Melbourne showed that pride meant just as much as premiership points when they put the worst week in NRL history behind them to crush the Warriors.
Even Storm skipper Cameron Smith doubted his side could lift to produce such a stunning performance at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, running in seven tries to one for a 40-6 victory.
“That fight we have for each other and the way the boys performed today was outstanding,” Smith said.
“I think a lot of people around the country and probably around the world would have doubted us to be able to get up for the match.
“We certainly proved to a lot of people what it means to play for the Melbourne Storm.”
They played like defending champions and not like a club in disgrace and disarray since their massive salary cap rort was exposed.
Stripped of all points for this season and of their two premierships since 2007 and with sponsors bailing, coach Craig Bellamy rallied his troops at a fan day on Saturday saying they would stand up for themselves and fight their way back.
The players answered his call with courage on Sunday as 23,906 fans turned out to cheer them on.
Bellamy said he knew his players would try their best.
“That’s what they pride themselves on, that’s the calibre of player we’ve got here.
“I didn’t see that scoreline but I knew they’d have a red-hot go.”
Showing their intent from the kick-off prop Aiden Tolman, who later left the ground with an injured knee, steamed into the Warriors defence.
Their first try came fittingly to Smith, who earlier led the side out on to the ground to rapturous cheers, as well as a few boos.
Smith burrowed across the line from dummy-half in the 16th minute and was swamped by his teammates.
The tireless hooker also kicked six from seven conversions to finish with 16 points for the match.
Among the other tryscorers was 19-year-old winger Matt Duffie, who had a double on debut.
After taking a 22-0 lead to the sheds, the second half started and finished much the same, with the only change the volume of the cheering crowd, which seemed to grow louder as the match wore on.
The Warriors finally got on the board with three minutes remaining, through Ukuma Ta’ai.
Warriors coach Ivan Cleary described his team as “accommodating visitors”.
“Once they hit the lead we slipped into the role of bridesmaid for the day,” he said, lamenting his side’s poor completion rate.
He said the circumstances of the match were unusual but that couldn’t be used as an excuse.
Warriors skipper Micheal Luck said he didn’t feel cheated, playing against a side who had been branded cheats.
“You play what’s in front of you, every week you go out and play the 13 guys on the other side.
“Those guys don’t just play for money, they play for pride and respect and their teammates.”
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