Greg Inglis dominates Canberra

Greg Inglis has scored a hat trick in Melbourne's 17-6 defeat of Canberra in Canberra tonight.

The opening twenty minutes of the contest was a feeling out period for both sides but Melbourne finally broke the deadlock with Cooper Cronk who kicked a 40/20. League Unlimited Man Of The Match Greg Inglis scored the first of his hat trick after a beautiful backline movement with Slater throwing the final ball.

Some spite crept into the game with two almost fight breaking out in either half and the second resulting in Adam Blair on report for a dangerous tackle. Mix that with some contenious calls, i.e Inglis'second try where the replay showed he was offside when the kick left the boot or boom fullback Josh Dugan being denied after a great pick up, where it was judged he knocked on.

Melbourne overall though were too strong for Canberra continuing with the carefree football we've seen over the last few weeks, with Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater combining on several chances that didn't come off. A Brett Finch field goal proved handy when Canberra hung in the game and scored their only try through winger Daniel Vidot after a tip on from Josh McCrone to make the lead seven.

Their comeback was shortlived though when Greg Inglis after a suspect pass ran down the line, kicked for himself and regathered to cap off his hat-trick and two goals in style. Melbourne ran out convincing winners 17-6. Melbourne enjoy a week off next week while Canberra face a tough away contest against the ladder leaders St George Illawarra.

Match Details
Canberra Raiders 6 were defeated by Melbourne Storm 17
National Rugby League - NRL - Round 10 - Saturday May 15, 2010 7:30pm
Venue: Canberra Stadium
Referee: Ben Cummins and Chris James
Video Referee: Phil Cooley
Touch Judges: Ricky McFarlane and Henry Perenara
Crowd: 12,165
Halftime: Canberra Raiders 0 Melbourne Storm 13

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Greg Inglis (3 Tries, 2 Conversions)
2 Points - Cooper Cronk
1 Point - Daniel Vidot (1 Try)

CANBERRA RAIDERS (6)
Tries: Daniel Vidot
Conversions: Terry Campese (1/1)

MELBOURNE STORM (17)
Tries: Greg Inglis (3)
Field Goals: Brett Finch (1/1)
Conversions: Cooper Cronk (0/1), Greg Inglis (2/2)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to a chilly Canberra Stadium for clash between the Raiders vs the Storm.
Only one change for the Raiders with Monaghan coming in for Brett Kelly but Melbourne have several changes with Luke MacDougall in place of Anthony Quinn, Brett White starting for Lima and Sika Manu returning.
In the u20's Canberra won a close encounter 32-30.
1 min: Terry Campese gets the game started tonight!
1 min: Glenn Buttriss is down in back play meanwhile Billy Slater drops it cold!
3 min: Brett Finch tries a cutout to get Luke MacDougall one on one but he can't hold on.
4 min: Canberra lose possesion after it's deemed it was passed after being called held. Melbourne get a let-off.
9 min: Inventive work by Melbourne here, Cronk tries a crossfield kick to Duffie but he can't get to it.
10 min: Dane Tilse drops a low down pass from the dummy-half, giving Melbourne a full set in their half.
12 min: Billy Slater with another uncharacteristic knock on to release the pressure.
14 min: Cooper Cronk gets Melbourne a great attacking chance with a nice 40/20.
16 min: Brett Finch is taken out as the kick is retrieved by Josh Dugan but a good defensive set by Canberra. All their work is undone though by another early error.
17 min: Josh Dugan has produced another great tackle to stop a rampaging Brett White and Melbourne try an early kick but it's defused by Monaghan.
17 min: A fight has erupted here after a high shot and a Campese push. No one is sinbinned but Raiders penalty.
19 min: A nice chip kick from Cronk to Slater who grubbers it downfield to help trap Michael Monaghan ingoal.
22 min: TRY
A beautiful backline movement by Melbourne is finished with Inglis strolling in for another try. Inglis converts his own try.
Melbourne Storm 6-0
23 min: Daniel Vidot takes a run and gets a penalty after Lima holds on for a second too long.
25 min: Slater and Cronk again combine with a grubber through the line but Josh McCrone saves Canberra but concedes the dropout.
26 min: Melbourne are continuing to attack in behind the Raiders but they get a helpful call where it's judged to be a restart when it should of been a dropout.
28 min: A second try possibly to Greg Inglis...
29 min: TRY
Greg Inglis gets his second! Daniel Vidot spills a bomb straight into Finch's hands who throw it to Inglis who scores and converts his own try again.
Melbourne Storm 12-0
30 min: Canberra get a chance to reduce the defiect after a drop ball by the Storm in their own half.
35 min: A 70 metre set by Canberra is finished with a bomb to Monaghan who bats it back and a second kick is put in and Dugan swoops on it but the video referee deems it a no try!
38 min: Canberra knock it on but Campese swears at the referee and is marched ten!
39 min: Melbourne are loving the kick across the ground, this time it's Duffie but it goes out.
40 min: FIELD GOAL
After some scrappy play on the whistle, Finch gets the ball and kicks the field goal.
Melbourne Storm 13-0
40 min: It's been all Melbourne in the first half and Canberra have a mountain to climb in the second.
41 min: Greg Inglis with his monster boot gets the second half underway.
42 min: A Canberra player is put into a dangerous position, with Adam Blair on report and another almost fight breaks out.
44 min: Raiders can't complete their sets! Forward pass from Dugan to Vidot.
45 min: Luke MacDougall can't control the ball after a beautiful kick from Cronk and Canberra get some relief.
46 min: Ryan Hinchcliffe gets penalised for a spear tackle.
47 min: Canberra try to spread it wide but they throw it forward again..
49 min: Josh Dugan can't control a bomb, firstly dropping it back then fumbles it a second time.
50 min: The Raiders jam in and dislodge the ball, saving themselves on their own line.
52 min: Canberra try a huge bomb on fifth and knock it on!
57 min: Cronk throws it inside to Slater who chips it again and traps Croker in goal.
60 min: Matt Duffie almost gets his sixth nrl try but a fellow youngster Josh Dugan saves the try.
61 min: Joel Monaghan makes a nice break and throws it inside to Croker who offloads to Dugan who kicks it into Melbourne hands.
64 min: TRY
Daniel Vidot scores for the Raiders after a nice Dugan bomb and tap on from McCrone to get on the board. Campese converts.
Melbourne Storm 13-6
67 min: Canberra show the patience of a chess champion to let that go dead.
69 min: A Melbourne knock on gives Canberra a full set at their line.
69 min: Jarrod Croker drops a cut out pass from Dugan.
70 min: Matt Duffie drops the ball with the line wide open.
71 min: High shot by Ryan Hinchcliffe gives Canberra a penalty.
72 min: Canberra get a repeat set after Melbourne knock it on trying to recover the kick.
73 min: A possible miracle try to Jarrod Croker.
74 min: No try, Croker lost it before regathering it.
75 min: Matt Duffie takes a nice bomb but is met by Joel Thompson who whack him.
76 min: A possible try to Inglis here but he may of broke his arm/wrist
77 min: TRY
Greg Inglis completes a dominant game by breaking free, kicking for himself and scoring and even may of knocked himself out but his ok. Cronk misses the conversion.
Melbourne Storm 17-6
77 min: Canberra fail at the short kick off.
78 min: Melbourne are caught on the last and a changeover to Canberra.
79 min: Joel Monaghan penalised for carrying on with it after the tackle.
80 min: Canberra get a penalty with 15 seconds to go but can't be bothered and just hit it up and end the game. Melbourne win 17-6.