The 2012 Grand Final had it all; high-flying tries, a stone-wall defence and some controversial biff that took a bizarre twist.
Under new coach Des Hasler the Bulldogs had captured their first minor premiership since 1994 as the boys from Belmore prepared for their first Grand Final in 18 years.
Melbourne on the other hand were preparing for their fifth in seven seasons.
However it has not all been smooth sailing for Storm that year. A premiership had seemed a pipedream at one point when they had slumped to a five-game losing streak between Rounds 16-21.
Before long though Craig Bellamy rallied his side like only he can to steer the Club back on the road to the holy grail once again.
Melbourne had six players with Grand Final experience, something that would serve as a calming influence on the rest of the playing group in the build up to the 2012 decider.
“I was feeling awesome to be honest with you, they freshened us up just before the finals series,” former Storm prop Bryan Norrie said.
“Everybody started to hit good form and play well as a team headed into finals. Without being cocky I was really confident we would get the job done.”
Nearly 83,000 fans filled ANZ Stadium that Grand Final day with the atmosphere full of nervous anticipation.
One of the defining moments of a Grand Final every year is that first hit-up. The first bit of contact that sets in motion what is to follow on the biggest stage of all.
We can all imagine what it would be the one to take that first hit-up. The eyes of an entire country, indeed the world, focused squarely on you.
In 2012 that responsibility fell to the man wearing Storm’s No.10. It remains a moment he remembers quite clearly.
