The big moment arrived on rugby league's biggest stage - and the biggest names stood tall.
Melbourne's clinical 14-4 win over Canterbury in Sunday's NRL grand final was a triumph for the Storm's 'Big Three'.
Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and Cam Smith, I thought, were the difference. No doubt.
Cronk's kicking game in that first half was varied and highly effective. It was brilliant.
He also threw a lovely short pass for Slater's try and put through a superb cross-field kick for Justin O'Neill's try right on half-time.
Slater was brilliant throughout, as was Smith.
I wrote last week that these three players could well be difference - and they were.
Melbourne played an up-tempo game and I thought the big difference was the kicking game of Cronk compared to his Canterbury opposite, Kris Keating.
Cronk was a deserved Clive Churchill Medal winner, just ahead of Slater.
I thought the Storm put intense pressure on Ben Barba and really shut him down.
In fact, I thought Craig Bellamy's game plan worked to perfection in such a big game.
For the Bulldogs, five-eighth Josh Reynolds looked dangerous all match. I thought he was outstanding.
I have no doubt that Reynolds and Barba will take their place at State of Origin level sooner rather than later.
In hindsight, O'Neill's try was probably the clincher.
It gave Melbourne a 10-point half-time lead and we all know how hard it is to rundown the Storm.
I think they have now won 38 games from 39 when in front at half-time. Amazing.
A few things went against Canterbury in the second half.
The most telling moment came in the 62nd minute when Barba made a break and kicked for centre Josh Morris.
The bouncing ball flew skywards and was punched deal by Slater.
Had the ball been kind, Morris would have scored and we were heading for a grandstand finish.
But it just wasn't meant to be for Canterbury.
They just never really found their groove - that mainly through Melbourne's smothering defence.
O'Neill, Dane Nielsen, Will Chambers, Sisa Waqa and were fantastic defensively.
Canterbury lost but good times lie ahead at Belmore.
With Reynolds, Barba and Michael Ennis in their 'spine', you think a premiership is just around the corner.
Coach Des Hasler has instilled a mental toughness at the club too.
The Dogs lost on Sunday - but Canterbury fans shouldn't be too depressed.It was a stellar season and the Bulldogs will be back next year - bigger and better.
