The Melbourne Storm have dominated the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Saturday Night, holding them scoreless and running on eight tries in a 44-point thrashing.
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While the Roosters could not be faulted on their effort, they just didn’t have the talent or skill to go with the Storm who were absolutely fantastic all game long.
Melbourne never changed from their game plan which worked to great effect. Even in the closing stages, they were still looking to attack, score points and stick to their structures.
The Roosters were forced to make almost 100 more tackles than the Storm, who had 60 per cent of the ball throughout the contest and, compounded with a number of errors from the Roosters – many of which were forced by the excellent defence – they simply never had a chance.
Ryan Matterson and Jackson Hastings simply were not able to insert themselves into the game, and Latrell Mitchell appeared to be a little uninterested, constantly looking to pass the ball and not popping up in the rare times they found themselves on the attack.
Undoubtedly the two best for the Roosters where Blake Ferguson and Jared Waerea Hargreaves, but against 17 men who were all playing straight out of the same manual their efforts were futile.
The Storm’s big win was led by unlikely hero Cameron Munster, reducing Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith to supporting roles as he took over the game. At every opportunity he looked to create, and he was ridiculously good at the back although never under a great deal of pressure making 214 metres.
Even though they didn’t lead the charge, Cronk and Smith played big roles and benefited from the Storm’s domination of the forwards.
Kevin Proctor, Jesse Bromwich and Dale Finucane were all fantastic while Nelson Asofa Solomona added a lot from the interchange bench.
The first try was for Suliasi Vinivalu from long range with a wonderful spread and then a strong run all the way to the line, straight around Latrell Mitchell.
The second was also for Vinivalu, who benefited from a great bit of work through Cronk and Munster, then a lovely flick pass from Ryan Morgan. The Fijian winger then somehow found his way through the cover defence to score, before one of the greatest goalkicks you will ever see as Cameron Smith slipped over and managed to put get it from the sideline.
Kevin Proctor then got his name on the scoresheet with a couple of flat balls from Cronk and Munster, and a poor defensive read.
At halftime it was 18-0.
It took a little while for the Storm to get going in the second half, but when they did they laid on five tries in 20 minutes with the Roosters simply not being able to answer.
Cameron Munster continued his dominant performance, while the forwards continued to roll up the middle and the team, after being under pressure for quarter of an hour managed to see it all off with some fantastic defence.
Cheyse Blair would be the first to score in the second half with Finucane taking on the line, getting rid of an offload and allowing Blair to run through a hole and score.
The very next set, after making a mountain of metres Cooper Cronk switched from right to left with a wonderful ball for Munster who then passed back to Cronk and he scored under the posts.
Cronk would then cross for a double after Cameron Smith passed out of dummy half before Munster himself scored out wide after there was a bit of push and shove in the background and some quick thinking from Cameron Smith.
Vinivalu would then finish things off with his third try for the evening off a Munster cut out ball.
So, a dominant performance from the Storm as they win their seventh straight and the Roosters stay glued in the bottom 2 on the ladder.
Final Score
Sydney Roosters 0
Melbourne Storm 46
Stats
Tries: Roosters (0), Storm (8)
Goals: Roosters (0), Storm (7/8)
Possession: Roosters (40%), Storm (60%)
Completions: Roosters (24/33), Storm (37/39)
All Runs: Roosters (142), Storm (204)
All Run Metres: Roosters (1203), Storm (2014)
Line breaks: Roosters (0), Storm (11)
Offloads: Roosters (10), Storm (12)
Tackles: Roosters (397), Storm (293)
Missed Tackles: Roosters (32), Storm (14)
Penalties: Roosters (5), Storm (4)
Errors: Roosters (10), Storm (3)
The Roar’s NRL MVP votes
3 – Cameron Munster
2 – Cooper Cronk
1 – Kevin Proctor
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
Awww, so that means now that coach Robinson is getting from bad to worse?
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Hi Muzz The Storm rise in team ratings has coincided with the improvement Cronk’s key stats as he hits the top of the leaders board in the DallyM Medal. (won in 2013) In 2016 he has taken his Running Metres from 27.8m (rounds 1-4) to 52.8m (5-13), an improvement of 25 metres per game. The entire team has gone up a notch and improved in every key stat, not bad considering they finished 4th last year and lost 2 Origin players. Craig Bellamy, his assistant coaches and the entire system are as good as it gets.
Muzz
Guest
Can the Storm win it, Scotty? The poor Sharks are ripe but there are 3 other contenders.
Albo
Guest
Whilst ever the Storm have Smith & Cronk running the show, plus having Munster fast approaching Slater's status, they will beat any team even with an average rest of roster ! As it is they a very good pack, very well marshalled by their big two. compared to the Roosters whose pack is below par at present and they have no playmakers or generals to lead them around the park. Last nights result was most predictable.
Critta
Guest
I am a Roosters supporter and was at the game. The Storm are so professional in all aspects of their game and thoroughly deserved their win. Meantime the Roosters need to make some changes. Daniel Tupou is a liability in every game he plays. He dropped the ball on his first hit up and put the Roosters under pressure from the start. He came in early to make a tackle, twice!!, and missed his mark both times and cost the Roosters the first two tries against them. Blake Ferguson is over rated, the writer put him done as one of the Roosters best , but he was far from it. He is not he dangerous attacking player he was the past few seasons, rarely makes a break ( much like Duggan at the saints) and Jackson Hastings is NOT up to being a first grade half back. He cannot take control of a game and he basically catches and passes. His long kicking game is woeful and predictable. Unless Robertson makes a few changes ( he's got nothing to loose as the season is done for us) we will probably not win another game this year given the Roosters draw. Great game by the Storms and so sad for the chooks.
Wolly
Roar Guru
Got to admit this one did hurt after feeling like there was a bit of momentum building, but credit to the Storm who played very well. I can see them making the GF this year going by recent form.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
tOPUTZ The Storm beat a full strength Cowboys at Suncorp. ....and btw, the Broncos defeated the raiders 26-18 on the w/end
Alex L
Roar Rookie
What the heck kind of metric is the top 7, we work in top 8s here Greg. Regardless, of the current top 7 on the NRL ladder (which is 6 teams given the Storm are in the top 7) the Storm have played 4 opponents and gone 2-2. If you assume the Eels are getting the boot from the 8 and compare to the other 7 teams in the 8 (at time of writing that's Sharks, Broncos, Cowboys, Raiders, Bulldogs, Warriors, and Titans -- one expects Penrith to overtake the Titans later today) the Storm have played 5 of 7 teams (2 twice) and gone 5-2 including a win over the defending premiers and two instances of holding other teams to zero.
Benny
Guest
Fair call, except I would probably argue that with the form SKD was in he was slightly above Chambers. He was in a real purple patch before his injury. Nevertheless, in terms of how important they are to the team, the missing roosters players are more crucial
Renegade
Roar Guru
Chambers and Slater are still both better players than anyone the roosters missing..
Toputz
Guest
You mean the Broncos that got flogged on the weekend by Warriors?
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Rick They beat the Premiers away in Brisbane, I would have thought that was a fair test.
Benny
Guest
I don't agree that slater was best FB in the game last year, up there but quite the best. True though that he was a big out for them last year but I don't so much think he is this year because they've had time with munster at FB to get used to it, as opposed to the roosters injuries. Chambers certainly up there (not sure about best centre but top 3) and is a big out. The other players you mentioned are fairly replaceable, except maybe for Green. But compare it to roosters missing their best centre, their starting HB, their second best prop, their best second rower, just not quite comparable in injuries IMO. Certainly no excuse though, storm are great at finding replacements to do the job.
RICK 88
Guest
A good win, it looks like they are starting to put it together, the big test will be the Bronco's that will be an indication of where they stand in the competition.they have a good set of forwards and now look settled, the backs have now cemented there positions, even without Chambers, With a Media down here (Victoria) who can't see passed AFL its good to see League and Rugby making in roads into the Sport down here,
Dan
Guest
Slater was best FB in game at time of injury in 2015. Chambers best centre in the game. Both instrumental to their attack and defence (Slater best defensive organiser in the game). Throw in Green, Hampton, Tonumaipea, Hawkins...
Joe
Roar Rookie
The Storm forward pack just keep rolling on. Munster was exceptional. Vunivalu gets his first hat trick after getting 4 doubles and this is just his 7th game. The whole team played well even the new recruits Morgan and Cheyse Blair who have somehow become decent first graders under Bellamy. This after losing their five eighth Green in the warm up and they put on 44 unanswered points in a very polished performance. Players just slot in and get on with the job. Unbelievable performance from the Storm.
Benny
Guest
Yeah but the difference is that the storm aren't missing their stars. Roosters arguably missing their 3 best players
Jacksyd
Guest
With 17 v 17 50 pts is still 50 pts
Greg
Guest
The Storm have had an easy draw......looking at the current ladder, they've only beaten one team in the current top 7
Dan
Guest
Interesting that the Daily Telegraph and SMH refer to the "injury-ravaged" Roosters, neglecting to mention that Melbourne were missing 5 starters from their squad at the start of the year.