The Melbourne Storm withstood a late charge from the Wests Tigers on Sunday, running out the winners by nine points and returning to the top of the NRL table.
REPORT: STORM WITHSTAND TIGERS FIGHTBACK
Final score
Melbourne Storm 29
Wests Tigers 20
The Melbourne Storm will look to regain their spot at the top of the NRL table when they play Wests Tigers this week. Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a blog of the game, starting from 4pm AEST.
The Storm currently sit one win behind the Cronulla Sharks after the Sharks yesterday took a golden point victory over the New Zealand Warriors.
Given they’ve been winning by a bit more on average this year, the Storm will jump ahead of the Sharks on the table should they win – though it’s worth noting they will have played one more game.
Dropping the ball here would give the Sharks the opportunity to go one game clear ahead of them next time the Storm have the bye – so getting the win is important.
To do this, their task is to dispatch the Wests Tigers, who themselves sit in fourteenth on the table with six wins and eight losses for the season.
The match between these two earlier in the year was a cracker, with the Storm ultimately coming out the winners thanks to a Cooper Cronk field goal in golden point.
The Tigers have won three of their past four matches on the trot however and so come into this with some form and confidence.
The Storm will have Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith backing up from their State of Origin appearances on Wednesday night though the same goes for the Tigers when it comes to Robbie Farah and Aaron Woods.
Prediction
While there’s certainly a bit of potential for an upset in this one – especially given how close the previous match between this pair was – the Storm will deservingly head in as the favourites, and should record a win here.
Storm by 8.
Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a blog of the game, starting from 4pm AEST.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Well done Brent, i thought it was gunna be a blowout, wonder whay happened in both sheds at half time?
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Kafusi, i think.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
It was nice to see the Storm wake up from their half hour long nap on the field at the end there...
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Click here for the full match report from this game Full Time That will do it, the Melbourne Storm scrape home after holding a 26 point lead at half time get home by nine points. The Tigers staged an almighty comeback to nearly pinch the game, they were gallant to not get blown away and it makes you wonder if they had a better start what might have been. That's it from me, the Storm get the two points and the win, have a good Sunday evening! Storm 29 vs Tigers 20
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'79 Smith converts a penalty and the Storm will get home here despite an almighty scare. Storm 29 vs Tigers 20
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'76 Tigers get it back off the restart, Tigers will go on the attack. Brooks with a ridiculous hail mary a flick pass to Tedesco and it may be the game. Storm 27 vs Tigers 20
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'75 Cronk from 35 out and it's straight over the cross bar! Is that the killer blow? Storm 27 vs Tigers 20
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'74 Tigers with the seven tackle set are working it down field, Lovett taken well, Brooks goes high but Rankin knocks on and the Storm will work it away. Storm 26 vs Tigers 20
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'73 Cronk with a good strike but his drop goal attempt is away to the right. Storm 26 vs Tigers 20
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'72 Just get the sense the Storm were holding on until a penalty against the Tigers gets the Storm out of trouble. Storm 26 vs Tigers 20
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'70 A penalty for the Tigers will get them out of their own end. Woods is held in the middle of the field, Koroibete just with a stat has 257 metres in this game! Tigers still on attack it's the last, Brooks with an awkward grubber is taken well by Cronk. Storm 26 vs Tigers 20
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'67 Brooks with some creativity goes inside to Tedesco which if not for a desperate tackle may have scored a crucial try. Storm 26 vs Tigers 20
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'66 Moses hangs it to the left, that was tough but it's two misses from the youngster. Storm 26 vs Tigers 20
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'63 It's all happening, some beautiful play and Nofoaluma scores! Storm 26 vs Tigers 20
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'62 Tedesco taken in a strong tackle and that will be five, they target Vunivalu, who copped one in the back of the neck, he cops an accidental knee. Storm from the set get to just outside the 40 and Bromwich to Bromwich is a forward pass from inside their own half and the Storm are back under pressure. Storm 26 vs Tigers 16
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'61 This time Vunivalu takes it about 25 metres out. A solid set for the Storm but it comes undone as Morgan gives away the penalty. Storm 26 vs Tigers 16
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Sometimes all it takes ;)
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'58 Converted and plenty of time still for the Tigers. Storm 26 vs Tigers 16
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Gee Brooks has improved since my rant.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'56 Tigers don't do a whole lot with the set but Smith gives away the penalty for not being square, a get out of jail card for the Tigers. Now Brooks a flick pass to Simona and the Tigers are coming! Storm 26 vs Tigers 14