While Manly's opening grand final try was greeted with a mixture of joy and relief by the maroon-clad contingent inside ANZ Stadium, in Kingaroy it was pure delight.

It's safe to say the South Burnett town was already squarely behind the Sea Eagles in yesterday's clash against Melbourne thanks to Matt Ballin's rise this season, his first full year in first grade.

And when the diminutive hooker translated his side's early dominance into points - despite the efforts of three Storm opponents - the entire community rejoiced.

Ballin's try in the 24th minute opened the floodgates to a 40-0 grand final whitewash few predicted, even in Kingaroy, where there's a surprising number of Sea Eagles supporters since Ballin cemented his starting position in Des Hasler's side.

It hasn't always been plain sailing for the 24-year-old who began his career with Broncos feeder club Toowoomba but departed Brisbane without registering a first grade game.

Ballin left town - and his close family - shattered but determined to prove Wayne Bennett wrong.

The journey south ended at Manly, where Ballin made his debut early in the 2007 season.

Then, when Michael Monagahan left for the UK's Super League after last year's grand final loss, Ballin stepped forward.

He played every game this season and now owns a premiership ring to show off to his detractors.

"There are a fair few people who aren't Manly fans who now have to be Manly fans because they're very loyal to him," Ballin's former coach at Kingaroy State High School Scott Rowan said today.

"People who know him well would have had goosebumps and grins from ear-to-ear to see him score that first try.

"I know that there were a few yahoos in our house."