Cronk field goal makes it three in a row for Melbourne

Cooper Cronk has repeated his heroics from state of origin, kicking a field goal to help Melbourne defeated Brisbane, 19 points to 18 in front of 41,467 fans at Suncorp.

There was a large sense of deja vu for Brisbane as they came out of the blocks strong against Melbourne, much like last Sunday verse Canterbury.

They got on the board in the 8th minute after a silly penalty from Waqa gave them position. Justin Hodges evaded three defenders to cross the tryline and Wallace converted to make it 6-0 Brisbane.

Power instead of finesse was used for the second try where Ben Te'o was on the end of quick hands then used his strength to get over defenders for the try. Brisbane were out of the gates quick again but needed to hold on.

Once Melbourne got some field position, they started throwing the football around and made in-roads into the Broncos defense. It took a Cronk 40/20 to set up the Storm's first try.

A six more call helped as the Storm put on a set play for Sisa Waqa to cross in the corner after some confirmation from the video referee.

Smith had no problems with the conversion to make it 12-6 Brisbane at halftime.

The attacking football from the Storm didn't cease in the opening minutes of the second half with Will Chambers making a break down the sideline.

Cooper Cronk on last kicked, hit the padding and regathered to score. Smith converted and Brisbane had surrendered a lead again.

Waqa got his second from a towering bomb which was touched by Brisbane right into his hands for the go ahead score. Smith made it three from three in conversions and Melbourne led for the first time in the game.

Brisbane still had something to say though. A late try to Ben Te'o making it two for him tonight and a Wallace conversion which brought the Suncorp crowd to their feet and make it 18 all.

Cooper Cronk silenced them though with his 74th minute field goal giving Melbourne their third win in a row and sunk Brisbane lower in the doldrums, fighting to make the top eight.

Match Details
Brisbane Broncos 18 were defeated by Melbourne Storm 19
National Rugby League - Round 24 - Friday August 17, 2012 7:45pm
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Referee: Matt Cecchin and Chris James
Video Referee: Paul Simpkins
Touch Judges: Steve Carrall and Grant Atkins
Crowd: 41,467
Halftime: Brisbane Broncos 12 Melbourne Storm 6

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Cooper Cronk (1 Try, 1 Conversion, 1 Field Goal)
2 Points - Justin Hodges (1 Try)
1 Point - Cameron Smith (2 Conversions)

Brisbane Broncos (18)
Tries: Justin Hodges, Ben Te'o (2)
Conversions: Peter Wallace (3/3)

Melbourne Storm (19)
Tries: Cooper Cronk, Sisa Waqa (2)
Field Goals: Cooper Cronk (1/1)
Conversions: Cooper Cronk (1/1), Cameron Smith (2/2)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to Brisbane and Suncorp Stadium! Tonight has an intriguing contest awaiting us. Melbourne who have seemingly regained their mojo, winning back to back games verse Penrith and Gold Coast against a Brisbane outfit who have fallen to seventh position in the ladder, needing a win to confirm their top eight spot.
It was a one way demolition in the Toyota Cup curtain raiser. Melbourne racked up 60 points in defeating Brisbane 18 to give their points differential a healthy boost.
TEAM CHANGES -

Brisbane - Corey Parker is back! Ben Te'o goes to the second row to partner Sam Thaiday with Parker at lock. Matt Gillett goes to the bench with Brendon Gibb missing out.

Melbourne - Bryan Norrie and Kevin Proctor will start in place of Jesse Bromwich and Sika Manu who are on the bench.
Here we go with Melbourne kicking off!
2 min: Safe opening by both sides, aiming for territory with their kicks.
6 min: Wallace puts the bomb high and it's taken safely by Waqa. Unfortunately though, one of his team-mates has obstructed the road. Penalty Brisbane.
8 min: TRY
From the tap restart, Brisbane do a nice sweeping movement finished by Justin Hodges stepping inside several players to score the opening try. Wallace with the conversion.
Brisbane Broncos 6-0
12 min: Brisbane have all the running early here.. Norman spills a kick that would have been a certain try.
13 min: A counter attack opportunity from the Storm but it's knocked on. Brisbane will go on the attack.
14 min: Building pressure here are the Broncos.. with another set, thanks to a dropout.
18 min: TRY
The pressure tolls on the Storm. The forwards go through the hands to send Ben Te'o across for the try. Wallace makes it two from two tonight.
Brisbane Broncos 12-0
20 min: Justin Hodges has poked his nose through.. looking for support but doesn't throw the pass. Waqa knocks it back and dives on the ball.
23 min: Kick out on the full by McCullough gives Melbourne a chance.
24 min: VIDEO REFEREE: Storm go high on last.. and it's taken by Ryan Hoffman, has he spilled it though?
24 min: NO TRY! It was touched by Brisbane. Line dropout.
31 min: Corey Norman has been good thus far but not this one, kicked out on the full.
34 min: Anthony Quinn tries an unnecessary offload and it's knocked on.
35 min: Brisbane go close as they go through the hands but the defense swarms and saves Quinn's blushes.
35 min: A very nice 40/20 from Cooper Cronk. Melbourne will have a full set in the Brisbane half.
36 min: Spread by the Storm but touched by Hodges. Six more for the Storm.
VIDEO REFEREE: Sisa Waqa might have scored, checking the grounding.
39 min: TRY
GREEN LIGHTS.. TRY! A simple shift from the Storm, sends Waqa in for the try. Cameron Smith from the sideline makes no mistake, converted.
Brisbane Broncos 12-6
40 min: Melbourne have fashioned a great opportunity and found an opening, knocked on. That's HALFTIME.
Here we go again! Broncos kick-off and Melbourne take it cleanly.
41 min: Good start from the Storm threatening to burst through several times in their opening set.
VIDEO REFEREE: Checking if Cooper Cronk has scored off his own kick.
44 min: TRY
That try was set up by a Chambers break. On last, Cronk kicks and it hits the padding, regathers it for himself and scores. Smith from besides the posts, converts.
12 all
47 min: Penalty Brisbane.. Slater goes as a blocker with no intention to go for the ball.
50 min: Melbourne are attacking through their own end and earn a repeat set. Dropout.
53 min: TRY
A high bomb from the Storm has been knocked on by the Broncos right into the hands of Waqa who makes it two for the night. Smith with the conversion, curls it back and goes through.
Melbourne Storm 18-12
55 min: Hodges has been a menace to the defense but he throws an errant pass which goes straight to the Storm.
61 min: Broncos have a chance but they've knocked on. Here come Melbourne again.
68 min: Broncos have made half a break here through Hodges who tries the flick pass to Beale who drops it.
69 min: Penalty to Brisbane.. Bryan Norrie comes in with a forearm and is on report.
70 min: Six more for the Broncos from a knock down. Followed by a penalty!
72 min: TRY
Brisbane have capitalised on the penalty! Ben Te'o has got through again.. for his second. Wallace has converted it!
18 all
73 min: Oh dear.. knocked on from Ben Hunt. Melbourne on the attack again.
74 min: FIELD GOAL
Cronk much like in origin.. 20 metres out.. slots it. 19-18 Melbourne.
Melbourne Storm 19-18
77 min: Smith is through but knocked on by his support. Broncos have a chance.
80 min: Brisbane try the chip and chase but no result. FULLTIME.