Richmond: 2020 AFL Premiers

TWO OUT of three ain't bad, but three out of four is a whole other level. 

Richmond has claimed back-to-back premierships, and made it three of the last four flags, after coming from behind to beat Geelong by 31 points in the historic first ever Toyota AFL Grand Final at the Gabba. It etched the Tiger dynasty into football history as one of the most dominant sides of this century. 

Dustin Martin, Richmond's inimitable, incredible midfielder, also made history by becoming the first player to win three Norm Smith Medals as the best on ground in the 12.9 (81) to 7.8 (50) win by booting four goals from 21 disposals.

The under lights Gabba clash had it all: injury carnage, a remarkable recovery, a comeback, two stretchers, pitch invaders, pyrotechnics and an entertainment package that will make the debate for day Grand Finals a harder sell in 2021. 

But mainly it again illustrated the brilliance of Martin and the Tigers, who came from 15 points down at half-time to secure their 13th flag and first consecutive flag since their 1973-4 triumphs. It was their third premiership under coach Damien Hardwick and skipper Trent Cotchin. 

After more than 110 days on the road living in Queensland after COVID-19's second wave forced the competition to relocate out of Victoria, the Tigers will return with the premiership cup later this week after storming home in the second half. 

Gary Ablett's farewell did not go as hoped, with the champion Cat injuring his shoulder in the opening minutes immediately after Tigers defender Nick Vlastuin was concussed in a wild piece of play. 

Ablett returned later in the quarter after receiving medical attention in the rooms, but continued to nurse the injury throughout the game, struggling to use his arm for the rest of the night and enduring serious pain throughout. His hope of ending his glittering 357-game career with a third flag was dashed as the Tigers booted nine goals to two in the second half. 

In a game full by superstars on both sides, it was Richmond's who rose to the occasion. Martin was again exceptional, following his 2017 and 2019 deciders with another standout game. The game's best player proved it with a high-impact game across half-forward, while Patrick Dangerfield, Geelong's own match-winner, was subdued. Geelong Coleman medallist Tom Hawkins kicked one goal from 10 disposals, with Mitch Duncan (25 disposals, one goal) the Cats' best. 

There was drama everywhere in the first term. Six minutes into the game it changed: Vlastuin was knocked out by a stray Dangerfield elbow (which will certainly come under Match Review Officer scrutiny) and in the following contest Ablett's shoulder dislocated as he was tackled by Cotchin. 

As Vlastuin was taken by stretcher from the field, Ablett left cradling his arm. The shock left the players and crowd stunned, and after a six-minute break in the game, it resumed to more action, including two fans who ran onto the field that almost got involved in the play. 

Although the Tigers kicked the first two goals, the Cats settled to take a one-point lead into the first change. Ablett, too, returned to the field – a sight that looked unimaginable minutes earlier after what appeared set to be an anticlimactic end to his phenomenal career. 

Geelong took that momentum into the second term, dominating Richmond in the pressure stakes and using their strength at the contest to push aside the Tigers. The Tigers, so renowned for their tenacious attack, were being beaten at their own game. 

The Cats kicked three goals to one in the quarter but should have been further ahead after some straightforward misses. They are sprayed kicks which will linger in the minds of the Cats well beyond the final siren. 

Richmond's single goal came via Martin – an astonishing snap while fending off some Cats opponents – with the Tigers struggling in attack. 

Key forward pair Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt combined for one kick in the first half as Geelong's defence, led by the insurmountable Tom Stewart and veteran Harry Taylor, controlled proceedings. 

But Richmond wasn't done. Riewoldt kicked the opening goal of the third term after a free kick, before a Jason Castagna outswinger curled through. Martin's brilliance again rose to the top, with the key Tiger's on-the-run checkside trickling through to give Richmond a two-point edge by three-quarter time.

The Tigers powered home in the final quarter, kicking five goals to one to end up comfortable premiers. The final goal came, of course, via Martin in the last two minutes, who shrugged off a tackle from Dangerfield pinned up against the boundary line and snapped an amazing goal. In doing so, the Tigers’ tattooed champion confirmed his status as perhaps the best big-game player in football history. 

RICHMOND     2.1     3.2     7.4     12.9     (81)

GEELONG        2.2     5.5     6.8     7.8     (50)

GOALS

Richmond: Martin 4, Prestia 2, Riewoldt 2, Castagna, Lambert, Lynch, McIntosh

Geelong: Menegola 2, Dangerfield, Duncan, Guthrie, Hawkins, Miers

BEST

Richmond: Martin, Short, Edwards, Prestia, Cotchin, Bolton

Geelong: Duncan, Stewart, Selwood, Menegola, Dahlhaus

INJURIES

Richmond: Vlastuin (concussion), Houli (calf)

Geelong: Ablett (shoulder), Simpson (concussion)

Melbourne Storm: 2020 NRL Premiers

Cameron Smith and Craig Bellamy have combined – with almost 100 years of rugby league royalty between them – as the oldest player and coach to win a premiership in the game's history.

Rarely has that wealth of experience proven quite so definitive as their third title and ninth grand final together.

The Storm simply blew an overawed Panthers outfit off the paddock for almost an hour to lead 26-0, Penrith eventually finding their feet and their way back into it for the last stanza.

As a side with 17 straight triumphs to their name, the Panthers refused to wilt.

They found themselves up against 11 men to finish when first Jahrome Hughes (71st minute), then Brandon Smith (80th minute) was given an early breather.

Nathan Cleary even set up one last frantic, fantastic crack at going to golden point, with a superb solo effort in the final minute.

Yet as with all the Storm do, Smith, 37, marshalled his men with aplomb.

Not that they weren't nervous about it as Penrith finished fast.

"The last 10 minutes was certainly a bit helter skelter and when Jahrome went to the bin, I didn't feel comfortable then at all," Bellamy said.

Ryan Papenhuyzen was a Clive Churchill Medallist none in the 37,303-strong could argue.

But following the same lead their skipper has struck through 430 NRL outings, Melbourne were ruthless whenever given half a sniff.

If this is his last as many expect, it truly is a perfect Storm send-off.

For 123 days now, this club has lived out of home and out of state, keeping both their season and the NRL alive as their home town went through lockdown.

The graft and grit that has characterised their entire campaign, and every one of Bellamy's 61 years, was right there as Penrith first piled on the pressure from a mountain of early possession, then came at them with all guns blazing to finish.

"That's what good teams do," Smith said.

"They stay in the fight. We've done it a few times this year and that's why Penrith finished first, they're a champion team and they kept coming.

"When Jahrome went in the sin bin that was probably the point where a lot of us felt a little bit nervous about the last eight and half minutes.

"But we had the legs left in us to hold them out. The good teams find a way to finish those games, we've got a really tough, very resilient group in there."

That Melbourne led 10-0 after defending their line for five sets midway through the first half, said it all.

Ultimately, the final say came after just half an hour.

For all of Melbourne's big-game experience, it was Penrith's own marquee man Cleary with the play that told the tale of a definitive opening half.

Nigh on two decades of professionalism up against the impetuousness of a young side still on their way up.

With the Panthers pressing and already chasing that double-figure lead, Cleary rolled out a looping, loping long ball in search of vacant pastures for his outside men.

Waiting and watching was Suliasi Vunivalu. Swooping then stumbling, then striding and finally streaking away.

What could have been six points at one end was a turnaround of 12 at the other.

A 16-0 lead loomed large five seconds before halftime. Smith, as has always been his wont, duly slipped the knife in.

A similarly desperate play to Cleary's, this time from Api Koroisau, saw the ball fall from Smith's hands on Penrith's line.

Due to the Panther's dislodgement, Smith was well within his rights to fall on the football and claim the killer blow, the timing just as cruel as the tone it landed in.

Soggy scenes all day were reminiscent of the last time Penrith were present for a decider in 2003.

But the comparisons stopped there. From the outset, Melbourne were a class above.

As good as they were, Penrith provided plenty of favours, starting in the fourth minute.

Tyrone May was parachuted once more into Penrith's starting line-up, and immediately found himself the centre of attention when he needed a hole to crawl into.

With the Storm's first attacking foray a superbly slick one, Josh Addo-Carr's final pass in-field put Justin Olam over the line and the ball just six inches from it.

May's slide into defensive position, with his boot knocking the Steeden loose en route to the turf was deemed a penalty try.

Penrith's return of serve had venom to it. Only a mistimed decoy run by Stephen Crichton saw Josh Mansour unable to answer with a four-pointer.

But repeated fumbles from Viliame Kikau preceded an accidental offside penalty from the Fijian, then a late shot from James Fisher-Harris, that gave the Storm ample breathing room.

By the time they had truly spread their wings, it was 22-0 and halftime.

There was no respite afterward either.

Ryan Papenhuyzen dummied on his own 20-metre line. Beat Cleary on his outside by the 30 and was being sized up for sky blue by sideline eye Brad Fittler as he crossed the tryline.

The most dubious of late salvo tries went to Brian To'o despite Isaah Yeo running behind one of his teammates in the lead-up.

It was followed by another from Crichton, making for a 26-12 ballgame with 10 to play.

Pandemonium then ensued. First Hughes was pinged for a professional foul, taking out Kikau as he chased a kick.

Mansour got his grand final try, with a brief period of calm to follow.

Brandon Smith then joined Hughes on the sidelines as Cleary stepping past Cameron, then powering through Papenhuyzen with 11 seconds on the clock.

At 26-20, the shot at goal was declined in lieu of one last play.

"I'd love to have the game again tomorrow, that's for sure," Ivan Cleary said.

"We turned over too much possession too often, and we were trying too hard in the second half. It was hard to believe we were 22-0 at half-time.

"We were still swinging at the end of the game so I was really proud of the boys."

For all of Penrith's pluck and pride though, this game belonged to the Storm.

And none have had more influence in Melbourne than the two old stagers with almost 100 years of rugby league royalty between them.