Webcke fairytale_英文原版

 

big shane webcke last night walked away from rugby league with the ultimate prize as coach wayne bennett rated brisbane's 15-8 grand final win over melbourne as the greatest in his club's history.

webcke retired with a premiership win – joining canberra's mal meninga (1994), penrith's royce simmons (1991) and parramatta pair mick cronin and ray price (1986) as grand final victors in their final game.

"there's not much better than going out a grand final winner. it is an honour and a privilege," webcke said.

broncos teammates were ecstatic to send out the veteran prop – one of the greatest rugby league has seen – with a premiership medal.

"no one has put more into the game and the team," said broncos captain darren lockyer.

broncos prop petero civoniceva said of his front-row partner: "all champions deserve a great finish to their career. we all wanted to send webby out on a big note.

"dreams comes true."

 

bennett said last night's courageous win was the best he has had with the broncos.

he had won five premierships going into last night but said: "personally, and from a broncos point of view, this is the sweetest one.

"no one gave us any chance. we played under a huge amount of adversity."

like the entire broncos camp, bennett paid tribute to webcke.

"i am thrilled to see him finish his career like this," bennett said.

 

"he has won four premierships. that is unique – not many players have done that. he deserves the accolades he gets. we will miss him."

bennett took a swipe at the media over criticism of lockyer. "do you guys read your stories?" bennett asked.

"he's a bit like his coach, maligned. it was said he shouldn't play five-eighth. now (after last night) you all want to applaud him."

bennett said his players had shown great courage to tough it out against the storm. "it was a very gutsy and very courageous win. it wasn't a flash game but in the end we didn't let them play flash either," he said.

"there was always a great belief in ourselves and that kept the dream alive."

an elated lockyer said of bennett: "he is a our rock."

 

brisbane and melbourne pushed each other to the limits last night. both teams appeared absolutely exhausted.

each team scored two tries but three goals and a late field goal to lockyer gave brisbane their first title since 2000.

it was heartbreaking for melbourne, given they had only lost four matches all season going into last night's match.

but the storm were not sharp last night and did not play with the control that allowed them to be runaway minor premiers.

storm coach craig bellamy said his side was too quick to play "laterally".

"we kept going from side-to-side rather than be direct like we normally play," bellamy said.

melbourne captain cameron smith added: "we were below our potential tonight."

brisbane second-rower brad thorn was thrilled to have won a premiership after his return to the nrl from rugby union.

"i lost two super 12 finals and that was heartbreaking," thorn said.

"winning titles . . . it means the world to me. and what a club the broncos are."