Well, it’s come down to this, the Storm playing the Broncos in the 2025 NRL Grand Final.
Certainly, over the past few weeks the cream has risen to the top.
I think it is also important to tip your hat to Craig Bellamy, the Storms’ super-successful coach. That his record boasts 22 final series in 23 years, seven Dally M Coach of the Year awards and three Premierships is simply outstanding.
When considering great coaches, it is not easy to compare eras and the particular challenges each era delivers, but Bellamy has navigated challenges few other, if any, coaches have faced.
In this modern game, his ability to build a team is second to none, and many players owe him plenty for their careers.
The NRL is blessed with a few really good coaches at the moment, but it is interesting that the best coaches have their teams playing the most expansive footy.
The Storm is going to be very hard to beat on Sunday, but if there is a team that has the talent to do it, it is the Broncos. In the modern game which is highly organised on the field, it seems the Broncos are a team that bucks the trend.
As frustrating as they can be at times, on their day, they are simply the best!
But both the Storm and the Broncos are laced with a magic that lures and excites the fans and makes the NRL the great product it is.
There are enough players in both these teams to provide a moment of inspiration that will propel their team to glory, and it is mouthwatering to even think about it now.
But maybe the men sitting in the coaches’ boxes will have the biggest impact of all.
Michael Maguire, wearing his Broncos hat, up against the Storm’s Craig Bellamy – both have the credentials.
But then there is superstar Reece Walsh – will this brilliant young Brisbane fullback make the Grand Final his own?
