Monday?s Expert League Wrap -
Finals Week 3

With wins to the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm over the weekend, the NRL will be celebrating its first ever 'non-Sydney' grand final.

The Canterbury Bulldogs were the first to bow out on Friday night, going down 37-20 to the Broncos in a sensational turnaround of events. Leading 20-6 at half time, the Bulldogs were unable to withstand a second half onslaught from Brisbane as they racked up 31 unanswered points. The Broncos now advance to the premiership decider next Sunday.

Saturday night was a closer affair which saw minor premiers Melbourne post an impressive 24-10 victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons. It?s the end of the road for the Dragons who rallied late in season but were simply outgunned on the day. The Storm rose to the occasion with tremendous combination of defence and fire power before scoring a late try to seal the deal. It was a polished display from Melbourne and they should earn favouritism for next Sunday?s grand final against the Broncos.

All match results and details are listed below.

NEXT SUNDAY - 1 October 2006:
7:00pm - NRL GRAND FINAL
STORM v BRONCOS - Telstra Stadium

NSWRL Curtain Raisers
2:00pm - Jersey Flegg Cup Grand Final
Newcastle Knights v Penrith Panthers - Telstra Stadium
4:00pm - Premier League Grand Final
Parramatta Eels v Newtown Jets - Telstra Stadium

Grand Final Live Updates - ALL THREE GRADES
LeagueUnlimited.com will be covering all three grades from 2:00pm on grand final day with up-to-the-minute live scores.
FULL NRL DRAW, RESULTS & LINKS TO LIVE SCORES ? CLICK HERE

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MATCH RESULTS:
League Wrap: Finals - Week 3, 22-23 September 2006

National Rugby League

Canterbury Bulldogs: 20
Tries: Brent Sherwin, Matthew Utai, Daniel Holdsworth
Goals: Hazem El Masri 4/4
Brisbane Broncos: 37
Tries: Shaun Berrigan(2), Dane Carlaw, Darren Lockyer, Corey Parker, Brent Tate, Darius Boyd
Goals: Darren Lockyer 1/1, Corey Parker 3/6
Field Goals: Darren Lockyer
Half time: Bulldogs 20-6
Venue: Aussie Stadium
Crowd: 29.511
Referee: Paul Simpkins
Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Darren Lockyer (Broncos)
2 - Justin Hodges (Broncos)
1 - Tonie Carroll (Broncos)

Melbourne Storm: 24
Tries: Greg Inglis, Antonio Kaufusi, Matt King, Steve Turner
Goals: Matt Geyer 1/1, Cameron Smith 3/3
St George Illawarra Dragons: 10
Tries: Matt Cooper, Brett Morris
Goals: Aaron Gorrell 1/1, Mathew Head 0/1
Half time: Storm 12-6
Venue: Telstra Stadium
Crowd: 40,901
Referee: Steven Clark
Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Matt King (Storm)
2 - Cameron Smith (Storm)
1 - Greg Inglis (Storm)

LeagueUnlimited.com players of the match are decided by our live score updaters.

NSWRL Premier League Results
Friday, September 22 at Aussie Stadium:
Parramatta Eels 20 defeated Manly Sea Eagles 16
Saturday, September 23 at Telstra Stadium:
Newtown Jets 38 defeated St George Illawarra Dragons 28

NSWRL Jersey Flegg Results
Sunday, September 23 at Leichhardt Oval:
Penrith Panthers 29 defeated the Bulldogs 22
Newcastle Knights 23 defeated St George Illawarra Dragons 22