The Melbourne Storm overcame a slow start tonight at GIO Stadium to heap more misery on the Canberra Raiders. With both sides missing a host of players, the Storm overcame a 10-0 deficit to convincingly win 34-10.
The Storm defence was brutal all game, with the Raiders failing to establish any real go forward. Melbourne compressed their defensive line and the weight of possession and territory eventually told.
It was, however, the Raiders who would score first. In the first set of the match, a Sam Williams bomb was kept alive by Curtis Scott. George Williams then chipped across field for Bailey Simonsson who was in untouched.
They were in again with just fifteen minutes gone. Scott was able to brush off Justin Olam and made a long break down field. From the ensuing play, Sam Williams was able to thread his grubber through a staggered Melbourne defence. Elliott Whitehead was there to make it 10-0.
Both Raiders tries were scored from range and the Storm were already dominating from a territory perspective. However, Melbourne’s attack looked out of sorts and was struggling to create opportunities.
This all started to change with just seven minutes remaining in the first half after sharp lead up work from Brandon Smith and Justin Olam. A few tackles later, a quick play the ball gave Brandon Smith the opportunity to get Nelson Asofa-Solomona one on one with Tom Starling. The Storm were back within four points.
The Storm were to go ahead just before the break. Again camped on the Raiders line, Brandon Smith’s pass from dummy half was touched by a Raiders player. He was the first to scoop the ball up and pass to Chris Lewis who was in for the easiest of tries.
Brandon Smith (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
In the modern game, momentum is key and it had swung firmly in the Storm’s favour. It was to continue, with Asofa-Sololona crashing over for his second try less than ten minutes into the second half.
Melbourne’s attack was looking more assured and Nicho Hynes was beginning to make his presence felt. After a slick move right, Hynes put Reimis Smith in space and he beat Sebastian Kris and Simonsson to score.
The Storm effectively had the game won with just under twenty minutes remaining. Hynes went through a gap after a smart offload from Dale Finucane. Aaron Booth’s grubber had the pinball effect and Tom Eisenhuth was first there to ground it.
The game was over but the scoring wasn’t. With seven minutes remaining, Lewis got the offload away to Hynes. He went left and held up the pass nicely for Trent Loiero who went in for his debut try in the NRL in just his second match.
The comeback was complete with the Storm running out 34-10 winners.
Much is made of the Melbourne Storm system and it was on show again tonight. With Harry Grant, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen all missing, this was a back-up Melbourne spine. To still score six tries was indicative of just how good this system is.
The Raiders were also missing a sprinkling of stars. They were starved of attacking opportunities by a stingy Storm defence.
3 points: Brandon Smith got an early night, leaving the field with twenty minutes remaining. However, his running from dummy half got the Storm back into the game in the first half. He was then heavily involved in the Storm’s first three tries and had a large bearing on the result;
2 points: After a quiet start, Nicho Hynes got better as the game wore on. Most of the Storm second half attack started through him and he probably increased his price tag for 2022 by a little bit more.
1 point: Nelson Asofa-Solomona scored two tries and bent the Raiders defensive line consistently. Starting from the bench, Asofa-Solomona helped to wrestle the game back in the Storm’s favour.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Good question - wouldn't be the first players I'd target though - NAS always seems to have an error in him but is good off the bench - and Munster tends to overplay his hand at times - a bit like Hodgson - but he can do some wonderful things. A big NO to Kafausi. Just about the filthiest player in the NRL. If the Storm cut him I'd like them a lot more. I'd be more interested in signing Nicho Hynes.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
How would you feel if those three players signed for the Raiders? Happy, I reckon. Well at least the first two.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Simply couldn't do it - there are too many Storm players I can't stand as well such as Nelson A-S, Munster and Kaufusi
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
I have supported Canterbury since 1974, but took on Melbourne as my second team in 1998 when they began. Good decision! You should consider that path. Just think of all the pain that will turn into pleasure.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Mate - we make our choices about who to barrack for - and when I moved to Canberra in the late 1990s I took on the Green Machine. Its been a bumpy ride but you stick with them through thick and thin. The Storm have had great success but all I want to do is beat them. I still have those recent memories of wins against the Storm in Melbourne in 2019 and 2020 to keep me warm at night. I could never trade green for purple.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Fortunately I am. Join us, Geoff. Come to the dark side :laughing:
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Good point, but a win v roosters (traditional enemy) may just galvanise the side, or provide some much needed confidence or belief. They've got some good players but I think they are missing Bateman's influence and CNK. When CNK was playing pre-injury they were stringing a few good results together.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
But very hard to like - unless you are a Storm supporter
Paul
Roar Guru
I wonder if that's just papering over the cracks if the Raiders do win? This is a team which, on paper, should be a serious top 4 contender, but if they beat a depleted Roosters outfit, would still have a tonne of work to do to make the finals, let alone be competitive, if they get that far. Anything's possible I suppose, but I sense there are quite of lot of issues bubbling away in Canberra that badly need fixing, including one R Stuart.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Can't see the Storm getting over Penrith - I know the Storm are very good but the Panthers are another level again - the gap between these two and the rest is massive
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Storm too good, even with their full spine out can easily beat most teams. I am beginning to believe they will do a back-to-back. It' scary that a Storm team without Pappenhuyzen, Hughes, Munster and Grant (among others) still plays so well. I think this Storm team is better than the Cam Smith Storm. I cant see anyone stopping them, their too smart, too big, very talented and much more free-flowing than the Cam Smith structured approach.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks for your feedback
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
No doubt
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
The Raiders play a busted roosters next week, and this may well be their turning point if they can manage a win.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Geoff, all will be forgiven if the Raiders beat the Chooks next week.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
I'm pretty sure that every origin eligibility question is answered NSW :thumbup:
Jinx
Guest
Yes, certainly, not probably.
Brisguy51
Roar Rookie
Who would Nico Hynes represent in State of Origin. I checked his background and he played his junior football in N.S.W but since 2015 he has been playing in the Intrust Cup in Qld.
Joe
Roar Rookie
In a battle of B-Teams it was the Storm forwards and Nicho Hynes that were the difference. NAS impact off the bench in combination with Brendon started it off and then the machine finally clicked into gear. The lethal left side attack for the Storm pretty much had a day off as they were missing Munster and K.Bromich to create for them. Johns did well as the only kicking option as Lewis played more of a running 5/8 role. Also small error in your writeup...Curtis didn't beat Olam..he stepped Lewis and brushed off Eisenhuth both of whom apart from this one lapse had solid games. This was one of those games where the value of the Storm 'system' was on full display....players slotting in and doing their jobs including a full spine replacement, not as good as the starters but good enough to be very competitive.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
When they're on song, they're exhilarating to watch.