The full time siren has sounded. The score tells you everything you need to know tonight. The Storm could have defeated any NRL team tonight and the Roosters appeared they wouldn't beat anyone in the NRL today (Except maybe the Knights). Thanks for joining us, stay tuned for a match report.
Melbourne Storm 46-0
UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS: Mitchell Aubusson makes an unforced error.
That will end the final set for the Roosters tonight. Poor like their display.
Melbourne Storm 46-0
The 50 points go begging. Asofa-Solomona gets his hands to a Cronk grubber in goal and the referee says knock on. The forward is upset but it's the right call.
Melbourne Storm 46-0
UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS: Daniel Tupou makes an unforced error.
Melbourne are still showing high energy. Tupou tries to reeling in a Cronk grubber and it's too difficult to handle, Tupou knocks on from 13m out.
Melbourne Storm 46-0
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM: Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
From the same spot Smith slipped in the first half. He keeps his balance and still converts from the sideline.
Melbourne Storm 46-0
TRY MELBOURNE STORM: Scored by Suliasi Vunivalu. Kick to come.
Munster and Cronk are ripping up the Roosters. From halfway again Munster creates his own line break. Cronk gets a pass at 20m to run and finish the play but is stopped 3m out. The next play Vunivalu receives a long pass to score untouched in the corner for a hat trick.
Melbourne Storm 44-0
The Roosters go the length of the field but Matterson puts a grubber kick in on the last and goes far too deep in goal. Here's a seven tackle set coming for the Storm from the 20m.
Melbourne Storm 40-0
The Storm play conservatively on their set. A fifth tackle kick from 10m out goes straight to Mitchell. Mitchell is tackled but receives a penalty for Morgan being inside the 10.
Melbourne Storm 40-0
Roosters can't do anything right. While in the ruck a Rooster accidentally passes after hitting the ground and is penalised.
Melbourne Storm 40-0
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM: Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Un-phased by the play he continues his great kicking.
Melbourne Storm 40-0
TRY MELBOURNE STORM: Scored by Cameron Munster. Kick to come.
Well the Roosters have two players around the 30m line aggressively engaging with two Storm defenders. The two Storm players keep their attention and play continues. On the next play the Storm score through Munster where the two Roosters (Ferguson and Aubusson) were missing.
Melbourne Storm 38-0
There's no leadership coming from the Roosters' halves. On fifth they lose 20m and Mitchell is forced to kick long.
Melbourne Storm 34-0
Smith decides to kick on fourth and as often is the case it's a smart move. The ball lands around the Roosters' try line and is eventually picked up by Mitchell.
Melbourne Storm 34-0
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM: Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
He's lifting his poor season conversion kick percentage tonight.
Melbourne Storm 34-0
TRY MELBOURNE STORM: Scored by Cooper Cronk. Kick to come.
Cronk on fourth tackle on the Roosters' left edge again runs at the line and appears to have grounded the ball for a try. The play has been sent to the bunker with the ruling of a try. The bunker has not overturned the call. Simple but brilliant try.
Melbourne Storm 32-0
Melbourne's fifth tackle kick tests Mitchell and at 10m out he drops the ball and Melbourne are on with another set of six instantly.
Melbourne Storm 28-0
The Roosters respond by kicking the ball back to Melbourne in their own 20m line.
Melbourne Storm 28-0
More metres from the Storm easily made. In three tackles they ran 70m and a Koroibete kick to try and score is fielded by Mitchell.
Melbourne Storm 28-0
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM: Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
From straight in front of the posts it's easy and it's good.
Melbourne Storm 28-0
TRY MELBOURNE STORM: Scored by Cooper Cronk. Kick to come.
It's a Melbourne masterclass. Another traditional Melbourne play. On halfway Cronk runs right, then shapes left in field to get the ball out the back to Munster. Munster runs through a gaping hole in the middle of the defence and passes back to the supporting Cronk to avoid Mitchell.
Melbourne Storm 26-0
UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM: Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
The left sideline kick is unsuccessful.
Melbourne Storm 22-0
TRY MELBOURNE STORM: Scored by Ryan Morgan. Kick to come.
Dale Finucane carried three Roosters defenders about 5m out and got an offload to Morgan. Morgan charges at the unsuspecting Roosters defenders and plants the ball over the low tackling Taukeiaho and Waerea-Hargreaves.
Melbourne Storm 22-0
Roosters have to kick from inside the 40m though from Friend and it's given Melbourne great field position around the halfway line.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
A Cooper Cronk special inside pass gets Koroibete a line break in mid field. Latrell Mitchell is able to prevent a try to the winger and the Roosters eventually come up with the football.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
Vunivalu keeps on impressing under the high ball. In the most difficult situations he's been reliable all night.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
Mitchell is tested from Cronk's bomb but he fields it and runs back to the 20m line.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
Aubusson is taken from the field for a HIA test from the collision trying to score the try.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
Sensational Melbourne defence. Ferguson on the Rooster's right edge had a two on one with Koroibete. the Fijian goes for Ferguson and Ferguson gets an offload but the Aubusson is pushed into touch with covering Storm defence.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
Don't remember the last time the Roosters had the Storm for goal line defence. They can't score but Hastings gets a line drop out from a grubber kick in goal near Munster.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
That's better effort from Waerea-Hargreaves. He goes straight at Glasby earns 15m and a penalty.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
Storm making it into the Roosters half on tackle two in a strong contrast. Melbourne are making 15-20m each play and Cronk dashes for the line from 7m out on fifth tackle and two defenders stop him.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
Sydney were still stuck in their own half as they kick away. Vunivalu takes a great catch of a high bomb near the sideline under pressure.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
The Storm had the ball from 30m out for the entire set and they didn't produce much danger for the Roosters. Ferguson fields a cross field kick on fifth tackle.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
Waerea-Hargreaves and Glasby stop play as they scuffle away from the ball. Meanwhile The Roosters throw the ball over the sideline when attempting to link up with Ferguson.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
Anther sharp kick from Cameron Smith, he finds the grass in the corner for Mitchell to field and bring about 5 minutes into the field of play.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
A poor set from the Roosters, they force themselves to kick on the last after earning only 33m.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
Storm muscle their way into the 40m area of Sydney and Tupou is taken by the chasers on the 20m line.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
We are ready for the second half and the Roosters are kicking off.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
Trent Robinson on the first half: "They've (Melbourne) been running harder and tackling harder ... it's been really basic."
Melbourne Storm 18-0
Possession
MEL 57% SYD 43%
Completions
MEL 18 of 20 90% SYD 14 of 18 78%
Run Metres
MEL 887 SYD 558
Line Breaks
MEL 4 SYD 0
Tackles
J.Friend 33 K.Evans 27 C.Smith 23
Penalties
MEL 3 SYD 3
Melbourne Storm 18-0
That's half time. Storm in complete control. Will post some stats and resume play in about 15 minutes.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
Just 30m from the Roosters set they look they don't want to play another second of this half.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
Storm show they want more points before the end of the half. They make metres to get an attacking kick on the fifth but Mitchell shuts it down.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
The Storm will get the feed of a scrum from 25m out as the Roosters kick it to the sideline.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
Waerea-Hargreaves has been well contained tonight. This Storm pack is one of the best three in the game today.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
Smith clearly with half time looming in mind, works the last tackle kick trickling over the sideline for a Roosters scrum 10m out.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
UNFORCED ERROR SYDNEY ROOSTERS: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves makes an unforced error.
Waerea-Hargreaves is picked up by substitute Nelson Asofa-Solomona and sits him down. The ball comes away onto Asofa-Solomona and he's congratulated by all his teammates.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM: Suliasi Vunivalu makes an unforced error.
At 35m out when Vunivalu goes to play the ball it's seen loose on the ground. Roosters scrum.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
Respectable from the Roosters. Their set ends with Koroibete catching a bomb on his 10m line.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
It's a very quiet Allianz Stadium for the restart of play. Melbourne get up over halfway on fourth tackle. The Roosters get the ball back on their 10m line through Ferguson catching a bomb.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM: Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Setting himself halfway between the right sideline and mid field Smith keeps his footing and nails it.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
TRY MELBOURNE STORM: Scored by Kevin Proctor. Kick to come.
Three Melbourne Storm tries, three conceded on the Roosters' left edge. Munster is again given the ball with space from a Cronk pass. Instead of looking to pass for a centre or winger he links up with Proctor charging in towards the defence and scores an easy try.
Melbourne Storm 16-0
PENALTY Melbourne. Smith is tripped while receiving the ball at dummy half by Friend and earns Cummins' whistle. Big attacking set coming up.
Melbourne Storm 12-0
Bombed try Roosters. Friend grubbers through a hole in the Storm defence. Munster sits waiting for the bounce and Ferguson beats Munster to the ball, has ten metres to go uncontested. He trips over and knocks the ball on. Heart breaking for Ferguson and the Roosters.
Melbourne Storm 12-0
PENALTY Roosters. Proctor chasing through on Cronk's last tackle bomb illegally collects Mitchell while in the air contesting.
Melbourne Storm 12-0
Sydney are targeting Vunivalu on kick options, he has been shaky in the past but has been solid tonight. Friend's kick is taken easily.
Melbourne Storm 12-0
57 per cent possession for Melbourne thus far.
Melbourne Storm 12-0
Cronk wanders right on fifth tackle to grubber for the in goal, his kick is too deep and grants the Roosters a seven tackle set from the 20m.
Melbourne Storm 12-0
Storm work a set from 25m out. Munster breaks through the line on tackle three but is stopped in front of the posts by Hastings. Great defence.
Melbourne Storm 12-0
PENALTY Melbourne. Siua Taukeiaho penalised in the ruck.
Melbourne Storm 12-0
Mitchell led an attacking play towards left field. He fakes to pass and runs for about 20m, runs out of space and throws a pass for Tupou but the ball goes over the sideline.
Melbourne Storm 12-0
UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM: Dale Finucane makes an unforced error.
Lost ball in the tackle. Roosters get a scrum from 40m out.
Melbourne Storm 12-0
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM: Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
That is one of the best conversion's you'll ever see! From the left sideline, Smith SLIPS over while kicking and still gets enough pace and direction of the ball to go straight over the black dot JUST. The skipper raises his hands with a big smile to the crowd.
Melbourne Storm 12-0
TRY MELBOURNE STORM: Scored by Suliasi Vunivalu. Kick to come.
The tries keep coming for Vunivalu. He's only playing in his 7th NRL game and tonight marks his 10th NRL try and fifth double. More space for Melbourne on the Roosters' left edge. Munster passes for Morgan from 30m out. Morgan makes 20m without getting touched and passes for Vunivalu who shrugs two and dives over in the corner.
Melbourne Storm 10-0
Poor end of set kick from Sydney. The kick goes 25m and bouncing over the sideline at the Storm 40m line.
Melbourne Storm 6-0
Storm are targeting the Roosters left edge of Tupou and Copley. On fifth Munster runs at the line instead of kicking and the defenders hold the fullback up. Solid from the Roosters.
Melbourne Storm 6-0
Cummins looked to have got that wrong.
Melbourne Storm 6-0
Hastings bombs for Vunivalu's wing. The winger takes the catch and is illegally forced into the in goal according to Cummins. Penalty Melbourne.
Melbourne Storm 6-0
Waerea-Hargreaves had his hands free in a tackle through the line but had no support to offload to.
Melbourne Storm 6-0
Another penalty to the Roosters. This one gets them a 25m advance away from their 15m area.
Melbourne Storm 6-0
The Storm have got the slight edge on metres so far. Their kicks are coming in better attacking position.
Melbourne Storm 6-0
Standard set from the Roosters, they get through and put the Storm on their 20m line.
Melbourne Storm 6-0
Smith kicks from 45m out and kicks it into the back of Siua Taukeiaho. Roosters gain possession.
Melbourne Storm 6-0
There are reports Jake Friend may have a broken hand. For the moment he's playing on.
Melbourne Storm 6-0
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM: Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Smith from halfway between the sideline and mid field on right field is good.
Melbourne Storm 6-0
TRY MELBOURNE STORM: Scored by Suliasi Vunivalu. Kick to come.
Koroibete laid the foundation for this play. Cronk was running to right field and the pass went further out to Munster creating a three on one with the Roosters winger. Ryan Morgan gets the line break and passes to Vunivalu to avoid the fullback.
Melbourne Storm 4-0
Sydney have responded with hard running. Matterson had space on the left and almost dodged himself over. Fifth tackle was a disaster though as Koroibete fields a bomb, breaks three tackles and makes 30 metres.
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Referee Ben Cummins blows a penalty for the Roosters on halfway and that's got the biggest cheer of the game.
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Smith decides to kick from dummy half on fourth tackle. The captain spotted space on the left wing and from just outside the 40m line Smith gets the ball in play about 10m out.
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A more disciplined set from the Roosters here, they get 55m going straight up the middle of the field.
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The Storm give Cronk the opportunity to kick from 45m out and his bomb towards the goal posts is fielded by Ferguson.
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Just 35m from the Roosters set. Melbourne retain good field position.
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Roosters look vulnerable in defence on every play. They manage to hold on as Tupou fields a high Cronk bomb on fifth tackle.
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Melbourne Storm with high defensive pressure early. Tupou takes the second hit up of the game and knocks on 15m out from his line.
The Storm are shaping up for kick off with the Roosters to receive and we're underway.
Both teams are making their way onto Allianz Stadium.
Our start is delayed due to the previous match finishing late in Darwin. Should only be a few minutes more now.
Hello and welcome to LeagueUnlimited’s Round 14 coverage of the NRL featuring the Sydney Roosters vs. Melbourne Storm at Allianz Stadium. A quick look at the ladder would suggest this 2nd vs 15th matchup would lack intrigue but there’s plenty to be excited about for tonight’s game. This is the first match referee Ben Cummins will officiate with the Roosters after Trent Robinson blasted Cummins in a post-game press conference. Will the Roosters turn their poor win/loss record under Ben Cummins around? The last time these teams met was round one of the 2015 NRL finals series and the Storm won against the minor premiers 20-18. Stay with us for a 7:30pm kick-off.
Referees & scorers:
Referee: Ben Cummins, Chris Sutton
Touch Judges: Shane Rehm, Belinda Sleeman
Video Referee: Bernard Sutton, Jason Robinson, Ben Galea
SYDNEY ROOSTERS (0)
Tries:
Field Goals:
Conversions:
Penalty Goals:
MELBOURNE STORM (46)
Tries: Suliasi Vunivalu (3), Kevin Proctor, Ryan Morgan, Cooper Cronk (2), Cameron Munster
Field Goals:
Conversions: Cameron Smith (7/8)
Penalty Goals: