The Melbourne Storm have gritted out a 14-6 win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs in a dour wet-weather affair at Perth’s nib Stadium on Sunday night.
With the game still in the balance 73 minutes into the contest, Fijian flyer Suliasi Vunivalu collected a Joe Stimson cut-out on the right edge before bustling over to put the game beyond all doubt.
It followed a highly unappealing second half in which both sides coughed up plenty of ball while Souths – first through halfback Adam Reynolds then later by utility John Sutton – put two balls out on the full.
Masterful Melbourne hooker Cameron Smith was one of the best on the park in making 49 tackles, recording a try assist and booting a gorgeous 40-20 to again be deemed man-of-the-match.
Meanwhile, Melbourne forwards Tohu Harris (45 tackles) and Dale Finucane (42) also proved workhorses in defence as Vunivalu made 198 metres to complement his late four-pointer.
On the other side of the ledger, Rabbitohs rake Robbie Farah did his Origin chances no harm in laying 43 tackles and putting a number of superb balls to boot, while the tireless Sammy Burgess again starred for Michael Maguire’s men.
He was monumental in a losing cause in churning out 183 metres and making 42 tackles, while rising second-row Angus Crichton amassed 150 metres and 46 tackles.
Ultimately, it was a doughty defensive display from Craig Bellamy’s men that laid the platform for their return to the winners’ circle.
After having uncharacteristically conceded 20 points or more in their last four outings, Melbourne repelled plenty of South Sydney attack on their own line.
An exception of the Storm’s strong defensive showing was a sloppy effort 14 minutes into the contest that allowed Sutton to crash over from close range to open the Rabbitohs’ account.
Sutton’s converted try locked things up at six-all after Melbourne centre Will Chambers had become the beneficiary of a two-man overlap just four minutes into the clash before Cameron Smith added the extras from touch.
New South Wales hopeful Josh Addo-Carr handed the lead back to Melbourne when he did well to dot down just millimetres from the dead-ball line on the left-wing 24 minutes into the contest off the back of a pinpoint Smith grubber.
The try went upstairs due to conjecture over the put-down, but the Bunker liked the look of it.
Smith failed to convert, meaning another point wasn’t scored until Vunivalu’s match-sealer six minutes out from full-time.
The Rabbitohs are now set to host the Eels at ANZ Stadium on Friday night, while Melbourne will enjoy a bye ahead of next week’s first edition of State of Origin.
Numchuck
Guest
Storm didn't get a decision in the second half at all except perhaps for the Burgess tackle letoff. Dangerous and should be penalized. The rest of the time Badger meanged to keep it a one-score game which kept the locals happy. BTW Storm and Inglis down to play in Perth 10 days before SOO. NSW normally get first game, they reversed the order of home (2-1) games, they choose NSW refs, are there any other tricks to get NSW a win - oh pay a club in the hands of the NRL (receivers) to fix a problem (Titans, NSW) eg hire Hayne. Next year the Broncos, Titans, Storm and Cowboys will play a double header round robin in Shanghai 7 days before each SOO game.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Its the overall style of Badgers refereeing that I blame and in the 2nd half it was just a 'payback'. Just like his mate Sutton at the Dogs game lol
Daniel
Guest
I wouldn't have minded if the Burgess tackle was penalised. It was nothing malicious though. Dangerous contact has always been worthy of a penalty (such as diving at the knees of an opponent). If you're aware a player is in a dangerous position, then you stop the tackle. Similar to how crusher tackles are penalised. They're accidents in that both players get into an awkward position, but at that point onus is on defender to not apply pressure to the neck. This could have applied in this instance. Burgess' comments at half-time about the 1.5s extra are irrelevant. As Roach pointed out the in the commentary, Melbourne are the best at getting opponents onto their back which creates a slower play the ball. Conversely, they are the best team at finding their front in attack, which means a quicker play the ball. The reason why the Rabbitohs weren't holding down for as long is because the Storm were dominating the ruck in attack.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Tough game to watch, especially after the rain came down. Was a gritty game with near no highlights. Cam Smith again outstanding. His cutout pass to Kaufusi leaving out Cronk ended up getting the match winner (Cronk was filthy about being missed out but Cam saw the overlap and went for it). I thought the other highlight was Alex Johnstons chasedown of Vunivalu. Johnson has some serious speed as he made up for a 2 metre start. Vunivalu still isn't confident with his speed though, when he gets in the clear instead of just head down and go for it he starts looking around for support. Once he gets his confidence that he is actually a speedster he will put the peddle down and go for it like Koroibete used to do.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Surely you can't be blaming Badger for not policing the tactics after Burgess got in his ear at half time. At one point in the 2nd half the penalty count was 5-0 to the Rabbits.
rossco
Guest
True, but they outlawed the' chicken wing' because it was dangerous along with the grapple tackle and the choker hold (which Melbourne applied in this game). If they want to they can do it. But will they antagonise Melbourne? Not likely.
Jimmmy
Guest
I didn't like the Burgess tackle at all but as the Ref said it's not illegal . No penalty , no charge, nothing. If you want to change the rules argue your case but what do you want the Ref to do , make rules up.? All teams try to get players on their back in the tackle and most efforts work out fine ,that one didn't, How you outlaw that type of tackle I have no idea. The wording would need to be very precise otherwise every second tackle could be penalised. I will leave that to those more qualified than me,
rossco
Guest
So that tackle on Burgess is 'good footy'?
rossco
Guest
But it had to do with the Storm tactics, which is what I'm complaining about. Poor form by Melbourne.
Jara W
Guest
That's the worst you've seen in three years? You should watch more footy. Footy is great!!
steveng
Roar Rookie
The Storm are one of the darlings of the NRL comp and nothing will evade their tactics, especially Badger and his crew. This is after the Storm held the Souths players for 1.5 to 2 seconds longer in every tackle in the game, chocked them in every tackle, the Sam Burgess dangerous tackle, slowed the play down etc etc but that is part of the course for the Storm and a few of the other referee darlings of this comp.
Adam
Roar Guru
Yawn, suspect wrestle tactics are now employed by all teams. Yes Melbourne probably started it but everyone is now guilty in all games
Emcie
Roar Guru
Poor form mate, the McKinnon incident had nothing to do with the wrestle
rossco
Guest
No mention of Melbourne's tactics in the wrestle and no comment on the dreadful tackle on Sam Burgess that was designed to break his back. It was the worst example of Melbourne's tactics I've seen since the game against Newcastle a few years ago - and we all know how that ended up!