The Melbourne Storm have claimed a crucial two points after defeating the Penrith Panthers 24-6 in wet conditions at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
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With Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith late inclusions for the Storm, many believed this would result in a big win for Melbourne but the Panthers stepped up and scored the first try through Josh Mansour in the corner.
This seemed to kick the Storm into gear as Cronk and Smith took over the game. Jesse Bromwich got the Storm on the board in the 18th minute, but a missed conversion meant the Panthers kept a two-point lead.
With the Melbourne forwards beginning to dominate, it wasn’t long before Kevin Proctor scored to give the Storm the lead. A deft kick by Cronk would result in a try to Ryan Morgan that saw Melbourne take a 10-point lead into half time.
With a handy 10-point lead up their sleave, the Storm didn’t rest on their laurels in the second half. After 24 minutes of back and forth football, a penalty goal by Smith extended the lead to 12 points in favour of the Storm.
True to form the Storm went into game management mode and despite some flashes of attacking brilliance by Dallin Watene-Zalezniak and Bryce Cartwright, the home side hung tough in defence.
A late try to Cronk after a barnstorming run and offload by Nelson Asofa-Solomona sealed an 18-point win for Melbourne.
The win sees the Storm go top of the ladder temporarily, while the Panthers continue to languish in the middle the table.
Final score
Melbourne Storm 24
Penrith Panthers 6
The Roar’s NRL MVP votes
The votes from this contest were tough to pick with a number of Storm players putting their hands up aft big games.
All three of these men could have been put in any order whatsoever but for the sake of this match summary I have gone with the votes in this order.
After making a miracle recovery from injury to get up for Wednesday night, there was doubt over Cooper Conk backing up tonight, but he did and he was at his best with tree try assists, a try of his own and a great display of kicking sees him get the nod just ahead of a couple of his forwards.
The two votes go to Tohu Harris who was a dominant force up front for the Storm as he racked up 200 metres and 29 tackles.
Only just missing out on more votes was Jesse Bromwich whose firs half helped set up the win and he finished wit 192 metres and a try.
3 – Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm)
2 – Tohu Harris (Melbourne Storm)
1 – Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne Storm)
TS
Guest
Thanks for your insightful input. Even with one eye he has a point. That's a shoulder charge end of story.
Dan
Guest
It wasn't a shoulder charge and review committee have said as much.
Brian S
Guest
I have put my money were my mouth is but i want better odds only got 9/1
RICK 88
Guest
Put your money where your mouth is, Brian S
RICK 88
Guest
Well Widget, I will make a prediction, the Storm will make the Top 4, as for hating its all coming from NSW, just read, (Have your Say) I am not bold enough to say they will be on the top at the end of the season, as there are 4 or 5 teams that could be there.
RICK 88
Guest
Give us a Break Jack, open the other eye.
Albo
Guest
With 6 more home games, a bye and games including against St George, Tigers, Knights & Souths , they are surely already in the final 8 plus ?
Bill Larkin
Guest
Do you know what "temporarily" means?
Bill Larkin
Guest
Some pretty irrational haters posting here. Please show me where Sterlo says Storm are 100/1.
Widget
Roar Guru
Well it's not a definite spot on top of the ladder yet. I don't know what your problem is champ, you seem to be hating on everything. Tell me one thing, are the Storm definitely going to be top of the ladder at the end of the round?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Fairly sure it's a special rule situation (as is the case with contact on a player attacking in the air) because I sincerely doubt that it was missed, reminiscent of that Kasiano/Pritchard cover tackle in the pacific test last year that wasn't penalised.
One eyed jack
Guest
My thoughts exactly. That's a shoulder charge every day of the week except when it comes to Melbourne. What a disgrace? It was a critical time of the game too. I'm sick of seeing Melbourne and Qld get the rub of of the green every game because of the Smith does no wrong factor.
Blake Standfield
Roar Guru
Haha
Richard Maybury
Guest
With the Eels out of it and the storm sitting on 22 points, the storm are pretty much in the 8 already.
Brian S
Guest
I still don't think the Storm will make the 8, i'm with sterlo here & they should be 100/1 odds;) can't anybody but sterlo & me see were they'll finish;)??!
Richard Maybury
Guest
"the Storm go top of the ladder temporarily" How do you know this is so ??? Got some massive crystal ball on the Sharks Bulldogs game ???
Dutski
Roar Guru
Massive hit to put Watene-Zalezniak over the sideline. No use of the arms at all. Does that count as a shoulder charge or is there some special rule when it's preventing a try like you have for strips?
Joe
Roar Rookie
The Storm forwards were again the key to the victory and they were gaining ground in every tackle. The defense was smothering from the whole team and kept the dangerous panthers players contained. Vunivalu made a few mistakes but considering he has played less than 30 league games in his entire life it can be forgiven. He is improving as is the other youngsters like Nelson Asofa-Solomona who is a beast. The good thing with this young Storm team is there is still a lot of improvement in it as the younger guys gain experience and when the likes of Will Chambers returns. In a way Chambers injury was a blessing in disguise as they relied on him too much for points instead of playing the team game. Good win by the Storm.