Billy Slater sent one final reminder to Queensland State of Origin selectors on Thursday night, as he produced the match-winning pass for Melbourne to beat Cronulla 18-13.
In a physical encounter that befitted the rivalry between last year’s NRL grand finalists, the Sharks recovered from an early 12-0 deficit to take a late lead before Slater worked his magic.
With six minutes to play and down 13-12 following a James Maloney field goal, Slater took the ball to the line and provided a short pass for second-rower Felise Kaufusi.
It marked the Storm’s first win without halfback Cooper Cronk in two years, after he was rested on match eve due to a heavy workload through the Origin period.
Slater’s match-winning play capped an up-and-down night at Southern Cross Group Stadium for the fullback in his last chance to impress before Queensland’s State of Origin II side is announced.
A controversial omission from Origin I, he broke through five tackles and made a blinding cover tackle, but coughed up a costly error on attack that led to Cronulla’s first try.
After he fumbled a ball into Maloney, the Sharks five-eighth broke downfield and attracted a penalty, before he put Luke Lewis over via a ball that went to ground in the following set.
Cronulla reduced the margin to two just nine minutes into the second half through Sosaia Feki, before Maloney levelled the scores courtesy of a 62nd minute penalty goal.
The NSW five-eighth then appeared to have the match won for Cronulla after a 72nd minute field goal, before Slater stood up with his 12th try assist in 11 games.
Meanwhile fellow Queensland hopeful Valentine Homes ran 172 metres at the back for Cronulla, but lacked the spark when required for the Sharks.
Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith also appeared refreshed following his break after Origin I, as his fingerprints were all over the Storm’s first two tries in the opening eight minutes.
After he kicked a 40-20 from dummy-half in the third minute, he fired a flat pass for Kaufusi close to the line from him to score his first.
Smith then went short again out of dummy-half five minutes later for prop Tim Glasby, who took the ball on the advantage line and crashed over the line.
Not storm fan
Guest
STILL no one mentions Maloneys stomp or kick on a Melb player near Melb line about 16 minutes to go... maloney was dummy half stomps or kicks the Melb player then collects the play the ball and continues.. I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere yet...he should be cited for it for sure.
Swannies
Guest
The only thing stopping Storm winning the comp is themselves. They are so far ahead of the rest it's scary. Only injuries or complacency can stop the Storm taking home more silverware in September. Next year it's the Raiders turn.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Agree ATM the Storm are ahead of the Sharks with completions, moving the ball around without the errors, and stifling (or should I say wrestling better in defence).The Sharks at times overplayed their attack, causing errors. Sharks should have been made well aware of the short kickoff by the Storm with 6 to go,and closed it down. The result a deft Slater pass to Felise to score and win the game. A couple of occasions when Maloney broke free for a long run, ended with a tackle and no support.Then Lewis with a long run, got bundled over the touchline with a too late pass to his support.Who says there's not contest for the ball,.when the defence gets the ball as a result of the sideline outing. The two will play again in the semis IMO,still a bees appendage between the two sides. Playing this game on a Sat night or Sunday arvo would have packed them in, but we get Thursday night sheesh.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I don't think so. If anything the referees aren't up to it, they have been told what to look for or are afraid to blow penalties because of the media. Personally, I feel that if the referees blew penalties for infringements it wouldn't take lo before players started to follow the rules.
JVGO
Guest
At the game I noticed that the Storm actually lift the tackled player back up when they are about 6 inches off the ground and about to hit the turf so they can wrestle them some more. Great moments in NRL coaching part 2 aka Craig Bellamy NRL coaching genius.
JVGO
Guest
Yeah Bellamy is some sort of coaching genius. 90% of his tries against Cronulla come from a point blank short ball close to the line to one of his giant forwards on one of our little blokes. Tonight instead of targetting Chad as he usually does he instead targetted Brailey twice. What a genius! The problem with this genius tactic is that unless he is gifted field position by super ref Cam Smith the Storm are never close enough to the line to pull it off, as was shown throughout the ensuing 68 mins where they never looked very dangerous at all. They looked mostly pretty ordinary tonight and were outplayed while blowing a match winning lead. Bellamy also showed his hand by targetting Brailey. kid will learn from it big time. The coaching genius will have to come up with another genius play for the GF. He didn’t really have any up his sleeve last year that I noticed.
johnnyball
Guest
Bromich had a penalty go against him due to a bad play the ball; correct Cronulla did exactly the same as Bromich two minutes later in attack and it was overlooked and you say there is favoritism?
johnnyball
Guest
Why doesn't channel nine understand their commentary team is old and jaded. Inane ramblings are mixed with favoritism toward any Sydney side playing an out of town team.
Rob
Guest
I know the game probably wouldn't have 2 complete sets without a penalty. It's a very hard job being a Ref, i tip my hat to them. Unfortunatly some officials can be way to inconsistent regarding strips and ruck rulings. If Jason Taumalolo got 2 weeks for a shoulder charge what was Wade Grahams shot on J. Bromwich? I'm sure the rule was ammended after Ennis and Whighten being let off. I remember T. Sims getting 7 weeks and missing the finals series for the Cowboys.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Rob, could you imagine what would happen if the referees actually refereed a game as per the laws of the game?
StAdam
Guest
No argument from me about Smith's quality mate - I think he is the best #9 who has ever played the game. I wasn't having a go at the bloke, just pointng out that both teams (as per most games in the NRL) have 50/50 calls go against them.
Rob
Guest
Spot on Albo. Unfortunately it appears to me some Officials like to keep it interesting and pick and choose who gets the calls and when. I have made comments in response to inconsistent rulings or very bais opinions, because it's a pet hate off mine.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Very true. Great strike rate considering this is his first year in the starting team as he played the last two off the bench. 6 tries for the year isn't too bad for a forward. They haven't missed Proctor at all.
Rob
Guest
Jimmmy, i think Munster is well ahead of both Morgan and Milford defensivily around the middle. We all know at Origin level the players with a defensive weakness will get found out. Munster has safe hands and follows the ball in attack and defence. Morgan and Milford are much lazyer in their defensive mindset. Fafita's inside ball to Maloney for NSW 1st try could have been snuffed out by a defender that followed the ball. Tedesco looked dangerous backing up down the middle also. I really believe Morgan needs to play centre. He has the skill set to test opposition on the edges and he is at his most damaging coming onto the ball at pace. Morgan makes to many errors to be in a playmaking role for mine. Munster might be the right man for 5/8 with Smith, Cronk, and Slater in for Origin 2. Milf could be great of the bench late but I think Cherry- Evans is more versatile.
E-Meter
Guest
It's a great rivalry brewing isn't it. I like their games. They aren't the helter skelter affairs like the Broncos-Cowboys games. Just tough hard rugby league with plenty of extra put into the tackles.
Albo
Guest
Unfortunately the use of penalties these days is nothing but a lottery. Every play the ball could attract a penalty with the defensive side being continually off side , slowing down the play, raking at the ball, not square at marker, etc and the attacking player cribbing extra metres, not playing the ball right, hanging onto the marker, etc. So the referees have the option of just blowing some token penalties at their discretion to keep the game flowing somewhat, or blowing the pea out their whistles every play the ball till the players behave ! They obviously have chosen to use the token option to keep the game flowing. The best we can all hope for is that your team gets a fair share of the " tokens " throughout the season. No point whinging about it just keep telling yourself its just "swings and roundabouts' ! Hopefully !
Jimmmy
Guest
You spotted that too Rob. Munster is my long term QLD 6. Maybe put him on the bench to start with but he is going to be a gun.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Good call Albo To labour the point about the commentators, when Kaufusi scored early Ray Warren said "he doesn't get to score many tries" and then later "he doesn't get to score many doubles" He's actually got a good strike rate and that's his second double this season and third overall.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Hey Ken, Not so much that I think they are unbeatable... I just believe they are the clear benchmark at the moment with improvement left in them. Certainly not writing any of the other teams off, it would be completely wrong to do so.... at this point in the season though, they are well ahead in my eyes.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Gould, as he does, took one point in the game and worked it to death but I think the original point was well made. There was a lengthy period of the game where the Storm were struggling to stay with the Sharks but they hung on remarkably well and pulled off what I thought was a really good win away from home, without Cronk and being on the ropes for a lot of the game. Comments like they can't score again are ridiculous though. Smith was outstanding particularly early with his 40/20 and the way he was holding the ball up to isolate Brailey. He does get away with a lot though. There were two blatant flops in the second half to slow the Sharks down. I don't know he gets away with it but more power to him. Surely Slater has to be picked for Queensland after his last two games. I thought JBrom looked really good early too.