Melbourne have banked their 14th win in succession with a thumping 48-4 victory over Newcastle in their NRL clash relocated to Gold Coast.
The Storm’s first home game in 78 days was relocated on Thursday to Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria but the competition heavyweights put the disruption aside to continue their red-hot winning streak.
Melbourne now hold the record for most points in 17 games, notching 626 to surpass the Eastern Suburbs side of 1935, who tallied 614.
Scoring eight tries in the Saturday night romp, Melbourne have racked up 40 points or more on 11 occasions this season.
Coach Craig Bellamy rated it as one of their best wins of the season, with the team left with no replacements for the last 20 minutes following injuries to Jahrome Hughes (calf), George Jennings (knee), Dale Finucane (HIA) and Tui Kamikamica (leg).
“They were all disappointed not to play at home – we’ve had five home games in two years,” Bellamy said.
“For the week it was, it was one of the better wins that I can remember.”
The Knights turned up with the wrong jumpers after leaving their blue strip back in Newcastle, forcing both teams to wear predominantly white, and the error appeared an omen for their night.
Melbourne were minus Origin stars Josh Addo-Carr and Christian Welch while the Knights had some big names out through injury, with stars prop Daniel Saifiti and halfback Mitchell Pearce missing.
NSW backrower Finucane was also a first-half casualty after suffering a head knock that ended his night after 30 minutes.
But it did the premiers little harm as they raced the clock in the first half.
They were up 18-0 after 18 minutes with Justin Olam, Cameron Munster and Jennings collecting the early spoils, while fullback Nicho Hynes added the extras.
In a ruthless display the Storm were out to a match-winning 30-0 by halftime with crafty halfback Jahrome Hughes and Hynes both showing their class to touch down.
Hughes left the field with a calf twinge after racing 65 metres to set up their sixth try, scored by Reimis Smith.
Coming off a big win over North Queensland in their last outing, the Knights had high hopes but their disappointing showing leaves them tenth with half the round completed.
They weren’t helped by the loss of Maroons star Kalyn Ponga just before halftime when the fullback bumped awkwardly into the shoulder of Kamikamica.
Ponga went to ground but appeared to shrug it off only to leave the field a minute later and fail his HIA.
The Knights also lost veteran prop Dave Klemmer to a head knock early on although both were reportedly well post-match.
Newcastle’s Dom Young made amends for two early errors to cross for his team’s sole try, with the English winger diving over in the corner after 55 minutes.
Knights coach Adam O’Brien said his team hadn’t handled the chaotic week, also shifting to Queensland.
“We trained light and we started that way,” O’Brien said.
“We’ve got to get into a rhythm and a routine because it stems from our preparation.”
Rossi
Roar Rookie
It would have been confusing if it was a close game, but in all seriousness you just had to look at the team playing beautiful footy and the one, well not. I can only assume the home jerseys for both teams were left home in the scramble to get to QLD.
Cat
Roar Guru
That’s a fair assessment. Was just curious how much of a chance would you rate them if both sides were at full strength? I don’t think we’ve seen the Storm at full strength yet. Which is a scary thought in itself.
Renegade
Roar Guru
I would still think Penrith are the only team that can beat the storm…’can’ doesn’t mean will but both Penrith & Melbourne at full strength are in a league of their own this year.
Cat
Roar Guru
And if Storm were to similarly get to full strength?
Easy target
Roar Rookie
If he returns next week hynes might be in the halves, either to rest Munster or replace Hughes if the calf is something more significant
Joe
Roar Rookie
I was fooled by the bench the Storm put out including the 27 year old debutant. It was a QCup bench of Tigers/Falcons players. Clearly though they deserved to be there.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Agree if Cleary doesn’t return, but you know Penrith will be back on another level if both halves return … just look at the impact of them not playing, had on the blues. I still have Penrith at full strength, as the only team that can beat the Storm when we get to September.
Nat
Roar Guru
5 weeks ago, absolutely. Now Dunno. The Pennies have shown real vunerability with these injuries - understandably. When they fly everyone is going. After a few losses I'll be interested to how the rest respond. With Souths and Parra, the run home might be closer than it started.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Great call Chris. Nobody better wearing 7 right now.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Saw a comment online about the jersey clash that went something like - its easy to distinguish between the 2 teams...the Storm are the one scoring tries.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
I've liked Hughes form the first time i saw him play. he is starting to get some credit and notice, though not nearly as much as he deserves. Perhaps it is because he looks too much like Jamie Soward with that head gear..
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Thanks Joe, I hope you are right. I feel that fear of another injury/concussion could make him shy of going where angels fear to tread, whereas before, he never held back. This would take a lot of the spontaneity out of his game making him less effective. That would be very sad y see.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Should just have a best of 3 between Storm and Penrith now I reckon..
Joe
Roar Rookie
I think he will take a few games to get back into it. After having such a bad concussion I'm afraid that he will be a bit gun shy and not attack the ball or put his body into defense like he used to and might be a while before that confidence returns. I think he will start though and Nicho will go back to being 14 or maybe outside center with Reimis on the wing now that Jennings is out for a few weeks.
Chris
Roar Pro
Is Hughes the form halfback in the comp? Cleary's out for a while and was great before his injury, but Jahrome has been consistently brilliant every week. I seriously love him.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
from Newcastle..
Chris
Roar Pro
In that context, I'm disappointed we didn't hit 50. Underwhelming performance.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Yeah but you still had the best(fittest) number 9 in the game, the best (fittest) number 1, the best (fittest) number 7, the Australian 6, and a pack full of internationals..against Crossland, Clifford, Watson and Bradley…and a back line full of anchors around the Knights’ necks.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Joe, do you think that Paps will be as good, as he was, when he returns. I wrote a more detailed question, but, it was with-held.
Davoooo
Guest
Storm have actually beaten that rosters record in 16 games, they had the bye last week