Storm end Roosters streak, secure home Prelim

The Melbourne Storm are only 80 minutes away from their sixth Grand Final appearance in a decade after upsetting the Roosters by 20-18 at Allianz Stadium in front of 20,521 fans.

With the Roosters coming into the finals off the back of a twelve game winning streak, Melbourne were expected to struggle against the Minor Premiers, but with a first class performance from fullback Cameron Munster, the Storm continually grinded away before coming away with a hard-fought two-point victory.

In a closely fought first half, the Storm opened the scoring in the tenth minute after Cameron Munster sent Marika Koroibete over for his 16th try of the season following a left side shift.

The Roosters responded ten minutes later after rookie forward Sio Siua Taukeiaho muscled his way over to score his second career try, with James Maloney converting the scores were tied at 6-all.

Maloney added a penalty goal with eight minutes left in the first half, while both sides bombed opportunities to extend the lead after Michael Jennings failed to ground a Jackson Hastings grubber and Matt Duffie was unable to latch onto an inside pass from Will Chambers with the line wide open.

With Marika Koroibete sustaining a lacerated achilles during the first half, Melbourne were forced into a reshuffle with Kurt Mann shifting onto the wing and Tohu Harris moving into the backline.

The Storm sought to grind away early in the second half and drew the scores level following a Cameron Smith penalty goal after 48 minutes.

Soon after, Melbourne extended their lead to a converted try after Kurt Mann forced his way over in the left corner.

Seemingly out of the contest, the Roosters produced one of the tries of the season through Shaun Kenny-Dowall with 15 minutes remaining; with Michael Jennings displaying raw speed and footwork in the lead-up, rookie playmaker Jackson Hasting opted to kick for his winger who touched down.

James Maloney was unable to add the extras, with his conversion hitting the right upright, leaving the home side trailing by two.

Melbourne secured the match with ten minutes remaining after winger Matt Duffie atoned for his first half mishap, batting the ball back from a Cooper Cronk kick allowing front-rower Tim Glasby to crash over for only his second try of the season.

With Cameron Smith nailing the conversion the Storm were not to be denied.

While the Roosters were able to cross with five minute remaining through Blake Ferguson, their inability to capitalise on opportunities ultimately cost them as they went down in the first week for the second straight year.

Tipped by many to simply be making up the numbers in the finals, the Storm produced a sensational effort to grind away, while rookie fullback Cameron Munster produced a flawless effort that frustrated the Roosters into a loss.

Apart from Marika Koroibete, coach Craig Bellamy will also be monitoring front-rower Jordan McLean who spent a large portion of the second half out with a lower leg injury.

With the Roosters facing a sudden-death clash next Friday night, coach Trent Robinson should have halfback Mitchell Pearce back from injury for the must-win encounter.

Next week the Roosters will face off against either the Bulldogs or Dragons at Allianz Stadium on Friday night, while the Storm will have the week off to prepare for a Preliminary Final at AAMI Park the following week.

Match Details

Sydney Roosters 18 Melbourne Storm 20
Venue: Allianz Stadium
Crowd: 20521
Halftime Score: Sydney Roosters 8 Melbourne Storm 6

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (18)
Tries: Siosiua Taukeiaho, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Blake Ferguson
Conversions: James Maloney (2/3)
Penalty Goals: James Maloney (1/1)

MELBOURNE STORM (20)
Tries: Marika Koroibete, Kurt Mann, Tim Glasby
Conversions: Cameron Smith (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Cameron Smith (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Cameron Munster
2 points - Jesse Bromwich
1 point - Jackson Hastings

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of the 2015 NRL Finals Series. After 26 rounds; 8 teams have been eliminated, 8 remain and only 1 will claim the prestigious title of Premiers in the first weekend of October.

In the first match, minor premiers the Sydney Roosters do battle with the defiant Melbourne Storm at Allianz Stadium for a place in the Preliminary Final.

The loser will face off against the winner of tomorrow nights elimination final between St. George Illawarra and Canterbury.

The Sydney Roosters will be 1-17, despite reports that Mitchell Pearce would make an early return from injury. Jackson Hastings will remain at halfback alongside James Maloney who avoided suspension after being cited for a trip during last week's win over South Sydney.

Melbourne have made a few slight changes - Dale Finucane returns after a month-long stint on the sideline with injury, while Jordan McLean starts ahead of Tim Glasby.

For the Roosters, former Warriors Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Suaia Matagi will make their finals debut; while 12 players who were apart of the Preliminary Final loss to the Rabbitohs will feature in tonights match.

Cameron Munster, Kurt Mann and Nelson Asofa-Solomona will make their NRL finals debuts for the Storm. Melbourne will be aided by the experience of Cameron Smith, who will play his 26th finals match, making him the most experienced finals player in the competition alongside Brisbane's Corey Parker.

These two sides have met once before in a finals match; in 1998, the Roosters pulled off a 26-12 win over the Storm at Olympic Park.

Tonight marks an important milestone for Melbourne five-eighth Blake Green who will play his first NRL finals match since 2008. In his first season back in the NRL after a four year stint with Hull KR and Wigan in the English Super League, Green will be a major player for the Storm as they look to avenge their disappointing exit from the finals in 2014.

After starring for the Raiders in the 2012 finals series, Blake Ferguson will be looking to make a statement for the Roosters. Having experienced a tumultuous past two years, Ferguson will be out to cap off an impressive return season by helping the Bondi club progress to the Preliminary Final with victory tonight.

The Roosters kickoff and the finals are underway.

2: Cooper Cronk bombs but Shaun Kenny-Dowall is on the spot to clean up.

2: Sam Moa draws a penalty after Ryan Hinchcliffe was deemed to have held on to long.

4: Jackson Hastings chips for Daniel Tupou, but Matt Duffie flies high to give the Storm a 20 metre re-start.

5: Cooper Cronk loses the ball inside the Roosters half. Roosters with a scrum feed.

6: Aidan Guerra attempts to put Blake Ferguson into a gap, but the Storm are able to defuse the situation.

7: James Maloney earns a line dropout. Big chance for the Roosters to post opening points.

7: Sam Moa loses the ball allowing Will Chambers to start a set close to halfway.

8: Cameron Munster tries to breach the Roosters defence, but the minor premiers are up to the challenge.

8: Jake Friend is able to dive on the ball after it deflected off the posts.

9: Marika Koroibete is over in the corner. We'll check the video to confirm the decision, but the Fijian flyer looks to have scored the first try of the night.

10: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Marika Koroibete. Kick to come.
First blood to Melbourne. Great work by the Storm to shift the ball to the left, allowing Koroibete to use his speed to get over for his 16th try of 2015.

11: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
From the sideline, Cameron Smith puts the ball between the posts. 6-0 to Melbourne.

12: 40/20 MELBOURNE STORM
Blake Green kicks a 40/20.
The Melbourne 5/8 comes up with a major play.

13: The 40/20 comes to nothing as Cameron Munster loses the ball early in the set.

15: Aidan Guerra concedes a penalty. Melbourne find touch 35 metres out from their own line.

15: Will Chambers into a bit of space.

16: Shaun Kenny-Dowall has no problem coming up with the ball after a misguided kick from Cooper Cronk.

17: Maloney delivers a cut-out ball for Michael Jennings, but the Storm are able to clean up the Roosters centre.

17: Blake Green loses the ball in-goal. Roosters to get the ball back from a line drop out.

18: Taukeiaho is close to the line. The referee has ruled No Try, but we'll check to see whether the big man has scored.

18: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Siosiua Taukeiaho. Kick to come.
In his first year with the Roosters NRL squad, Siosiua Taukeiaho has scored his second try of 2015.

19: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
From next to the posts, Maloney levels the scores at 6-all.

20: The Roosters were expected to struggle following the departure of Sonny Bill Williams last year, but with the emergence of Sio Siua Taukeiaho, the minor premiers have more than filled the void.

20: The Roosters get a penalty.

20: Tim Glasby is on for the Storm.

21: Boyd Cordner pops an offload for Tuivasa-Scheck, but the Roosters fullback knees the ball dead. Missed opportunity for the Roosters there.

22: Kurt Mann makes a mistake. The Roosters get another opportunity close to halfway.

23: Michael Jennings loses the ball. Melbourne will get a chance to threaten the Roosters with a set on halfway.

24: Blake Green goes close to the Roosters tryline.

24: Jackson Hastings can't get out of his own in-goal. Play will resume with a line drop out.

25: Hinchcliffe makes a strong run inside the Roosters 10.

26: Cooper Cronk bombs for Matt Duffie, but Daniel Tupou is able to come up with possession.

27: Friend chips ahead, but the Storm are able to start a set inside their own half.

28: Issac Liu on for the Roosters.

28: The Roosters are awarded a line drop out after the ball came into contact with Cameron Munster's knee.

29: Kane Evans takes a charge for the Roosters.

30: Maloney is cut down by Kurt Mann 10 metres out.

30: Penalty to the Roosters on the last tackle.

30: James Maloney elects to take the two points to give the Roosters the lead.

32: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Penalty goal attempt by James Maloney successful.
Maloney adds the extras. 8-6 Roosters.

32: Nelson Asofa-Solomona is on for Melbourne.

33: Dale Finucane also on for the Storm.

33: Suaia Matagi makes his first involvement of the night.

35: Michael Jennings loses the ball over the line after Jackson Hastings put in a terrific kick in-goal.

35: Melbourne get a penalty and will start a set 25 metres out.

36: Kevin Proctor is able to dive on a loose pass close to the Roosters tryline.

37: Jackson Hastings comes up with possession.

37: Matt Duffie makes a great diving tackle on Michael Jennings close to halfway.

38: Matt Duffie can't hold onto a pass from Will Chambers that would've put Melbourne over for a try.

40: Cameron Munster takes the final run of the first half with the Roosters leading 8-6.

40: Cameron Smith kicks off and Matagi takes a charge into the Storm forward pack.

41: James Maloney hoists the ball into the air, but Cameron Munster is able to clean up for Melbourne.

41: Matt Duffie gets a penalty for the Storm.

42: BIG NEWS: Marika Koroibete is out for the remainder the night with an achilles laceration - Kurt Mann moves to the wing, Tohu Harris shifts to centre.

42: Roger Tuivasa-Scheck has knocked on in-goal, line drop out for the Storm.

43: Asofa-Solomona takes the ball into the Roosters half.

44: Daniel Tupou muscles his way out of the in-goal to prevent a line drop out.

45: Maloney bombs, Matt Duffie catches. Melbourne start a set 30 metres out for their own line.

46: Matt Duffie is tackled by Tuivasa-Scheck 10 metres out.

46: Melbourne get a penalty and elect to level to scores at 8-all.

47: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL MELBOURNE STORM
Penalty goal attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Smith converts, scores are back level.

49: Tupou carts the ball up the Roosters 20 metre line.

50: Kane Evans is dragged down 20 out from the Melbourne line.

50: Matt Duffie has no problem catching a Maloney high ball in-goal.

51: Tuivasa-Scheck is taken just short of his own in-goal.

51: Issac Liu makes a nice run for the Roosters.

51: Maloney punts the ball over the sideline.

53: Kenny Bromwich take his first run for Melbourne.

54: Tuivasa-Scheck has given the Storm a huge chance to take the lead.

54: Kurt Mann has scored, but we'll check with the video. It looked as though the makeshift winger didn't go into touch.

54: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Kurt Mann. Kick to come.
In what may be his final game before joining the Dragons in 2016, Kurt Mann scores to give Melbourne the lead. 12-8 KTC.

55: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Smith has trouble adding the extras. It's a six point game, while the Storm look to take an early field goal?

56: Cooper Cronk drills the ball into touch.

57: Tim Glasby replaces Jordan McLean.

57: The Roosters don't look to be playing anywhere near their ability, but it's only a six point game.

58: Cameron Smith kicks long down field, but the Roosters come up with possession.

59: Mitch Aubusson is operating out of dummy half with Jake Friend off the field.

60: Blake Green puts in a great kick to find touch 20 metres out from the Roosters line.

60: The Roosters get a much-needed penalty.

60: Maloney finds touch 25 metres out from the Melbourne line.

62: Maloney's kick rolls over the dead ball line. Melbourne off the hook.

64: Cronk's kick goes dead. Both playmakers haven't had a great night with the boot tonight.

65: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Shaun Kenny-Dowall. Kick to come.
Out of nowhere, the Roosters have pulled off one of tries of 2015.

66: With some sensational footwork, Michael Jennings has bamboozled the Melbourne defence, before Jackson Hastings chips across field to put Kenny-Dowall over for a try.

67: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney unsuccessful.
From the sideline, Maloney hits the right upright. No goal and Melbourne lead by two.

68: Hastings bombs and Cameron Munster does a good job to gather possession.

69: Cameron Smith has thrown two consecutive passes which have been questionable at best.

70: Hastings bombs, but Munster does a marvellous job to take the ball in-goal.

70: Jake Friend back on for the Roosters.

71: Matt Duffie has batted the ball back, and Tim Glasby may have scored the try that will seal the match for the Melbourne Storm.

71: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Tim Glasby. Kick to come.
He's only scored five tries in his career, but that one may be the most important of Tim Glasby's career. Storm lead 18-12 with a kick to seal the match.

72: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Cameron Smith has had some important kicks in his career, but from the sideline the Storm captain puts Melbourne up by 8.

73: The Roosters get the ball back from a short kick-off.

74: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Blake Ferguson. Kick to come.
IT'S NOT OVER YET! Ferguson crashes over, there's still time for the Roosters!

74: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
From the sideline, Maloney nails the kick.

74: Napa takes the first run of the set.

75: Big hit on Issac Liu by Dale Finucane.

75: Maloney bombs for Matt Duffie, who cleans up well for the Storm.

76: Smith finds touch for the Storm. The Roosters to start a set from 20 metres out.

77: MALONEY KNOCKS ON!

77: The Storm will start a set on halfway.

78: Cronk is taken on the last by his opposite number.

79: Kenny-Dowall makes a strong run up to the 40 metre line.

79: Hastings bombs, but as he has done all night Cameron Munster does a wonderful job at the back.

79: Cronk aims the ball into touch but the Roosters come up with possession.

79: Ferguson is tackled on the last. Melbourne win!

80: Melbourne have upset the Minor Premiers to secure a home Preliminary Final.