Australia captain Darren Lockyer has bowed out of rugby league a winner after guiding the Kangaroos to a convincing 30-8 victory over an out-classed England in the Four Nations final at Elland Rd.
The champion five-eighth, playing his 59th and final Test, was all class as he expertly steered the visitors' attack to ensure a fitting finale following an illustrious 17-year career.
Lockyer signed off with a try in the shadows of full-time but soiled the fairytale finish slightly by missing the conversion from in front.
England, searching for their first major trophy since 1972, went with the Australians early but were completely over-run in the second half.
The final margin could have been far greater, the Kangaroos denied three tries by the video referee.
Australia were in front after just four minutes via Johnathan Thurston's right boot.
He launched a crossfield kick for Jharal Yow Yeh to collect and hand onto Chris Lawrence, who found Sam Thaiday on his inside and put the Brisbane forward over for his first international try.
Thurston converted from wide out and at 6-0 the game was following a familiar script.
The Kangaroos enjoyed all the early ball and field position but were frustrated in their attempts to show that dominance on the scoreboard.
Winger Akuila Uate was denied a try after 13 minutes when the video referee ruled his leg had grazed the sideline as he went to plan the ball down in the corner.
Eight minutes later the visitors again thought they had extended their lead.
Fullback Sam Tomkins made a mess of Lockyer's high, swerving bomb and the loose ball was quickly shovelled off to Lawrence for what appeared a far try.
But the video ref thought otherwise, controversially ruling Paul Gallen offside in the chase for the kick.
If that was contentious it had nothing on the England try shortly before the break.
Kevin Sinfield's long cut-out pass hit Ryan Hall and the winger pinned his ears back and headed for the line as Thurston and Luke Lewis came across in cover.
Thurston hit Hall high and then Lewis jolted the ball free following a heavy collision just as the Englishman was about to place it over the line.
The decision was sent upstairs as the crowd called for a penalty try in the belief Thurston's high shot had impeded Hall.
Their wishes were granted, the video referee agreeing Thurston's actions had prevented Hall from scoring even though it was the impact with Lewis that caused the ball to come loose
The Australians protested as Sinfield levelled scores at 6-all.
Thurston slotted a penalty goal right on half-time to ease the visitors ahead but the two-point lead was cancelled our soon after the break when Sinfield squared it up again with a penalty.
But after Yow Yeh claimed his third international try just before the hour mark, the match was all Australia's.
Thurston, in doubt all week with a groin injury, backed up a Gallen break to score soon after and Greg Inglis put the game to bed when he finished off a long-range effort 12 minutes from the end.
But the biggest celebration was reserved for Lockyer after he grubber kicked into the right upright and was first to claim the rebound to score in the final play of his career.
England 8
Tries: Hall
Goals: Sinfield 2
Australia 30
Tries: Thaiday, Yow Yeh, Thurston, Inglis, Lockyer
Goals: Thurston 5