Minor premiers Melbourne have completed their last dress rehearsal for the NRL finals, cruising to 32-6 win over Canberra.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Melbourne Storm 32
Canberra Raiders 6
The Melbourne Storm host the Canberra Raiders in the final round of the regular season. Join The Roar for live scores and updates from 7:30pm (AEST).
The Storm come into this one having smashed South Sydney 64-6 last week, while the Raiders have won four of their last five, scoring 30-plus points.
The only change from either of last week’s teams sees Iosia Soliola return from suspension – the Raiders hard man copping five weeks for his late, high tackle on Billy Slater the last time these two teams met. AAMI Park will be sure to remind him of this.
The Storm have won four out of the last five meetings between these two, but three have been decided by six points or less, with their last meeting a 20-14 win for Melbourne, each side scoring three tries.
Statistics suggest that there won’t be too many points in this one, as in their last four encounters, there haven’t been more than 36 points scored.
Prediction
The Storm were that classy against Souths last week and they will want to finish off their dominant season in the best way possible going into the finals. They will win easy enough to give Cameron Smith and possibly Slater an early shower.
Storm by 14
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage from 7:30pm (AEST) and adde your thoughts in the comments below.
Brian S
Guest
I can't believe how many times the refs went to the video ref !!! i think they called 2 tries ?
RM
Guest
I've said it before, but Leilua is a deadset liability. He's had one great season his whole career. The rest of it, he has been a player with some good plays for the highlight reel surrounded by brain explosions, dropped balls, stupid penalties and wannabe-tough-guy posturing. Last night was Peak Leilua...just continuous dumb play for 80 minutes, and it really should not have been 80 if the refs had done their job and given him an early mark after the Addo-Carr no-try. Canberra will regret re-signing him for as long as they have. Even more so, they will regret that they have seemingly structured their whole attack around "Get it to Leilua and Rapana as much as possible". Leilua is in no way a player a team can trust to hold that sort of important position.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It seemed to me that Leilua was the one that got hot under the collar, upset and acted like a baby towards the end of the game. He's had a slightly disappointing season after being huge last year. Be interesting to see how he goes next year.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Just a last point on this game, is there anyone in the game who's more of a loose cannon than Joey Leilua? Great player but it just seems so easy to get under his skin. At one stage he was baiting Curtis Scott by going 'waah' 'waah' and wiping away tears on free to air TV!??. I think the refs just kind of gave up on him the antics were so bizarre. He was grabbing and holding players after the play of the ball but they just thought it better to ignore.
Long Black
Roar Rookie
Hear, hear.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I'm just wondering whether the bunker can award a penalty try or it has to be the on field ref. That's the only reason I can see they didn't give it. Why no sin bin is baffling.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I think Ado-Carr against a tall winger might be a weakness. Couple of teams have attcked the Curtis, Ado-Carr channel as well. The youngsters did pretty well against Leipana last night and it helps having Tohu defending there too.
Bill larkin
Guest
Credit to the Raiders. Kept at it all night. Not not that, they showed that Storm's sensational wingers can be vulnerable in defence. There is no way through the middle, but watch finals contenders attack the Storm down both flanks.
BigJ
Roar Guru
I get a free packet for him, ha ha
Richard Maybury
Guest
The logic defies reason He was out so didn't score the try but the only reason he was out was because he was illegally pushed which they recognise. So how on earth can that not be a penalty try ? There is no logic here.
Richard Maybury
Guest
Try watching that awful AFL game instead than. At least Rugby League is an international sport.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Someone get this guy a tissue.
Ben Talintyre
Roar Pro
Thanks for joining me tonight on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2017 NRL match where Melbourne Storm proved too good for the Canberra Raiders running out 32-6. Well done to Cameron Smith on a victory in his record equalling 355th game. I personally can't see anyone beating the Storm on their recent performances and it will be interesting to see how the Eels fare in their game against them. Thanks for joining me in what was a truly interesting game.
Taree Raider
Guest
On at least three occasions during the game Cameron Smith actually passed the ball flat or even backwards. The other 107 were deliberately forward & nothing is done about it. Great game Cam, but when the Ref's are always on your side things generally go well.
Jono
Guest
At least we don't have to see the Raiders play anymore this year. Silver linings.
Ben Talintyre
Roar Pro
Melbourne were in total control from the outset can you see anyone beating them? What are our thoughts on the game?
Ben Talintyre
Roar Pro
80' Full time Cronk grubbers into touch and neither team is bothered to pack the scrum. That is it. Storm dominate in a 32-6 victory over the Canberra Raiders.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Agree. That was more clear cut than Vunivalus two.
Ben Talintyre
Roar Pro
Year in year our the rules are unclear on this and it needs to be black and white.
Ben Talintyre
Roar Pro
78' Conversion successful Cameron Smith makes no mistake as he drives that over to extend the lead. Storm- 32 Raiders- 6