Lomax stars in game 100 as Dragons ambush ill-disciplined Warriors
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Raiders ruin the Storm streak
The Canberra Raiders have done the unexpected and ended the winning streak of the Melbourne Storm with a 24-20 victory at AAMI Park in front of 15,464 fans.
Blake Ferguson was the stand out for the Raiders as he showed up his opposition centre in Justin O'Neill all night in defence.
Josh McCrone provided Ferguson the foundation for the first try with a pin-point cut out pass. The Raiders capitalised early on field position to lead the Storm 6-0 after 11 minutes.
The Storm replied minutes later with a charge from Jesse Bromwich off a short pass from Cameron Smith. The game locked up after 17 minutes, 6-all.
A controversial call came in the 34th minute with the video referee awarding a try to Billy Slater, which on replay showed an obstruction play. However, the try was awarded and the Storm hit the lead for the first time, 12-6.
The Raiders had the final say of the first half as Blake Ferguson claimed his second try in a similar fashion to his first thanks to another cut out pass from Josh McCrone.
At half time, the game all locked up at 12-all.
The Raiders had the final say of the first half as Blake Ferguson claimed his second try in a similar fashion to his first thanks to another cut out pass from Josh McCrone.
At half time, the game all locked up at 12-all.
The Raiders put the Storm on the back foot for the opening of the second half with two tries in the first 15 minutes. Jack Wighton charged through the defence of Will Chambers and powered over the chalk. Reece Robinson burst away from the Storm chasers with a length of the field effort. The Raiders' attack isolated the Storm flanks to great affect.
After 55 minutes the Raiders leaders, 24-20.
The Storm lifted their game as the clock started to creep away from them. The Melbourne side posted two tries in four minutes to give the home fans hope of victory. Justin O'Neill started the movement with his sliding try through the Raiders defence. The second came through Mahe Fonua who made up for his earlier errors with his own four-pointer.
The Raiders held strong despite a late surge by the Storm, Canberra ended the streak of the Melbourne side, 24-20.
The Raiders put the Storm on the back foot for the opening of the second half with two tries in the first 15 minutes. Jack Wighton charged through the defence of Will Chambers and powered over the chalk. Reece Robinson burst away from the Storm chasers with a length of the field effort. The Raiders' attack isolated the Storm flanks to great affect.
After 55 minutes the Raiders leaders, 24-20.
The Storm lifted their game as the clock started to creep away from them. The Melbourne side posted two tries in four minutes to give the home fans hope of victory. Justin O'Neill started the movement with his sliding try through the Raiders defence. The second came through Mahe Fonua who made up for his earlier errors with his own four-pointer.
The Raiders held strong despite a late surge by the Storm, Canberra ended the streak of the Melbourne side, 24-20.
Match Details
Melbourne Storm 20 Canberra Raiders 24
Venue: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
Crowd: 15464
Halftime Score: 12 all
LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Blake Ferguson
2 points - Shaun Fensom
1 point - Dane Tilse
MELBOURNE STORM (20)
Tries: Jesse Bromwich, Billy Slater, Justin O'Neill, Mahe Fonua
Field Goals:
Conversions: Cameron Smith (2/4)
Penalty Goals:
CANBERRA RAIDERS (24)
Tries: Blake Ferguson (2), Jack Wighton, Reece Robinson
Field Goals:
Conversions: Blake Ferguson (4/4)
Penalty Goals:
LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary
Welcome to LeagueUnlimited.com's coverage LIVE from AAMI Park of the Melbourne Storm hosting the Canberra Raiders.
Team news for the Storm tonight, Brett Finch and Maurice Blair come into the line-up on the bench. Kenny Bromwich, Slade Griffin and Lagi Setu all not required tonight and drop out of the side.
Meanwhile for the Raiders, Glen Buttriss has passed his fitness test and replaces Matt McIlwrick in the starting side. Joe Picker comes into the starting 13 with Jake Foster shifting to the bench
Storm: 1. Billy Slater 2. Sisa Waqa 3. Will Chambers 4. Justin O’Neill 5. Mahe Fonua 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Bryan Norrie 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Tohu Harris
Interchange: 14. Jason Ryles 15. Junior Moors 20. Brett Finch 21. Maurice Blair
Raiders: 1. Reece Robinson 2. Sandor Earl 3. Jack Wighton 4. Blake Ferguson 5. Edrick Lee 6. Terry Campese 7. Josh McCrone 8. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs 20. Glen Buttriss 10. Brett White 11. Joel Edwards 15. Joe Picker 13. Shaun Fensom 14. Anthony Milford 12. Jake Foster 16. Dane Tilse 17. Paul Vaughan
Team news for the Storm tonight, Brett Finch and Maurice Blair come into the line-up on the bench. Kenny Bromwich, Slade Griffin and Lagi Setu all not required tonight and drop out of the side.
Meanwhile for the Raiders, Glen Buttriss has passed his fitness test and replaces Matt McIlwrick in the starting side. Joe Picker comes into the starting 13 with Jake Foster shifting to the bench
Storm: 1. Billy Slater 2. Sisa Waqa 3. Will Chambers 4. Justin O’Neill 5. Mahe Fonua 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Bryan Norrie 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Tohu Harris
Interchange: 14. Jason Ryles 15. Junior Moors 20. Brett Finch 21. Maurice Blair
Raiders: 1. Reece Robinson 2. Sandor Earl 3. Jack Wighton 4. Blake Ferguson 5. Edrick Lee 6. Terry Campese 7. Josh McCrone 8. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs 20. Glen Buttriss 10. Brett White 11. Joel Edwards 15. Joe Picker 13. Shaun Fensom 14. Anthony Milford 12. Jake Foster 16. Dane Tilse 17. Paul Vaughan
We are minutes away from kick off at AAMI Park with the teams in the sheds getting the final word from their coaches.
1 min: We are underway in Melbourne with the Canberra Raiders kicking off to give the Storm the first use of the ball
1 min: Will Chambers with a great chase on the Storm's last tackle kick as he put Reece Robinson under pressure to take the kick. Raiders now working it off their 10 metre line.
5 min: First penalty to the Storm, meanwhile there is injury concern for Tom Learoyd-Lahrs
5 min: Coach-killer at the max, Terry Campese fails to find touch off the penalty kick. Storm working it over the Raiders halfway line.
5 min: Penalty to the Storm against Jake Foster for taking Billy Slater late off the ball. Storm attacking only 20 metres from the Raiders line.
6 min: UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM
Billy Slater makes an unforced error.
Billy Slater is unable to hold onto the ball as he went to ground as he went searching for a hole in the Raiders defence. As a result of the mistake, the Raiders pack down a scrum feed 10 metres away from their own goal line
Billy Slater makes an unforced error.
Billy Slater is unable to hold onto the ball as he went to ground as he went searching for a hole in the Raiders defence. As a result of the mistake, the Raiders pack down a scrum feed 10 metres away from their own goal line
8 min: Sisa Waqa passed forward to Chambers has he was being forced into touch. Scrum for Raiders, 15 metres out from the Storm goal line.
11 min: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Blake Ferguson. Conversion attempt by Blake Ferguson successful.
Blake Ferguson claims first points as Josh McCrone laid the platform with a beautiful two man cut out pass for his inside centre. The Raiders capitalising on field position. Blake Ferguson with the kicking duties in place of the injured Jarrod Croker was successful with the kick
Canberra Raiders 6-0
Scored by Blake Ferguson. Conversion attempt by Blake Ferguson successful.
Blake Ferguson claims first points as Josh McCrone laid the platform with a beautiful two man cut out pass for his inside centre. The Raiders capitalising on field position. Blake Ferguson with the kicking duties in place of the injured Jarrod Croker was successful with the kick
Canberra Raiders 6-0
13 min: Penalty to the Storm against the Raiders for a second attempt in the tackle after the legs.
14 min: Second penalty to the Storm, they attack only 10 metres from the Canberra try line
15 min: Third penalty to the Storm in a row, this time for a flop. They take the quick tap and attack 10 metres from the goal line
17 min: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Jesse Bromwich. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Jesse Bromwich charged through the Raiders defence next to the uprights after taking the short pass from Cameron Smith. The Storm making use of the back-to-back-to-back penalties. Cameron Smith makes no mistake with the conversion from in front
6 all
Scored by Jesse Bromwich. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Jesse Bromwich charged through the Raiders defence next to the uprights after taking the short pass from Cameron Smith. The Storm making use of the back-to-back-to-back penalties. Cameron Smith makes no mistake with the conversion from in front
6 all
18 min: Time off here with Joe Picker down after Kevin Proctor's hip clashed with his head. Picker looks to come off
18 min: Joe Picker comes off and for now the Raiders are down to 15 players. Jake Foster comes onto the field. Play continues on the 3rd tackle with the Storm on their own 40 metre line.
19 min: Penalty to the Raiders on the last tackle as the Storm ruled to have hands on the ball in the ruck
20 min: UNFORCED ERROR CANBERRA RAIDERS
Blake Ferguson makes an unforced error.
Blake Ferguson charged into the Storm defence off a short pass from Reece Robinson, however he dropped the ball short of the goal line. A scrum packs for the Melbourne Storm, 10 metres away from their line
Blake Ferguson makes an unforced error.
Blake Ferguson charged into the Storm defence off a short pass from Reece Robinson, however he dropped the ball short of the goal line. A scrum packs for the Melbourne Storm, 10 metres away from their line
23 min: UNFORCED ERROR CANBERRA RAIDERS
Blake Ferguson makes an unforced error.
Blake Ferguson comes up with another mistake as the Raiders attempted to shift the ball. Scrum feed for the Storm on their own 40 metre line
Blake Ferguson makes an unforced error.
Blake Ferguson comes up with another mistake as the Raiders attempted to shift the ball. Scrum feed for the Storm on their own 40 metre line
24 min: The Storm shifted wide, but the floating pass from Cronk is missed by Mahe. Scrum Raiders 10 metres from their goal line
25 min: Differential penalty to the Raiders for the Storm failing to pack correctly. Raiders attacking just short of halfway
26 min: UNFORCED ERROR CANBERRA RAIDERS
Blake Ferguson makes an unforced error.
Blake Ferguson comes up with a mistake as the bat back off the hands Mahe Fonua isn't cleaned up. Scrum Storm
Blake Ferguson makes an unforced error.
Blake Ferguson comes up with a mistake as the bat back off the hands Mahe Fonua isn't cleaned up. Scrum Storm
27 min: Cooper Cronk's long kick on the last tackle is juggled by Reece Robinson at the mouth of the posts, he cleans up and the defence meets him at the 10 metre line.
28 min: Penalty to the Raiders and they charge up near halfway with the kick for touch
28 min: Second penalty to the Storm against Kevin Proctor for a strip in the ruck. Raiders kick for touch and will start their set 30 metres from the goal line
29 min: VIDEO REFEREE for the Raiders, Edrick Lee reached out for the line and scored. We have a TRY, we are looking at the grounding and sideline here
29 min: Video Referee rules NO TRY for Edrick Lee has his left hand scrapped the touchline before he managed to reach out and ground the ball in the corner. Scrum feed packs for the Storm on their own 10 metre line.
32 min: Billy Slater made a good skipping break, the kick away for Chambers is knocked out by Edrick Lee. Line drop out called for the Storm
33 min: VIDEO REFEREE for the Storm, Billy Slater has scored. We are looking at obstruction here
34 min: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Billy Slater. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Billy Slater is awarded the try despite an obstruction clear as day being run by the Storm. The video referee overturn the original decision and gave Slater his try. Cameron Smith with the conversion added the extras from next to the posts
Melbourne Storm 12-6
Scored by Billy Slater. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Billy Slater is awarded the try despite an obstruction clear as day being run by the Storm. The video referee overturn the original decision and gave Slater his try. Cameron Smith with the conversion added the extras from next to the posts
Melbourne Storm 12-6
35 min: Cooper Cronk is ruled offside from the kick on the last tackle, penalty to the Raiders
37 min: Time off here with Billy Slater called out. Penalty to the Raiders for a shoulder charge
38 min: UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM
Sisa Waqa makes an unforced error.
Sisa Waqa ruled to have knocked on as the Raiders attempted to shift the ball. Scrum feed packs for Canberra 10 metres out from the Storm line. Big chance to level the score before half time here
Sisa Waqa makes an unforced error.
Sisa Waqa ruled to have knocked on as the Raiders attempted to shift the ball. Scrum feed packs for Canberra 10 metres out from the Storm line. Big chance to level the score before half time here
38 min: Penalty to the Raiders for the Storm pushing down the attacker after the held call. Still 10 metres out from the Storm line
40 min: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Blake Ferguson. Conversion attempt by Blake Ferguson successful.
Blake Ferguson claims his second try off another cut out pass from Josh McCrone. A poor defensive read once again from Justin O'Neill as Ferguson makes him pay again. He converts his own try and the Raiders lock the game up at 12-all
12 all
Scored by Blake Ferguson. Conversion attempt by Blake Ferguson successful.
Blake Ferguson claims his second try off another cut out pass from Josh McCrone. A poor defensive read once again from Justin O'Neill as Ferguson makes him pay again. He converts his own try and the Raiders lock the game up at 12-all
12 all
40 min: Second half is UNDERWAY in Melbourne with Cameron Smith kicking off, Joel Edwards takes the catch to start the first set for the Raiders.
43 min: UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM
Mahe Fonua makes an unforced error.
Mahe Fonua is unable to take the kick from the Raiders as it slips through his hands. The Raiders with a scrum feed 10 metres out from the goal line
Mahe Fonua makes an unforced error.
Mahe Fonua is unable to take the kick from the Raiders as it slips through his hands. The Raiders with a scrum feed 10 metres out from the goal line
44 min: Penalty to the Storm for being offside. Blake Ferguson is showing up Justin O'Neill tonight.
46 min: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Jack Wighton. Conversion attempt by Blake Ferguson successful.
Jack Wighton charged through the defence of Will Chambers and powered over the chalk. The Raiders attacking the flanks tonight and being successful. Blake Ferguson with the conversion from touch is successful
Canberra Raiders 18-12
Scored by Jack Wighton. Conversion attempt by Blake Ferguson successful.
Jack Wighton charged through the defence of Will Chambers and powered over the chalk. The Raiders attacking the flanks tonight and being successful. Blake Ferguson with the conversion from touch is successful
Canberra Raiders 18-12
50 min: Penalty to the Storm for a slow release in the ruck from the Raiders. The Storm attacking only 10 metres out
50 min: UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM
Mahe Fonua makes an unforced error.
Mahe Fonua drops the ball again as the Storm attempt to shift it wide off the back of a penalty
Mahe Fonua makes an unforced error.
Mahe Fonua drops the ball again as the Storm attempt to shift it wide off the back of a penalty
54 min: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Reece Robinson. Conversion attempt by Blake Ferguson successful.
Reece Robinson has gone the length of the field and raced away from Justin O'Neill to extend the score beyond two converted tries. Conversion successful from Ferguson is good
Canberra Raiders 24-12
Scored by Reece Robinson. Conversion attempt by Blake Ferguson successful.
Reece Robinson has gone the length of the field and raced away from Justin O'Neill to extend the score beyond two converted tries. Conversion successful from Ferguson is good
Canberra Raiders 24-12
57 min: VIDEO REFEREE for the Storm, Justin O'Neill is claiming. Referee says TRY, looking at the grounding here
59 min: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Justin O'Neill. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Justin O'Neill is awarded his try by the video referee as he was ruled to have slid over the goal line after taking a short offload off the kick from Cooper Cronk. Cameron Smith is unable to convert as his kick was pushed across the face of goal
Canberra Raiders 24-16
Scored by Justin O'Neill. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Justin O'Neill is awarded his try by the video referee as he was ruled to have slid over the goal line after taking a short offload off the kick from Cooper Cronk. Cameron Smith is unable to convert as his kick was pushed across the face of goal
Canberra Raiders 24-16
63 min: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Mahe Fonua. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Mahe Fonua hasn't been the best tonight, however he cleaned up the kick from Cooper Cronk and charged for the corner to claim the Storm's fourth try. Cameron Smith once again is unable to convert from touch.
Canberra Raiders 24-20
Scored by Mahe Fonua. Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Mahe Fonua hasn't been the best tonight, however he cleaned up the kick from Cooper Cronk and charged for the corner to claim the Storm's fourth try. Cameron Smith once again is unable to convert from touch.
Canberra Raiders 24-20
64 min: The kick from Cooper Cronk on the last tackle is too long as it rolls dead beating all chasers. 20 metre tap for the Raiders
68 min: Penalty to the Storm against Josh McCrone for hands in the ruck after the held call. The Storm attacking only 30 metres from the Raiders try line
69 min: The Storm started to connect the play together as Billy Slater looked to create a run around play, but his pass was dropped by Will Chambers. Scrum packs for the Raiders on their 10 metre line
73 min: Slater spread the ball to Waqa, but the Raiders force him over the touchline. Scrum Raiders, it was great pressure from Edrick Lee and Jack Wighton to force Sisa over the sideline. Raiders looking to close out the game with a chance 30 metres from the goal line
76 min: Inside FOUR minutes and the kick from Cooper Cronk beats Sisa Waqa over the touchline. Scrum feed to the Raiders 30 metres off their goal line
78 min: Brett Finch comes into the game inside the final TWO minutes for the Storm
78 min: 78:44 - Forward pass against the Raiders. Scrum feed for the Storm 40 metres out
79 min: The Storm have kicked on the first tackle from the scrum. Slater offside, Raiders with it on halfway
79 min: Scrum for the Raiders, 3 seconds to play.
80 min: FULL TIME at AAMI Park in Melbourne, The Canberra Raiders have ended the winning streak of the Storm with a strong performance, 24-20