Here is a little bit of GF trivia that most of you already know, however as I hate Melbourne it is good to put some perspective into things this week even if it means getting on my soapbox.
Melbourne Storm will play their 7th grand final in the 19 years since they joined the comp in 1997. This is a fantastic achievement and one that should be recognised (sarcasm).
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Of their 6 appearances to date they have "won" 4 and lost 2, although 2 of their wins were subsequently taken away for salary cap breaches. The 2 they lost occurred during the salary cap rorting period and the minor premierships they won in those years were also taken away. So effectively, without breaching the salary cap rules, Melbourne has managed to legitimately play in only 3 grand finals in 19 years.
So have Roosters (6), Broncos (5), Manly (5) and Dogs (3) making the Storms achievement not as fantastic despite the wanking of the press and the continued forgetting of the fact they cheated.
Between 1976 and 1986, the mighty Parramatta Eels legitimately appeared in 7 grand finals (8 if you count the 1977 replay) in 11 years and legitimately won 4, (drew 1) and lost 3, including the last triple peat.
3 in 19 years versus 7 in 11 years - yeah right, Melbourne are one of the best clubs ever - not.
(exit soapbox)
