Melbourne Storm qualified by being crowned the 2009 National Rugby League premiers with a 23–16 defeat of the Parramatta Eels, in the NRL Grand Final.

Melbourne played a warm-up game against the Harlequins RL Super League team at the Twickenham Stoop.

[6] Melbourne were without Cooper Cronk, Brett White and Ryan Tandy, with both sides giving a number of youngsters a taste of first-team action.

In slippery and rainy conditions, Leeds almost scored in the first few minutes when Brent Webb ran over, but was held up by Luke MacDougall on the last tackle.

After Sinfield left the field in the 30th minute with a leg injury, Rob Burrow kicked another penalty goal, leaving Leeds two points in front.

The half ended with the scored tied 4–all, after Hinchcliffe was denied a try in the 40th minute when a knock-on was spotted in the lead-up by the video referee.

Eight minutes into the second half, Smith attempted a grubber kick which landed in the path of Danny McGuire, who ran down the length of the field to score the first try.