When US rapper Macklemore sang his smash hit 'Glorious' before kick-off in the NRL grand final, he could have been singing it about Melbourne's big three.
After a decade of dominance, which included an extraordinary seven grand finals, the Storm sealed their second official NRL premiership in a fitting finale for Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and Cameron Smith playing together in club land for the last time.
With Cronk moving to Sydney and with retirement a possibility, it was the last stand for the super-star Storm trio. Slater is also yet to declare his playing future as he is off contract this year.
With no Sydney team or even a NSW player to support the crowd at ANZ Stadium - the smallest since Melbourne's 2006 grand final against Brisbane - appeared split down the middle.
They were united however when Macklemore performed his pro-same sex anthem 'Same Love' and declared "equality for all" to the 79,722 in the crowd .
The first half was far from equal as Melbourne scored three tries to race to a 18-0 lead, with Slater touching down just before half-time.
The Cowboys, at the end of an injury-ravaged season that included losing captains Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott, suffered another blow losing prop Shaun Fensom to a broken leg in the third minute.
It seemed an omen of things to come.
At halftime Smith's daughter Jada and Slater's daughter Tyla Rose, who are the Storm's ball kids, were dancing on the sidelines in anticipation of the fulltime celebration.
Their dads even gave their kids a kiss as they ran off the field at the break, also knowing their work was almost done.
The brave Cowboys rallied with a second half try to Te Maire Martin.
But the Storm, who have only lost four games all season, showed their class as they scored a further three tries to atone for last year's grand final loss to Cronulla.
It was a fitting end for a once-in-a-generation trio, overseen by coach Craig Bellamy.
Clive Churchill medallist Slater, who missed last year's grand final after sitting out the season with a shoulder injury, was in tears post-match saying he didn't know if his body would allow him to play again.
Cronk was also philosophical, saying: "I don't know what I'd be without the Melbourne Storm".
The club surely feels the same way about him, Smith and Slater.
