LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The 2025 NRL grand final promises a showdown of contrasting styles as Melbourne and Brisbane gear up for the big game.
For both teams, winning a premiership is about more than just achieving perfection. The Storm, led by Craig Bellamy, have always aimed for excellence, knowing that true perfection is unattainable.
As they prepare for their eleventh grand final with Bellamy at the helm, there's an understanding among the players that this pursuit is a self-imposed challenge. This never-ending chase for perfection has been instrumental in making Melbourne quick, intelligent, and disciplined, enabling them to consistently know when and how to take calculated risks.
Melbourne's dominance over the past two decades showcases their status as a powerhouse of the new century. This drive for an ideal has cast a shadow over a deeper truth that embodies their winning mindset, evidenced by their prior match against Cronulla.
In reality, a flawless team would not have gambled on Jahrome Hughes, whose arm condition was precarious, nor would they trust him to perform at his best in pivotal moments. An ideal team would shy away from risking human qualities like bravery, exemplified by Hughes scoring a remarkable 30-meter solo try that pierced through the Sharks' defense.
Furthermore, a perfect team wouldn't have allowed Cameron Munster to execute a clever kick for Ryan Papenhuyzen in a critical attacking scenario, especially when they still had tackles to spare. Instead, they would tighten their strategy based on percentages, shunning creative risks.
As the grand final approaches, the contrasting philosophies of the two teams-Melbourne's relentless pursuit of an ideal versus Brisbane's pragmatic approach-will set the stage for an electrifying match.