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Melbourne star Billy Slater has made a triumphant return from injury, scoring two tries in his side’s comfortable 28-10 NRL win over Parramatta on Sunday evening.
In his first game since hurting his shoulder in round five, the Storm fullback bagged a double and set up another in a dynamic performance that will warm the heart of Queensland coach Mal Meninga ahead of the upcoming State of Origin series.
The turning point came just after halftime when, with scores locked at 10-all, the video referee denied Chris Sandow a try due to a double movement.
Melbourne scored minutes later when – with Eels forward Richie Fa’aoso hurt in the backfield – Cooper Cronk kicked on a dime for winger Marika Koroibete.
Fa’aoso, who made a long-awaited return from a broken neck in Round 7, was then substituted under the concussion rule but later returned.
The Storm’s lead kicked out into double digits on Slater’s cutout pass for Will Chambers in the 52nd minute and then Dale Finucane sealed the victory in the 70th.
The win pushes Melbourne into second spot on the NRL ladder, while the defeat puts the Eels alongside Manly and Cronulla at the bottom of the ladder.
The Maroons fullback opened the scoring for the visitors in the sixth minute, nabbing his first try of the season when he backed up for a short ball from Mahe Fonua.
The hosts replied on Will Hopoate’s crash run in the 18th, then he helped give his side the lead by showing quick hands to put Ryan Morgan over in the 29th.
A Kevin Proctor offload four minutes later gave Slater his second of the half, and Smith’s conversion levelled the scores 10-10 at halftime.
Eels forward David Gower came from the field with an ankle injury in the first half and never returned.
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