The Melbourne Storm have reaffirmed their tag as premiership favourites with a commanding 44-10 win over an ill-disciplined Canberra Raiders outfit.
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Final score
Melbourne Storm 44
Canberra 10
Will the Melbourne Storm solidify their spot atop of the competition ladder or can the Canberra Raiders use the frustration from last week’s controversial loss to their advantage? Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match starting at 7:35pm (AEST).
Melbourne’s 12-6 win over the Warriors last week epitomised exactly what their 2018 campaign has been built on – grit and determination.
While the Storm haven’t always looked at their clinical best, they still find ways to win and, as a result, they are aiming for their eighth-straight win.
In fact, while it may seem like Craig Bellamy’s men are far from their best at the moment, the numbers paint a different picture. So far in 2018, the Storm have won 13 games and nine of these have been by 13 points or more.
So it’s a scary thought for opposing teams if the defending premiers still haven’t reached their potential.
The Raiders, on the other hand, have clearly failed to fulfil their potential. On their day, Ricky Stuart’s men are one of the most destructive sides in the competition – just ask the Tigers, who they thumped 48-12 five rounds ago.
However, consistency continues to elude the Green Machine and, despite a determined comeback, a slow start cost them last week against Cronulla.
While all the talk has been directed towards the role that the referees played in the defeat, an ill-disciplined opening to the game was the real reason the Raiders lost.
Their season is probably already over, but given the unpredictability of this year’s competition, Stuart will be hoping his team can maintain their self-belief against the reigning champions.
Prediction
Last week’s loss may have broken the resilient Raiders and Melbourne will take full advantage, progressing one step closer to securing back-to-back minor premierships.
Storm by 20.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match starting at 7:35pm (AEST).
Khalid Putres
Roar Rookie
The Raiders were depleted of their key guns, Croker, Boyd, Oldfield, Wighton and Hingano to name a few. They even didn't have enough subs to make a team list! What do you expect when a depleted team faces a team in form on the top of the ladder? It was a well deserved win for the Storm. Saying that, the Storm didn't need the luxury of the refs biased calls. Plenty of things for the Raiders were not called, Slator's forward pass leading to the first try, high-tackle on Sam Williams, tackle on Rapana without the ball, elbo on Hodgson's neck, etc. The funny justification from the ref, "I call things the way I see them." Well done! Refs solidarity is obvious. But the game would be in a better shape if that solidarity was for being impartial instead of taking sides. What a shame?!
Big daddy
Guest
"Who on earth uses Huawei" Brilliant. "Who on earth drives a Toyota" Oops.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
I'm still amazed at what the Storm has done with Kasiano. His best footy is probably still ahead of him
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
MATCH REPORT: 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.
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Imagine if Kasiano still returns for the finals my word as if the Storm arent dangerous enough... Kasiano was absolutely leathal for Storm before the injury.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Great attacking display from the Storm. Defense pretty good to keeping the Raider to 10 who played with an attacking mindset. Really good to see the continued improvement of Jahrome Huges at 7. Put in good kicks and ran the right side very well. Great vision and long pass for Suli's try and of course his defense is very solid. Definitely his jersey to lose from here.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
STOP! STOP! The rest of the comp is already dead. Just give Melbourne the trophy now.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
FULL TIME - STORM 44 RAIDERS 10 An absolute clinic with Cameron Munster among others starring for the Storm. The Raiders did try but were far too ill-disciplined. Are Melbourne clear title favourites now? Thanks for joining me Roarers. Tomorrow afternoon I will be back at 4pm (AEST) for the blockbuster top-four clash between the Roosters and Dragons.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
80' - Suliasi Vunivalu to Will Chambers out of dummy-half but he puts him under a lot of pressure and the Raiders rally to take him into touch. STORM 44 RAIDERS 10
Pedro
Guest
Loving Braith in the commentary box tonight. Raiders are rubbish because of the disappointment of last week. He couldn't rap the Storm if they won the comp 10 years running.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
78' - Can the Storm hit 50? Will Chambers streak down the right edge and looks to link with his inside men but they are taken without the ball and Jordan Rapana is marched for a ten-minute break. STORM 44 RAIDERS 10
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
77' - Cameron Munster steps around the Canberra defence before going short to Nelson Asofa-Solomona who is taken 10 out. Munster puts in the grubber on the last despite slipping over and it is a good one but the chase isn't as committed and Joseph Tapine gets out into the field of play. The Raiders get an early penalty and march out of their own end. Blake Austin sends it long but Josh Addo-Carr is there to take it as the rain pours down. STORM 44 RAIDERS 10
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
75' - Not much happening for the Raiders in this set but Blake Austin puts up a towering bomb. Suliasi Vunivalu, filling in at the back, lets it bounce. Canberra chasers are steaming onto it. Sam Williams looks to have been taken out by Vunivalu and the Raiders are probably unlucky to have not nabbed a penalty. Now the Storm grab a penalty and that is a bit cruel. STORM 44 RAIDERS 10
AGO74
Guest
Hmmm. Watching the raiders tonight it makes a mockery of all the hyperbole last week that ref stuff up was going to cost Canberra their season...they are just an average team.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
73' - Finally, the Storm do something wrong. Suliasi Vunivalu goes from dummy-half and is denied. Nelson Asofa-Solomona is put under pressure by an odd play the ball by the Fijian winger and the referee rules an error. STORM 44 RAIDERS 10
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
72' - Joe Stimson dives on a loose ball and Melbourne have the ball back 10 out. Brad Abbey saves a try after Cameron Munster tried to spread it left to unmarked men. STORM 44 RAIDERS 10
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
71' - Jesse Bromwich with the first run off the restart and Cameron Smith has been taken off. Suliasi Vunivalu with a strong run over the 40 before Will Chambers surges to the Canberra 30. They are just 20 out on the last. Cameron Munster grubbers and the bounce is terrible but Nick Cotric somehow has it! STORM 44 RAIDERS 10
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
69' - STORM PENALTY GOAL SUCCESSFUL CAMERON SMITH Smith slots it from right in front. STORM 44 RAIDERS 10
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
69' - They begin their set 35 out. Felise Kaufusi takes it up before a long ball out of dummy-half from Cameron Smith to Jesse Bromwich sees him taken 10 out and another penalty is blown! The Storm will shoot for two. STORM 42 RAIDERS 10
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
69' - Jahrome Hughes short to Josh Addo-Carr who takes it up to halfway and has the ball stripped out. Penalty Storm. STORM 42 RAIDERS 10