The Melbourne Storm have reaffirmed their tag as premiership favourites with a commanding 44-10 win over an ill-disciplined Canberra Raiders outfit.
The Storm have surged up to the top of the ladder off the back of grit and determination, frustrating teams into defeat. Tonight, however, they sent an ominous warning to the rest of the competition, running in seven tries.
The first came in the seventh minute when Billy Slater stepped inside and sent it over the top for Felise Kaufusi who went over.
Cameron Munster was one of Melbourne’s best, finishing with a try, try-assist, six tackle-busts and 25 tackles in defence.
His footwork was on full display in the 15th minute when he took on the line and stepped past three defenders to score under the posts.
Canberra’s season was on the line and when they held onto the ball, they looked an actual chance of victory early. The Raiders hit back soon after when Josh Hodgson went short to Iosia Soliola who crashed over.
However, they quickly found themselves further behind when Suliasi Vunivalu dived over out wide after beating three defenders on the way to the line.
The Storm landed a cruel blow on half time when a perfectly executed sweeping play saw Curtis Scott beat Soliola and crash over. As a result, Melbourne took a dominant 24-4 lead into the break.
They were quick to extend their leader when Josh Addo-Carr scooped up a Billy Slater grubber in the 43rd minute to score.
The Raiders responded when Joseph Leilua picked up a loose offload by Joseph Paulo and spun around to crash over. But the Storm proved far too strong in the end, posting two more tries.
The first saw Dale Finucane fool the Canberra defence after appearing to take a customary hit-up before instead turning it back inside for Nelson Asofa-Solomona who crashed over.
The final try was the best of the lot, with Munster kicking from inside his own half for Addo-Carr who found Scott in support.
In a game that may decide the minor premiership, the Storm travel to Sydney to take on the Rabbitohs next week.
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Things got a bit heated after the final whistle, with the Raiders securing a 24-20 win over the Bulldogs.
Viliame Kikau produced this horror blunder from dummy half with his opposite number Hudson Young scoring soon after up the other end.
Josh Papalii was sent for ten after this hip-drop tackle on Viliame Kikau. Fans were torn over just how bad it was. https://twitter.com/Fireupnrl/status/1791392199185514588
It all went downhill for the Raiders after leading 12-0. Jordan Rapana and Josh Papalii were sent to the bin.
