Melbourne have set the stage for what may be a grand final farewell for Cameron Smith after overpowering Canberra 30-10 in their NRL preliminary final.
The evergreen Smith, 37, may not have announced whether this season will mark his swansong but the stage is set for the 19-season veteran to have a fairytale farewell after the Storm qualified for their fourth grand final in five years.
The victory was set-up by a whirlwind start at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
Halfback Jahrome Hughes was inspirational as Melbourne raced to a point a minute 24-0 lead in the preliminary final and the Raiders never recovered, ensuring their 26-year title drought continues.
Hughes set up three tries as Melbourne snapped Canberra’s five-game winning run and seal their 20th straight win in Queensland in front of 37,112 fans.
The Raiders came out firing after trailing 24-6 at halftime but in the end their dream of booking back to back grand finals came unstuck at their bogey venue Suncorp Stadium where they have not won since 2010.
In contrast, 429-gamer Smith added another fond memory at a ground where he has savoured State of Origin and Test wins in what may be his last match on his beloved Queensland turf with his record-equalling 27th finals win.
He added yet another highlight to his endless reel with a 66th minute try-saving tackle on Nick Cotric before marking his 12th straight win at Suncorp Stadium for club, state and country.
Melbourne sealed the match when comeback king Dale Finucane – in his first game since August after battling a calf complaint – scored to blow the scoreline out to 30-6 in the 63rd minute before a Cotric consolation try.
Canberra had overcome plenty of obstacles this year to be the first fifth-placed team under the new finals format to make a preliminary final.
Their forward pack had been hit hard by injury including co-captain Josh Hodgson (knee) and had spent around 50 hours in transit since the competition’s resumption in May.
They had hung tough until Friday but in the end Melbourne – fresh from a week off – proved too big an obstacle.
The Storm’s only complaint in their 21st win in 26 Suncorp games was Brenko Lee being placed on report for a 58th-minute high shot on winger Semi Valemei.
The Storm raced to a 16-0 lead before many had taken their seats, running in three tries in the first 10 minutes with up to 10,000 fans still trying to get into the venue due to a ticket system glitch.
Most did witness the highlight in the 10th minute when Hughes regathered his own kick from a Raiders ricochet and flicked the ball to winger Suliasi Vunivalu who evaded three defenders to score down the sideline.
Meanwhile, Canberra’s Hudson Young may be in trouble for a suspected 38th minute crusher tackle on Tino Fa’asuamaleaui while Storm hooker Brandon Smith suffered a suspected facial injury in the 39th minute.
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
Too much speed from the Storm. They won the match in those opening 20 minutes. I find it hard to see a weakness on this Storm team, but the nature of this sport is teams can out of the blue have a bad game, but that looks unlikely based on the Storm's current form.
AMC
Roar Rookie
STORM CAPTAIN CAMERON SMITH DESERVES RESPECT FOR HIS NOT DIVULGING WHEN HE WILL RETIRE. GIVE HIM THE RESPECT HE DESERVES WITH MEDIA ASSAULTS ON THE ISSUE BECOMING A BOREFEST. THE G.O.A.T DESRVES BETTER AS DO THE MIGHTY MELBOURNE STORM!!!
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Rabbitohs fans should be incredibly proud of that performance. They could have dogged that after 20 mins but they fought it out to the end. Penrith were not good. That's the worst they have played for a long while. But they have been in the top two sides all year. Best of luck boys.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
And you explain the Warriors how. ? Their professionalism and sup3rior club culture?? The Storm deserve to be where they are no argument at all. But I think the Sunny Coast has been a plus.
zonecadet
Roar Rookie
So all next year's premier has to do is re-locate to say, Adelaide, and live in motels for the duration and hey presto, Grand Finalists. Any 'advantage' Melbourne has gained from being stranded in QLD this season they have gained by their professionalism and superior club culture that has seen them take it all in their stride. Anyone remember when they played for zero points and were good enough to have finished in the eight.
chud
Roar Rookie
Plenty of contenders!????
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Not sure being one of only 2 teams living away from home and family for most of a season can be called an advantage? Would you rather live in strict lockdown conditions far from home for months at a time, or finish a game or training session and then go and see your family in your own house every night? Imagine being far from friends and family during a pandemic, having to continue to work and perform, while not being able to reassure your wife and kids! All that aside, you also conveniently fail to address the lack of home ground advantage for almost an entire season. Melbourne have been without not only their home ground but their home training facilities for a huge chunk of the season, while most other clubs have rocked up to play and train at home almost as usual! It's already been a special effort to get this far, it will be even more special if (when?) they win next week. Just accept it and drop the sour grapes act. If those clowms in the media can't recognise it, they are simply revealing their own prejudices.
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
He and Kikau are in a dead heat for worst hair in the NRL...
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Spot on. It's been a plus not a minus. . An accidental one for sure. An unavoidable one as well. Just check out the Warriors season. They got better the longer they were away from home and the more players they lost , the better they played. For exactly the reasons you outline. Team bonding and purpose and motivation in adversity.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Melbourne finished second so they deserve the advantage. NO DOUBTS. As for the not being home, I have always thought it's a plus. ( see the Warriors for confirmation).
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I agree. I am just really stating the bleedin obvious. It's much, much harder without the week off. Especially after a tough , physical game like the Roosters one.
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
Addo-Carr clearly knocked the ball on, and even if you disagree, his foot was on the touch in goal line before it was “grounded”.
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
Eh, I used to think so, but a really good point was made by one of the commentators last night. The Melbourne players have been living together (or at least in groups with each other for months); spending far more time with each other than any other side. You’d get to know your teammates more than any other side in the competition; that is a massive advantage. I don’t think relocating to the Sunshine Coast is as big a disadvantage for Melbourne as a lot of people think it is; and I don’t think the Warriors relocating to the Central Coast was either.
Greg
Roar Pro
Agree strongly with the comments that the travel situation (whilst its not even close to completely to blame for the loss) undoubtedly hampered the Raiders. However, that is the advantage the Storm rightfully earnt by having such a strong year, finishing first and winning week 1 of the finals. If Raiders had have performed better during the year they may have earnt that advantage, but they didn't.
Chud
Guest
Please... can someone do something about Papenhuysens head... hold him down for a head shave... it's hideous
Ryan
Guest
The gulf between the teams is enormous and the Melbourne stars seem to get thru unscathed. The score could have been a lot more but the Storm didnt get a penalty for 65 minutes (Raiders got at least 6 and 2 restarts) and no Storm set restarts. The Canberra tries were whistled straight thru without review yet the Storm tries were forensically looked at and the Fox commentary team at least couldnt believe the non Ado-Carr try (no downward pressure?). Only Penrith can do any real damage next week. Flying up on the day probably didnt help Raiders but Stuart should have shut up about it before the game because the players soak that in.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
If you finish 5th, you've got to do it the hard way. That's how it is. If Canberra wanted the week off, they had to finish top four.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Giving Melbourne 'yet another huge advantage?' They haven't been home for 4 months, yet still finished 2nd. Canberra are sleeping in their own beds and finished 5th. Who deserves the advantage?
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I agree with all that. Finish 1st or second and you get all the favours as it should be.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
The NRL's club in the home of Aussie Rules had to be successful and salary cap cheeting aside they have been consistently in the top four. The problem with this approach is that it wins fans all over the country, well eastern states, but it doesn't encourage kids to play the game. A few lean years might encourage Victorians kids to have a go and play a game where they can become Kangaroos that wear green and yellow.