As I marveled at Melbourne Storm's wizardry, led by sublime performances from three of the greatest players to ever lace up, I had to hit pause. The day prior to Melbourne's dismantling of North Queensland Cowboys, I wrote a few thoughts down for Patreon and explored the presence of their role-players who are far better than merely being role-players. In that moment, I put my #KiwiNRL goggles on and savoured the fact that I was watching perhaps the most influential #KiwiNRL performances since Benji Marshall's flick pass.

Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater were ... well they've definitely etched themselves into GOAT status. Josh Addo-Carr broke the game open, Curtis Scott and Will Chambers sent fear throughout the NRL as sent a warning of what they can do as Melbourne's mid/long-term centre pair and Cameron Munster fended, danced and pranced to lead Melbourne in tackle busts (6) and offloads (3). Forwards Jordan McLean, Felise Kaufusi, Dale Finucane and Tim Glasby all did their jobs to perfection as well.

That Melbourne Storm forward pack isn't made up of role-players though, just like you can't call Addo-Carr, Munster, Chambers, Scott or Suliasi Vunivalu role-players. Melbourne's forward pack is the best in the business and Aotearoa should rejoice because their dominant display through the middle blew the Cowboys away. The Cowboys didn't have nearly as many carries as Melbourne, so it's silly to highlight Jason Taumalolo's lack of involvement compared to his lofty standards. Pointing out that Taumalolo only averaged 10.33m/carry after averaging 11.77m/carry, 11.52m/carry and 12.19m/carry in the three games prior, is valid.

Jesse Bromwich may not be available for Aotearoa Kiwis and can now enjoy some well-earned time away from footy, he did re-emerge to stake his claim as the best prop in the NRL when it mattered most. Bromwich had 150m from 14 carries, averaging 10.71m/carry and putting Taumalolo in the shade; Bromwich played 54 minutes and Taumalolo 59 minutes. This was an improvement on Bromwich's season average of 9.88m/carry and he also put up a line break and offload, just for good measure.

The leader of Melbourne's forward pack was assisted by an epic performance from Tohu Harris. This was the type of performance that should have Warriors fans frothing as it didn't involve Harris playing his role exceptionally well within the Storm structure, it involved Harris doing that, plus adding his own splash of funk on top. Cue Harris throwing a 20m bomb to Addo-Carr:

Ignore the context of that try with the game already decided and ponder how many edge forwards can do that; land a 20m spiral pass in the bread-basket, while jogging forward. Maybe Wade Graham? That's merely Tohu Harris being Tohu Harris, not Harris doing his job in a structure, only running lines off of Cooper Cronk etc. Harris did that after already playing a strong hand in this game, he bounced off both feet to get a line break and averaged 11.3m/carry, while also leading all players in tackles with 43.

Edge forwards might be able to throw funky passes, they might be able to dazzle with their size and footwork, or they might be able to tackle their hearts out and lock down their edge defensively. Harris does it all and this season there has been plenty of noise about Felise Kaufusi on the right edge, possibly earning a Kangaroos World Cup spot. Kaufusi averaged 8.66m/carry (vs 11.3) and missed 5 tackles, making 38, compared to Harris' 2mt/43t, plus Harris only played 74mins and Kaufusi played 80mins.

Kenny Bromwich did his job perfectly, as did Slade Griffin (Greymouth's very own). That's where the job-doers come into the equation as Kenny slips on to the field to give the starting middle forwards a spell; Jesse and Finucane played 54mins, McLean 44. Griffin has a limited role and doesn't tend to get much game time, leaving me intrigued by their potential for more minutes next season. 

Even then, you can under-state the importance of Kenny's job because Nelson Asofa-Solomona's minutes coincide with Kenny's and you need have balance when you're rolling out such a beast like NAS. After last year's GF, I wondered how different the outcome may have been if NAS was playing and after this year's GF, well, the results speak for themselves; 22mins, 8 carries, 98m, 12.25m/carry, 4 tackle busts. 

The universe's desires robbed NAS of a GF last year, divine timing saw him deliver consistently freakish performances coming off the bench for typically 25mins, sometimes 40mins during Origin and then get his shot at a GF. During his three Finals games, NAS played 25mins, 29mins and 22mins, with 8 carries in all three games. The output offered from those 8 carries though and how he improved to a GF climax, is super noteworthy: 57m (7.12m/carry), 89m (11.12m/carry) and 98m (12.25m/carry). 

That's a 21-year-old cuzzie who built towards a GF and then delivered in the GF, in the same season in which he played 26 games, after playing 15 in 2016 and 12 games in 2015. A 21-year-old who has been building towards this very moment for the past three seasons and then showcased his potential - now certified ability - in the biggest game of the season. Nasty NAS is here folks, he's ready to take over the NRL and kinda already has.

Prior to this season I jacked the legend Nas' line 'Nasty Nas in your area, 'bout to cause mass hysteria' to use as a title for a profile thingy about Asofa-Solomona. Now, Nasty NAS is in your area and he's already causing mass hysteria as a 21-year-old phenom. 

Peave and love 27.

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