Melbourne Storm takes NRL flag

Updated October 5, 2009 09:06:30

'Storm reigns supreme' says one newspaper headline in Melbourne, as the Melbourne Storm defeated Parramatta in the National Rugby League grandfinal. It's the Storm's second premiership in three seasons.

The team shattered Parramatta's dream of winning a grand final for the first time in 23 years.

Presenter: Lindy Kerin
Speaker: Cameron Smith, Storm captain; Craig Bellamy, Storm coach; Steve Turner, Storm player; Daniel Anderson, Parramatta coach; Nathan Cayless, Parramatta captain

KERIN: At last nights victory party. Storm fans gave their team a heroes welcome. They were estastic, celebrating the 23-16 win over Parramatta. Melbourne Storm players danced on stage and thanked their supporters. In front of a crowd of more than 82,000 people of mostly Parramatta supporters. Melbourne Storm had the advantage throughout the game. There were tries from the Storm's Ryan Hoffman, Adam Blair, Greg Inglis and Billy Slater, who was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal for best player

A field-goal from Greg Inglis in the dying minutes sealed the Storm's seven point win. Storm captain Cameron Smith says his team was motivated by their crushing defeat against Manly at last year's grand final

CAMERON: We were happy making 4 grand finals in a row, but i think we just needed the result tonight to help put out the flames from last year, because losing a grandfinal it's like getting daggers in your heart you know, and i think if you lose one, you really need to win one to put that to bed, in the sense of being labelled a great side, before the whistle was blown tonight, i definitely think we should be considered one of the great teams,.

KERIN: The victory cements Melbourne as a strong rugby league force. Storm coach Craig Bellamy says it's the best feeling he's ever had as a coach.

CRAIG: To make 4 grand finals it's been a huge effort, i didn't see a grand final appearance, let alone a win, the best feeling he's had as a coach

KERIN: Steve Turner, who's leaving Storm for the Bulldogs, says it's a moment he'll cherish..

TURNER: To go out like this leaving such a wonderful club, being part of such a wonderful sucess, it's been a wonderful six years, it's something i'm going to cherish for a long time.

KERIN: Storm's win dashed the hopes of the Parramatta Eels of winning their first grandfinal in 23 years. Parramatta coach Daniel Anderson says his team had the courage and determination but it wasn't enough..

DANIEL: Obviously very disappointed, but i don't think these boys understand how much they captured western sydney, we had a crack, but we got punished by our mistakes..

KERIN: Eels skipper Nathan Cayless was clearly devastated about the loss...

CAYLESS: It's a dream to win a grand final, it makes you realise how hard it is, it's very hard to get in a grand final let alone win onte.

KERIN: Despite the crushing defeat, fans at Parramatta celebrated their teams achievement.

PARRA VOX POPS

KERIN: Today, Storm fans will continue celebrations with a victory party planned in Melbourne.

STORM VOX POPS