Storm bash Eels into submission

Stephen Kearney's Eels travelled south for a master vs apprentice game at AAMI Park where Bellamy's boys proved too good for the visitors, with the Storm smashing the Eels 38 nil.

The game started with defensive intensity with both sides bruising each other in a game with plenty of feeling between 2009's grand finalists. A great solo effort from Cooper Cronk opened the scoring for the homeside in the 5th minute.

Melbourne continued to prove too good for Parramatta in the first half with all the scoring coming against them despite solid defensive displays from Parramatta's backrow.

Storm were too good crossing three more times before half time with a try to Adam Blair and two to Beau Champion. Cameron Smith finished the half with 3 from 4 off the boot to give Storm a 22 nil lead going into the break.

Parramatta returned from the shed with a lot more interest in the second half. But even some strong defence and a heavy work rate by Nathan Hindmarsh was not enough to keep the Storm out in the 52nd minutes when some clever second phase play from Cooper Cronk put Anthony Quinn over but unsuccessful conversion from captain Cameron Smith kept the score to 26-0.

Melbourne continued to dominate in the second half but the Eels defence held until the 68th minute when a quick play the ball and some fancy footwork from Billy Slater allowed him to score in the corner. From right in front Cameron Smith made no mistakes with the conversion and Storm were ahead 32-0.

A late consolation try to Parramatta was denied by Video Ref Sean Hampstead in the 72nd minute and 4 minutes later when a neat pass from Billy Slater put Matthew Duffie over. Gareth Widdop converted with Smith off the field to put Melbourne ahead 38 nil.

The Melbourne Storm again proved they would be a force to be reckoned with in the 2011 following the disappointment of salary cap scandal of 2010. Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk were all brilliant and were backed up well by their team mates. They were beautiful to watch and are looking very strong.

For the Eels there are some worrying signs for Coach Stephen Kearney. They have very little to offer in attack and there is far too much pressure on star players Jarred Hayne and Nathan Hindmarsh to bail the team out of trouble.

Match Details
Melbourne Storm 38 defeated Parramatta Eels 0
National Rugby League - Round 5 (Heritage Round) - Sunday April 10, 2011 2:00pm
Venue: AAMI Park
Referee: Tony Archer and Alan Shortall
Video Referee: Sean Hampstead
Touch Judges: Jeff Younis and Adam Reid
Crowd: 11,805
Halftime: Melbourne Storm 22 Parramatta Eels 0

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Cooper Cronk (1 Try)
2 Points - Billy Slater (1 Try)
1 Point - Cameron Smith (4 Conversions)

MELBOURNE STORM (38)
Tries: Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater, Beau Champion (2), Adam Blair, Anthony Quinn, Matt Duffie
Conversions: Cameron Smith (4/6), Gareth Widdop (1/1)

PARRAMATTA EELS (0)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary It's HERITAGE ROUND - both teams will be wearing retro strips from years gone by:

v

Good Afternoon and welcome to AAMI Park for Men of League's Heritage Round clash between the Melbourne Storm and the Parramatta Eels. Melbourne took out the Toyota Cup match 22 - 16.
TEAM NEWS: The Storm have just the one chanve, Justin O'Neill is out and will be replaced by Anthony Quinn. The visitors have several late changes with Etu Uisele, Casey McGuire and Carl Webb all out, the backline will welcome two debutants with Ben Smith moving to the bench, Jordan Atkins moves into the vacated cenre position and Jacob Loko moves onto the wing. Anthony Mitchell moves into starting hooker and the Eels bench will be Ben Smith, Mitchell Allgood, FuiFui MoiMoi and another debutant in Billy Rogers.
1 min: Burt kicks off and we are underway.
2 min: Bruising defence from both sides in these early stages.
2 min: Mortimer puts in a good boot forces Slater to play the ball only a couple of metres out from his line.
3 min: Eels making good yardage coming off their line, but haven't managed any real attacking position.
4 min: PENALTY to Melbourne, should put them in good field position to start the set.
7 min: TRY
TRY to the Storm. Great individual effort from Cooper Cronk, dummies left foot step and carries three defenders over the line to score. Conversion from Cameron Smith takes a while but eventually converts it.
Melbourne Storm 6-0
8 min: PENALTY to Parramatta on their line after an aerial contest.
10 min: Hayne puts a high bomb in which Slater eventually fields and makes a half break, Storm surging in this set.
11 min: Cronk been peppering Atkins on debut in the air but he has been equal to it.
13 min: Both teams taking it to each other here, great defence from both sides is keeping the scoring plays out.
14 min: First 20 metre restart of the afternoon goes to the Storm.
15 min: PEALTY to the Storm, chance to go right on the attack for Melbourne here who will begin the set on the Parramatta 20.
17 min: TRY
TRY to the Storm. Adam Blair charges over the line to score. Conversion from Smith successful.
Melbourne Storm 12-0
18 min: Attempted intercept from Parramatta ruled a knock on and Storm get a scrum.
19 min: Champion knocks on off the back of the scrum to hand the ball over to Parramatta, as the rains come out.
21 min: Billy Slater trapped in goal and Eels earn a line drop out after a good set.
22 min: PENALTY to Parramatta right on Melbourne's goal line. Great opportunity for the Eels to get some points on the board here.
VIDEO REFEREE for a possible Eels TRY.
23 min: NO TRY, Lasalo ruled not to have grounded the ball.
25 min: End to end stuff following the no try. Defence doing great work here.
26 min: Storm go on a raid, but Slater can't get hands to it in goal and Eels get a 20 metre restart.
27 min: Eels almost score at the other end, but Hayne juggles it and can't touch down.
27 min: Hayne limping after getting hit by Quinn in his attempt to score.
28 min: PENALTY to Parramatta to put them onto the attack here.
29 min: Attack comes to nothing as Hayne appears to be struggling a little here.
29 min: Smith's boot brought back to about halfway.
30 min: Eels knock on to hand the ball over to the homeside.
32 min: TRY
TRY to the Storm. Great kick from Cronk, Slater in the air taps the ball back to proctor who gets it on to Champion to score. Conversion from Cameron Smith successful.
Melbourne Storm 18-0
33 min: Storm kickers now targetting Hayne who still appears to be in a bit of pain.
34 min: Eels looking tired here, holding out for the interval.
35 min: PENALTY to the Storm, giving them a good opportunity to go on the attack.
36 min: Bromwich knocks on to let Parramatta off the hook.
36 min: Rogers knocks on 11 metres out from the Eels line to invite the Storm to score again before the interval.
VIDEO REFEREE for a possible Melbourne TRY.
39 min: TRY
TRY to the Storm. Cooper Cronk puts Beau Champion in to score his second, using the slippery conditions to help him get over the line. Conversion from Smith unsuccessful.
Melbourne Storm 22-0
40 min: The hooter blows and that will be the half.
41 min: Archer's whistle blows ans Cameron Smith's boot kicks the second half into play.
41 min: High kick from Jarry Hayne well chased.
42 min: Atkins almost scores on debut, but can't ground it and Storm get the ball back.
43 min: Good set and good kick from Melbourne, force Eels to play it from deep in their territory.
44 min: Hayne's boot goes staright down Slater's throat but a strong chase from Robson stops him.
45 min: Cronk chips over the top, Atkins takes it but is trappeed in goal to force the line drop out.
46 min: Duffie crushed in a tackle and pushed into touch, to earn the Eels a scrum.
47 min: Atkins kicks the ball through, covered by Slater who is away but stopped about ten out from halfway.
48 min: Neilson makes a halfbreak and Melbourne are right on the attack.
49 min: Ball punched dead in goal by Atkins and Storm get another line drop out.
52 min: TRY
TRY to the Storm. Cooper Cronk lays it on to put Quinn in the corner to score. Conversion from Smith unsuccessful.
Melbourne Storm 26-0
53 min: Eels given the ball off Smith's boot about ten out from halfway.
54 min: Loko bundled into touch 12 metres out from the Melbourne goal line.
55 min: Stronger boot from Smith this time forces Hayne to take it out from his in goal.
56 min: Billy Slater fields a Hayne boot easily and runs away with it.
57 min: Storm surging at Parramatta earn anoher line dropout after Atkins grounds the ball in his own goal.
58 min: Eels get some possession on their goalline diving on a Widdop grubber about 5 out.
58 min: Forward pass from Jarryd Hayne about 20 metres out from his own goal line.
VIDEO REFEREE for a possible Melbourne TRY.
60 min: NO TRY. A great tackle from Reddy on the goal line denies Quinn his second.
61 min: Hayne again gets a ball straight down the throat of Slater.
62 min: Parramatta with possession 15 short of the halfway line.
63 min: Nathan Hindmarsh kicks the ball on the last tackle for Parramatta, this boot doesn't go straight to Slater.
64 min: Storm get six again 5 metres out from the Parramatta goal line.
66 min: TRY
TRY to the Storm. Quick play the ball and Slater with some fancy footwork goes in to score. Cameron Smith conversion successful.
Melbourne Storm 32-0
67 min: PENALTY against Parramatta for a high tackle.
69 min: Smith dribbles the ball in goal, Reddy has to play at it and another line drop out.
70 min: Smith kicks the ball through, but Widdop loses control of it on the goal line and Eels get a 20 metre restart.
71 min: PENALTY against the Storm, 21 metres out from the Melbourne goal line, chance for Parramatta to get some consolation points.
VIDEO REFEREE for a possible Eels TRY.
72 min: NO TRY, and a goal line drop out, Parramatta's first of the afternoon.
73 min: Loko loses the ball at the goal line to butcher a try.
74 min: Hayne looked to be cleaning up, but drops it in his run.
76 min: TRY
TRY to the Storm. Slater puts Duffie in to score. Widdop takes the conversion with Smith off the field and nails it.
Melbourne Storm 38-0
78 min: PENALTY against Parramatta, inviting Melbourne to have another attempt at the Parramatta line.
79 min: Forward pass from Melbourne negates further embarassment for the Eels.
80 min: MoiMoi chips and chases before the hooter blows, Melbourne taking the game 38 nil.