And that's full time. The Storm really amassed some points in the second half, putting the Eels to the sword in an 11 try performance. Slater scored three tries, Hoffman got a double, and Will Chambers was involved in everything.
Melbourne Storm 64-4
One more set for Melbourne - expect a cross field kick or some other magic...
Melbourne Storm 64-4
In some of the weakest defense I've ever seen, the Storm get another try. They sweep down the right of the field via Chambers, and then send it left to Maurice Blair. Blair stumbles, but the Eels fail to make the tackle. Smith attempts the kick from wide out left, and converts.
Melbourne Storm 64-4
TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Will Chambers. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Will Chambers' turn now, sprinting in behind the line, after a short ball from Cronk, and scoring under the posts. Cameron Smiths snaps another easy conversion over the posts.
Melbourne Storm 58-4
TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Jesse Bromwich. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Yep, it's a try. Bromwich scores, and Smith converts to further increase the lead.
Melbourne Storm 52-4
And not to be outdone, Jesse Bromwich crosses the line. We're checking for a possible obstruction, but it looks to be a try to me.
Melbourne Storm 46-4
TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Tim Glasby. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
The Storm run 80 metres from the 20m tap, and Tim Glasby fights off defenders and scores a try just right of the posts. Smith converts.
Melbourne Storm 46-4
Morgan makes a break down the left hand side of the field - a gain of almost 70 metres in that set. The ball goes right on the last, Toutai puts the ball on the toe, but Slater watches it dribble over the dead ball line.
Melbourne Storm 40-4
Storm kick high at the end of the next set, with Slater sprinting through to put pressure on - but Mullaney comes up with the ball.
Melbourne Storm 40-4
On the last, the Eels kick high into the right side of the in-goal, but the Storm defuse the bomb and get the 20m tap.
Melbourne Storm 40-4
On the last, the Eels kick high into the right side of the in-goal, but the Storm defuse the bomb and get the 20m tap.
Melbourne Storm 40-4
Parramatta on attack from within the Storm 10 metre line - Sio seems to be unmarked on the side, but his centre doesn't want to know about him, and takes the tackle.
Melbourne Storm 40-4
Storm can't score of the resulting set, and on the next play the Eels get a penalty for the Storm being lazy in the play the ball.
Melbourne Storm 40-4
And now the Eels kick out over the sideline on the full from the kick off. The Storm get the penalty from the half way line, and will take the tap from 30 metres out.
Melbourne Storm 40-4
TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Billy Slater. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
And now Slater gets his third. The floodgates are well and truly open now. Slater's footwork and speed creates a try out of nothing, and he crosses under the posts. Smith doesn't make a mistake, and adds another 2 points.
Melbourne Storm 40-4
Eels penalised here in the very next set. Smith kicks for touch and finds an additional 20 metres, and the Storm restart the next set from the halfway line.
Melbourne Storm 34-4
TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Kenneath Bromwich. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
And not 1 minute later, Kenneath Bromwich backs up Will Chambers after a break down the right hand side of the field, and scores his first try in the NRL. Some beautiful work from Smith as well, holding the ball up to block the intercept attempt, before delivering the ball to Bromwich for the try. Smith adds the extras.
Melbourne Storm 34-4
TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Billy Slater. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
And it's a try. Slater calls for the ball to the right of the ruck, steps twice, and then moves the ball from his right hand to his left to plant it down for the try. Smith converts the try, and the scoreline is beginning to blow out.
Melbourne Storm 28-4
And now Chambers makes a break down the right of the field, before being dragged down. On the third, Slater steps Reni Maitua, and reaches out to put the ball over the tryline. We're going to the video referee, for a possible try - just need to check the grounding.
Melbourne Storm 22-4
Hoffman makes a break this time. He has Cooper Cronk is support, but takes the tackle instead. On the last Billy Slater runs in circles, and the Storm are tackled for a changeover.
Melbourne Storm 22-4
The Eels are up against it now, with only 12 defenders in the line.
Melbourne Storm 22-4
Some terrible defense from the Eels sees Will Chambers score a try. Have the floodgates just opened? Smith converts, and gives the Storm the additional two points.
Melbourne Storm 22-4
And now the Storm make a massive break through O'Neill. He's tackled desperately just 1 metre from the tryline, but the Eels player lays too long on the tackled player and is given ten in the bin.
Melbourne Storm 16-4
And the Storm spread the ball left and Sisa Waqa runs his outside man off the side of the field. If Waqa had just have held the ball he probably would have scored the try.
Melbourne Storm 16-4
Jason Ryles attempts to charge down a kick and it hits him right in the top of the head, and he hits the ground hard. He's a bit shaken, but he can manage a bit of a wry grin.
Melbourne Storm 16-4
Back underway in the second half. The Storm will be looking to pile on some points here today.
Melbourne Storm 16-4
Half time - and the scoreline is a bit closer to expectations after that late try to the Storm. The Storm have definitely looked off their game at times, however they've spent plenty of time at the Eels' end of the field. The Eels have done some good things as well, however they lack the polish and execution to convert into points.
Melbourne Storm 16-4
One minute out from halftime - the Eels kick off and the Storm bring it out of their end. On the 4th we see several long passes from left to right, before Cronk attempts to run around the outside of the Eels defense. He's hammered over the sideline, and the buzzer goes for half time.
Melbourne Storm 16-4
TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Ryan Hoffman. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
And they're finally rewarded. A set play, as Cameron Smith fakes to kick and throws a long pass out to Finch. Finch passes short and puts Hoffman into a gap, who crosses for the second time today. Smith lines up the kick from left of the uprights, and this time puts it over the black dot.
Melbourne Storm 16-4
Storm looking to increase their lead before the break - throwing everything at the Eels defense here.
Melbourne Storm 10-4
Penalty to Melbourne, yet again for the player laying all over the play the ball. Mannah objects, but is told that it's happening both ways, and the referees are tired of it.
Melbourne Storm 10-4
The Eels kick right through Luke Kelly - attempting to get his winger around the outside of the powerful Melbourne defense. But the kick was a poor one, and Slater watches it float over the sideline.
Melbourne Storm 10-4
A knock on against the Storm now. Hoffman trying to say that the eels have knocked the ball loose, but it was just a poor carry from Cameron Smith.
Melbourne Storm 10-4
And for the first time in about 15 minutes, the Eels get down the opposite end of the ground. Billy Slater watches the ball as it rolls over the dead ball line.
Melbourne Storm 10-4
Storm send the ball right, but overrun the pass, and the ball heads over the sideline.
Melbourne Storm 10-4
Penalty against the Storm, and Roberts kicks for touch, but can't find the line. A costly mistake, as it sees the Storm back on attack in decent field position.
Melbourne Storm 10-4
Storm head right this time, and Cooper Cronk is wrestled to ground on the 4th. The following pass from Cameron Smith is forward, and the Eels breathe a sigh of relief.
Melbourne Storm 10-4
Storm 2 metres out from the try line on the last, the kick in behind the line, and the Eels are forced to knock the ball dead.
Melbourne Storm 10-4
Penalty against the Eels now. Some ugly passing around the ruck sees the ball go to ground, and an offside player dives on the loose ball.
Melbourne Storm 10-4
Melbourne hot on attack here, but the Eels defense is up to it. Storm kick right on the last, but Radradra takes the ball above his head from within the in-goal, and the Eels get the tap.
Melbourne Storm 10-4
And a knock on from Radradra now - Smith kicks long into space, but the Eels winger can't take the ball cleanly. Melbourne get the scrum feed from 10 metres out.
Melbourne Storm 10-4
Cooper Cronk makes a big error, attempting a 40/20 from outside his 20, and putting it out on the full. The Eels get the ball in good field position, 30 metres from the tryline.
Melbourne Storm 10-4
Cronk kicks for the left of the field this time, but the Eels defenders are up to the task. O'neill is then penalised, so the Eels get piggybacked out of their danger zone.
Melbourne Storm 10-4
And now the Eels are penalised for slowing down the play the ball. Tim Mannah doesn't like it, but the ref tells him where to go.
Melbourne Storm 10-4
TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Billy Slater. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Another try for the storm here. A pinpoint kick from Cronk sails over the Eels' heads, and Sisa Waqa slows up and takes the ball on the full. He steps back inside, and then passes short to Billy Slater, who crosses for a four pointer. Smith, from 20 metres out, makes an absolute mess of the kick.
Melbourne Storm 10-4
Eels penalised for a grapple tackle now - Kelly is the offender.
Melbourne Storm 6-4
The Eels lose the ball forward at the end of that set, and the Storm will work it out from their 20 metre line. A quick draw and pass probably would have seen the Eels in open space.
Melbourne Storm 6-4
Storm on attack again, but a lazy pass floats forward, and the Eels are let off the hook. Eels get the scrum feed from 15 metres out. Off the back of that Maurice Blair is penalised for being "a mile offside".
Melbourne Storm 6-4
TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Ryan Hoffman. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Proctor makes a break, but stumbles and is cleaned up. Two plays later the Storm sends the ball left, and Hoffman crosses for the Storm's first try of the afternoon. Smith, from 20 metres in from the sideline, adds the extras.
Melbourne Storm 6-4
A wobbly drop-out from the Eels, it dribbles over the 40 metre line, and Bromwich brings it back to the 30.
Parramatta Eels 4-0
Cameron Smith allowed to run here, and almost makes a break. On the last tackle Cronk rolls a grubber into the ingoal, and the Storm force a line drop-out.
Parramatta Eels 4-0
Penalty against Reni Maitua now, for coming into the tackle too late. The referee had already called held, but Maitua joined anyway. The Storm kick down field, and then Proctor takes the tap.
Parramatta Eels 4-0
Cameron smith kicks off again, and the Eels bring it out off their own line.
Parramatta Eels 4-0
TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Semi Radradra. Conversion attempt by Jake Mullaney unsuccessful.
And it's a TRY! Some quick ball movement from the right to the left sees Semi Radradra cross in the corner. It was a case of catch, draw and pass, and the winger finds a couple of metres to sneak down the sideline. Jake Mullaney attempts the kick from 20 metres out on the sideline, but pushes it well out to the right hand side.
Parramatta Eels 4-0
Possibly try to the Eels here - we're just checking the grounding...
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First penalty here tonight against the Storm, for putting their hands all over the ball in the ruck. The Eels kick down field and will attack from within the 20m zone.
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Hinchcliffe hit hard by Lussick and Allgood in a big tackle.
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The Storm kick off and Parramatta get first use of the ball. It's a good set for the Eels, making 70 metres before kicking deep into the in-goal area. Storm get the 20m tap.
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Just minutes away from kickoff here this afternoon. The Storm will be looking to cement a spot in the top 4, while the Eels will be looking to not get a cricket score put on them. Rumours today of Ricky Stuart looking to leave the club, and sign a contract with the Canberra Raiders for the next 7 years. Find out more on the Front Row Forums - http://forums.leagueunlimited.com
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Welcome to LeagueUnlimited's LIVE coverage from AAMI Park in Melbourne as the Storm host the struggling Parramatta Eels.
Team news, the Storm are 1-13 with changes on the bench with Tohu Harris dropping out of the side. Tim Glasby fills his spot on the interchange.
A positional change for the Eels with Fuifui Moimoi shifting to the bench. Pat O'Hanlon will start in the forwards. Daniel Harrison isn't required and falls off the interchange.
Storm: 1. Billy Slater 2. Sisa Waqa 3. Will Chambers 4. Maurice Blair 5. Justin O'Neill 6. Brett Finch 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith (c) 10. Bryan Norrie 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Ryan Hinchcliffe
Interchange: 14. Jason Ryles 16. Jordan McLean 17. Kenneath Bromwich 18. Tim Glasby
Eels: 1. Jake Mullaney 2. Ken Sio 3. Ryan Morgan 4. Vai Toutai 5. Semi Radradra 6. Ben Roberts 7. Luke Kelly 8. Tim Mannah (c) 9. Matt Keating 17. Pat O'Hanlon 11. Reni Maitua 12. Mitchell Allgood 13. Darcy Lussick
Interchange: 14. Junior Paulo 15. Joseph Paulo 16. Peni Terepo 10. Fuifui Moimoi
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Referees & scorers:
Referee: Adam Devcich, Gavin Morris
Touch Judges: Rickey McFarlane, Dave Ryan
Video Referee: Luke Phillips, Justin Morgan
MELBOURNE STORM (64)
Tries: Ryan Hoffman (2), Billy Slater (3), Will Chambers (2), Kenneath Bromwich, Tim Glasby, Jesse Bromwich, Maurice Blair
Field Goals:
Conversions: Cameron Smith (10/11)
Penalty Goals:
PARRAMATTA EELS (4)
Tries: Semi Radradra
Field Goals:
Conversions: Jake Mullaney (0/1)
Penalty Goals: