the corner.
Sezer converted from the sideline to give the visitors a well-deserved 6-2 lead.
However, Melbourne began to come back into the match and they were rewarded for some sustained pressure when Cronk, playing his 300th NRL match, sliced through a hole in the defence to score beside the posts and give his side an 8-6 lead at the break.
Canberra continued to throw everything at the Storm but they began to tire and Melbourne took full advantage.
Winger Marika Koroibete, who is switching to rugby union with the Melbourne Rebels next season, made a brilliant 80-metre run and was brought down by Wighton, who then slowed down to give his defenders time to recover.
Wighton was sent to the sin bin and while he was off the field, Cheyse Blair crossed for what proved to be the decisive try.
