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| Robertson scores a try [GALLO/GETTY] |
Winger Michael Robertson scored three tries and veteran centre Steve Menzies one in his farewell match for Manly as the Sea Eagles outclassed Melbourne 40-0 in Australia's National Rugby League championship final.
Before a crowd of 80,000 at the former Olympic stadium in western Sydney, Robertson scored tries either side of halftime, then added his third in the 52nd minute as Manly reversed last year's 34-8 grand final loss to the Storm.
The lopsided win, Manly's first league championship in 12 years, was the biggest margin in 55 years of grand finals, eclipsing Eastern Suburbs' 38-0 win over St. George in 1975.
Menzies swansong
Menzies was playing his record-equaling 349th and final game for the Sea Eagles.
Due to salary cap restraints, Menzies wasn't offered a contract to play for Manly next year.
In July, he signed a one-year deal for 2009 with the Bradford Bulls in England's Super League, ending a Manly career that began in 1993.
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| Robertson and Steve Turner of the Storm compete for the ball [GALLO/GETTY] |
Orford praise
Manly captain Matt Orford praised his players.
"That is the best feeling in the world, I can't describe it ... that's made my year," Orford said.
"We had a great preparation, we've worked so hard.
"The pain of last year, that is gone."
Kite MVP
Australian test prop Brent Kite, who scored one try and helped set up several others, was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal as man of the match.
"I accept this on your behalf," Kite told his teammates at the trophy presentations.
Storm controversy
The Storm, playing in the grand final for the third year in a row, came into the match in controversial circumstances.
They were without their captain, Cameron Smith, who was suspended for two
matches for a dangerous tackle in Melbourne's semifinal win over Brisbane.
Subsequent complaints about the suspension by Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy and chief executive Brian Waldron resulted in the team being fined $41,000 by the NRL.
Bellamy also questioned the league judiciary's integrity.
Several members of the judiciary, the committee that decides on player suspensions and fines, said they will sue Bellamy, who has refused to apologise.
Scores:
Manly 40 (Michael Robertson 3, Matt Ballin, Steven Bell, Brent Kite, Steven Menzies, David Williams tries; Jamie Lyon 2, Steve Matai 2 goals),
Melbourne 0.
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