Players ratings from the Telstra Premiership qualifying final between Melbourne Storm and South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Melbourne Storm
1. Billy Slater: An experienced player who again showed great composure both when tested at the back, and with ball in hand. Was calm under pressure setting up Melbourne's opening try. 7/10
2. Suliasi Vunivalu: Was dangerous in attack and defence. Showing his desire for heavy contact, he raced out of the line on several occasions to but the big hit on, and showed all his dangerous speed to race away to regather a downfield kick right on halftime. 7
3. Cheyse Blair: Solid performance, made the most metres out of all of the backs in the first half and produced a couple of line breaks. His show of strength, carrying defenders over the line to keep his side in the contest late in the second half. 7.5
4. Curtis Scott: Went looking for the ball, all over the field, but the Souths defence looked to have the better of him. 5
5. Josh Addo-Carr: Was not the best first half from "The Foxx". Souths put him under a bit of pressure with their kicking game, and came up short as the Rabbitohs scored the opening points. Redeemed himself with the great break down the sideline and kick for Melbourne's match-levelling try. 5.5
Munster wins it at the death
6. Cameron Munster: Was kept relatively quiet with ball in hand, but his kicking game was important. But cometh the hour, cometh the man. Calmly slotted the match-winner. 7.5
19. Brodie Croft: There was little signs of finals nerves from the youngster. He regularly took the line on and sliced through with ease several times. The highlight his flashy run and kick right in the path of Vunivalu for the try of the match. 8
8. Jesse Bromwich: Made some good metres in the first half, and was solid in defence with a great tackle efficiency after spending most of the match on the field. 6
9. Cameron Smith: Did well to stay in the match and have is controlling impact for the Storm, after getting a poke in the eye early. Did not run the ball much, but had 38 tackles and good passing numbers. His conversions were important. 7.5
10. Tim Glasby: The Maroons prop had limited minutes in the match, but his work-rate was not that high for a final, making only seven hit ups and 15 tackles. 4.5
11. Felise Kaufusi: Arguably Melbourne's best forward. He had an impact with nearly every run and tackle. Was fiery in defence and produced a stunning hit on Sam Burgess in the first half, and his passing game set up Scott for the opening try for the Storm. 8
12. Joe Stimson: The back rower played the full 80 minutes, and had some solid numbers. His runs were dangerous with two tackle breaks, and a try assist. 6
13. Dale Finucane: Made the most hit-ups among the Melbourne forwards, producing the highest metres, and finished with the most tackles. Had a work-rate like a machine. 7
Slater brilliance sends Vunivau over
Interchange:
14. Brandon Smith: Very quiet match in attack. From his 23 minutes on field, he had just one run. But a positive was his defence, he made 20 tackles in defence. 4.5
15. Christian Welch: Only played 27 minutes, but it was a matter of quality not quantity. He did not have the highest numbers, but from his five runs he made two tackle breaks. 5
17. Kenny Bromwich: Off the bench, he had double-figure runs and more than 20 tackles. Made a solid contribution to the forward pack. 6
20. Sam Kasiano: Had the least amount of time on the field from Melbourne, with just nine minutes. So it was a reasonable effort considering. 4
South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Alex Johnston: Quietest member of the South Sydney backline. No frills performance and safe under the high ball. 6/10
2. Campbell Graham: Good defence early. Batted ball back well for the first try. Strong tackling. 6.5
3. Greg Inglis: Inspiring performance by the skipper. Felled by a Suliasi Vunivalu tackle but stayed on to score two tries. 8
4. Dane Gagai: Led the way in defence early, scored a try and organised well in attack down his edge. But couldn't stop Cheyse Blair from scoring. 6.5
Inglis left reeling after Bromwich tackle
5. Robert Jennings: Excellent after a quiet start. Let in two tries down his flank, but redeemed by offload to Inglis and scored crucial 63rd-minute try. 6
6. Cody Walker: Some nice touches including a second-half line-break. But spent most of his time organising in attack. Held firm in defence. 7
7. Adam Reynolds: Shrugged off a shoulder injury in first half and did most of Rabbitohs' general kicking. Courageous and kept trying all night. 7
8. Thomas Burgess: Imposed himself early in attack with strong runs. Workman-like effort through the middle. 6.5
9. Damien Cook: Gave crisp service from dummy-half and chose his moments to run. A solid shift but was kept in check by Storm for most of game. 6
10. George Burgess: Sin binned for a professional foul. But a solid display through the middle, particularly early. 5.5
11. John Sutton: Busy early in defence, forced a turnover. Ran for 154 metres in 16 carries. 6
Gagai gets the opening try
12. Angus Crichton: Quiet night in attack but made good tackles, popping up at crucial times. Not allowed to run by Storm. 6.5
13. Sam Burgess: A mixed night. Knocked-on three times in the first 30 minutes. Missed tackle on Brodie Croft led to a try. But also ran for 183 metres. 5
Interchange:
14. Hymel Hunt: Didn't get on the park. N/A
15. Cameron Murray: Scored a hit-and-spin try from nothing to give Souths the lead. Solid in defence and a tireless runner with the footy. 6.5
16. Jason Clark: Only got 20 minutes of time on the park. Nothing of note. Seven runs for 59 metres. 5
17. Dean Britt: Didn't get on the park. N/A
