Melbourne’s stuttering attack turned full throttle as they blew the Warriors off the park 42-0 in their Anzac Day blockbuster.
After a sombre tribute with the lights turned off at AAMI Park, the Storm lit it up with eight tries to jump from sixth into third on the NRL ladder.
Despite five wins heading into the match, Melbourne had lamented their inability to find their tryline but they had no such trouble in their best performance of the year.
The home side got across the white stripe eight times in the opening half, although three were denied by the bunker.
They were racing the clock early on, scoring 16 points in 17 minutes with the Warriors’ defence plain woeful.
Melbourne forwards did all the early damage, dominating their rivals, and were rewarded with Tohu Harris, Tim Glasby and Jesse Bromwich all tryscorers.
In his second NRL match after a double on debut, Storm winger Suliasi Vunivalu looked to have scored twice in the first half but hit pay dirt with two tries late in the match.
After the embarrassing opening stanza the Warriors looked a different team in the second half.
They still weren’t in the same class as Melbourne but at least mounted a defence against the relentless attack.
However after coming close to scoring twice it was the home side who was in again, with Cooper Cronk crossing in the corner.
Compounding the misery for the Warriors, they lost Tuimoala Lolohea, who had replaced injured fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, late in the first half with a leg injury and he failed to return.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Who are the hardest working big men in the NRL?
The Roosters coach wasn't happy after a number of controversial calls went against them in their loss to the Storm - does he have…
Death, taxes and the Storm defying pre-season predictions that this year will be the one when they slip down the ladder. Inevitably, seven rounds…
The Storm wasted their Captain's Challenge in the first four minutes against the Roosters with the Nine team left wondering if they even knew…
Ryan Papenhuyzen was pleading for James Tedesco to be sent for ten. Was the Roosters skipper lucky to stay on the field?
This could've been disastrous for the Storm. Jahrome Hughes looked to have earnt a penalty but the non-call snowballed with Cameron Munster soon sent…
