Broncos and Storm name their Grand Final teams

Anticipation is building ahead of the historic National Rugby League (NRL) Grand Final between the Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos this Sunday night in Sydney.

All the pre-match formalities were done today with both clubs naming their teams and the NRL announced the match referees for the big match.

The Storm has named a 20-man squad with three to be omitted, former Rooster and forward hardman Michael Crocker has missed out due to his season ending knee injury sustained last weekend against the St George-Illawarra Dragons.

Coming into the extend squad are Jake Webster, Jamie Feeney, Garrett Crossman and Jeremy Smith.

For the Broncos, they remain unchanged from the team that disposed of the Bulldogs last Friday night. Prop forward Petero Civoniceva was charged for his high tackle on Sonny Bill Williams, however an early guilty plea along with a good record has seen him handed a reprimand.

In other news related to the Premiership decider, the NRL today announced the match referees with Paul Simpkins getting the post ahead of fellow veteran whistle blower Steve Clark.

Simpkins, who will officiate in his first grand final, was ecstatic with the decision and described it as the pinnacle of his career despite having been in the middle of State of Origins and Test matches.

“No matter what your role in the game you want to earn the right to be there on Grand Final Day and it’s certainly been a dream of mine as a referee,” said Simpkins.

“We’ve got a great squad of referees and to be selected out of that squad for this game is something you’ve got to take a bit of pride in.”

Touch judges Rod Lawrence and Steve Carroll will join Simpkins, while Bill Harrigan and Chris Ward have been appointed video referees.

Meanwhile, the NRL trophy took an unexpected detour on route from Sydney to Melbourne today, mysteriously emerging in the Western Australian capital of Perth.

Local photographer Col Whelan told Channel 7, “I took the trophy with me and checked it into oversized baggage, it was tagged and everything like that, but when I arrived in Melbourne one hour and seven minutes later, I went down and the trophy wasn't there.”

“I'm not going to cast any aspersions, but somewhere out there is a very lonely trophy looking for a home and if it wants to ring me, I'd love to hear from it.”

Qantas were unavailable for comment, however NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley reassured all fans that the trophy would be at the Telstra Stadium on Sunday evening.

Melbourne Storm: 1. Billy Slater, 2. Matt Geyer, 3. Matt King, 4. Greg Inglis, 5. Steve Turner, 6. Scott Hill, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Antonio Kaufusi, 9. Cameron Smith ©, 10. Brett White, 11. David Kidwell, 12. Ryan Hoffman, 13. Dallas Johnson. Interchange Bench: 14. Adam Blair, 15. Jeremy Smith, 16. Ben Cross, 17. Nathan Friend, 18. Jake Webster, 19. Garret Crossman, 20. Jamie Feeney. (three to be omitted).

Brisbane Broncos: 1. Justin Hodges, 2. Daris Boyd, 3. Brent Tate, 4. David Stagg, 5. Karmichael Hunt, 6. Darren Lockyer ©, 7. Shane Perry, 8. Shane Webcke, 9. Shaun Berrigan, 10. Petero Civoniceva, 11. Sam Thaiday, 12. Brad Thorn, 13. Tonie Carroll. Interchange Bench: 14. Corey Parker, 15. Dane Carlaw, 16. Ben Hannant, 17. Casey McGuire, 18. Tame Tupou. (one to be omitted).

NRL Premiership - Grand Final Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos Telstra Stadium, Sydney Sunday Night, October 1

Kick-Off: 7:00pm (local/AEST time), 5:00pm (WA), 6:30pm (ACST)

Live Coverage on Channel 9 (NSW/QLD/VIC), Check local guides for replay time and more information.