FULL TIME - The Storm rack up the half century as they run away 50-10 victors over the Warriors. An improved second half from the New Zealand club but it didn't stop Melbourne from putting a serious dent in their for-and-against. Full wrap to come. Thanks for joining us!
No problems for Smith and the Storm have a half century.
Cameron Munster breaks through the middle and puts Sam Kasiano through a hole. Kasiano offloads for Billy Slater who puts Jacks over for his second. The pass almost looked forward and Slater actually could have scored himself but nevertheless the try is given. The kick to come for 50.
Yet the Warriors can't take advantage with Isaiah Papalii dropping the ball on the 30 metre mark.
Very nice kick from Lino who forces Slater to take the ball dead. Warriors with a full set to come.
Penalty Warriors and they begin their set 30 out from the Melbourne line.
The Warriors have shown much more energy in the second half and a towering bomb sees Young Tonumaipea trapped 10 out from his own line. Some great defensive pressure sees Stephen Kearney's men restrict Melbourne to just 40 metres off the set and Munster sends it out of play 40 out from the NZ line. A massive contrast to the first half when Melbourne were making metres at will and scoring length of the field tries.
No problems for Cam Smith from the sideline.
The Storm now get a rare chance within the Warriors 20 in this half after Anthony Gelling couldn't clean up a loose ball. They have a full set 20 out from the NZ line. Billy Slater shows great vision to put Josh Addo-carr over off a bullet-like ball.
No luck for Lino this time.
The Warriors get lucky now after a Melbourne touch is ruled off a scrappy bomb on the last and they gain a full set 20 out from the Storm line. Melbourne, however, are stepping up in defence and they deny Ken Maumalo in the corner after he almost crossed over off a Anthony Gelling offload. The Warriors now explore the right side and David Fusitua goes over for a near identical try to the first! Warriors lead the second half 10 points to 0!
He will hobble off with Christian Welch to come on and replace him.
Play stopped with Curtis Scott down with a possible ankle injury.
Adam Blair offloads for Jazz Tevaga but it puts him under immediate pressure and he can't handle it. The second forty has been a lot less exciting.
The bomb on the last is batted forward by Josh Addo-carr and the Warriors get another set on Melbourne's line. They have had the majority of the ball early but need to convert it into more points.
Cameron Smith grubbers infield on the last after a strong set from Melbourne but it goes dead.
Melbourne concede another penalty and an official warning is given. The Warriors aren't going anywhere and Mason Lino drops the ball in a strong tackle.
The Warriors are going sideways in this set but force a goal line drop out on the last and have a full set to come.
NZ gain another penalty now for offside! This one against Munster! Storm scrambling well at the moment but the Warriors look dangerous.
Cameron Smith is penalised for lying in the play the ball area. Full set again 10 out.
RTS dances through and finds Anthony Gelling in support who is taken just short of the line. They spread it and kick but the Storm just survive. But they have to weather the storm again now as Munster drops the ball 10 out. Poor start Storm!
A beauty from the sideline.
A nicely executed spread to the right side sees Fusitua overcome the push from Slater to plant the ball in the corner!
THE WARRIORS MAY HAVE SCORED!
No early try for the Storm here with the Warriors fielding the grubber on the fourth. NZ respond with a controlled set which ends with Melbourne packing a scrum on their own 30. Cameron Munster tries to offload on halfway but loses it. NZ into halfway on their first.
A poor set to open from NZ and Billy Slater brings it back to his own 40 on the first. Melbourne are already in the NZ half on the second. Can they open the second forty in the same way they finished the first?
Second half underway! Can the Warriors come back and win? (Just for the laughs)
HALF TIME - The Storm have stunned everyone with a simply perfect first half display and lead the Warriors 38-0. This game is over but it will be interesting to see how far the Melbourne outfit can go. Can they hit 50 or even 60? Find out in the second half.
No problems and it is a 38-0 lead. Can they maintain the rage in the second forty?
The Warriors make a mistake coming out of their own end and the Storm are on the attack again. They look more likely attacking far from their own line. Sam Kasiano takes the line on and offloads and it goes straight to the Warriors but a late call again see the Storm grab a penalty for offside. They will opt for two to the disappointment of the AAMI Park faithful.
A rare wrap for the Warriors. Will Chambers drops the ball on the spread on the last and the Warriors survive after defending well.
Sam Kasiano explores the right side on halfway and drops it. It looked like a strip but play on is ruled BUT now they call it back for a penalty. Very late ruling. Storm 10 out. You'd back them in here.
FROM THE SIDELINE! 36-0 with 7 minutes remaining in the first half.
PURE SPEED! Addo-Carr breaks through three tackles running out of dummy-half within his own 30 and then outpaces RTS to score in the corner! WOW!
The Warriors explore the left edge but Anthony Gelling drops it... Melbourne working it out of their own end.
Simon Mannering pops an offload to Jazz Tevaga who can't handle it. But the Storm are ruled to have played at it - Ryan Hoffman the one pinned. NZ with a full set 40 out.
Melbourne making easy metres right now but Will Chambers makes an error and Stephen Kearney lets out a MASSIVE sigh of relief.
It is just that kind of night. Nails it from the sideline.
Felise Kaufusi breaks down the right edge after getting past Anthony Gelling and Blake Green and finds Young Tonumaipea in support who goes over in the corner! This is getting embarrassing.
Smith adds to his tally.
UNSTOPPABLE! Curtis Scott bursts through on the left edge and links with Josh Addo-carr out wide who finds Billy Slater in support! 22-0!
No problems for Smith who has 3/3.
Short ball from Cameron Munster to Christian Welch and he strolls through after powering past Simon Mannering! Too easy!
Bunty Afoa and Isaiah Papalii are pinned for holding down Cameron Smith too long and the Storm receive another penalty and are 40 out from the NZ line. This is ominous for the Warriors.
He nails it!
Melbourne earn their first penalty of the night for offside and Smith finds touch 40 out from the NZ line. Ryan Hoffman works his way past the 30 before a spread right sees Cameron Munster go short to Nelson Asofa-Solomona who surges to the 10 metre mark. Cam Munster grubbers on the fourth for the left corner. David Fusitua can't handle it and it sits up for Ryan Hoffman who takes it and scores!
NZ earn another penalty now working it out of their own end after the clearing kick from Melbourne. Ryley Jacks was the culprit after being pinned for slowing the play the ball down. NZ kick off their set 40 out. Adam Blair takes it up and looks for an offload but fumbles it.
Roger Tuivasa-sheck almost goes over and would have scored if he reached out but he would have been pinned for a double movement so he pulls up a metre short of the line. Blake Green goes short to Agnatius Paasi who works his way towards the line and is pulled up just shy! The pass over the top on the next tackle is taken by Josh Addo-carr and the Storm survive.
An offload sees Issac Luke burst through the middle and NZ earn a penalty after Luke was held down too long in the tackle. They get a full set 30 out from the Storm line.
The Storm now explore the right side on the fourth and Will Chambers puts a deft grubber through. He is shouldered away from the ball well and the Warriors clean it up and make their way past halfway on the fourth through Mason Lino. Blake Green kicks on the last for Billy Slater who brings it back to his own 20. Melbourne working their way out from their own end now. Cameron Munster bombs on the last within the NZ half but the chase isn't strong and RTS takes it.
No worries for the skipper.
WHAT A TRY! Billy Slater puts in a cross field kick on the last for Young Tonumaipea who takes it and calmly grubber infield for Ryley Jacks who take it and scores! Perfect execution!
The storm receive off the kick-off. Christian Welch and Felise Kaufusi take the opening charges. Nelson Asofa-Solomona works it past the 30 on the third. A spread right sees Will Chambers taken just shy of halfway. Ryley Jacks kicks on the last and Ken Maumalo is able to take it quite easily. NZ work it out from their own end with a strong run by Agnatius Paasi seeing Mason Lino kick on the last on halfway but Josh Addo-carr catches it.
Kick-off in approximately five minutes time after the ANZAC ceremony concludes...
LATE MAIL: For the home side, Young Tonumaipea is a late inclusion for Suliasi Vunivalu. Christian Welch will start the match with Kenny Bromwich dropping back to the bench. Jesse Bromwich (knee) is out with Tim Glasby moving to prop, Kenny Bromwich starting at lock and Joe Stimson joining the interchange. The Warriors have a few forced changes with Tohu Harris (concussion) joining Shaun Johnson (groin) on the sidelines. Isaiah Papali'i replaces Harris.
Referees & scorers:
Referee: Gerard Sutton, Chris Sutton
Touch Judges: Brett Suttor, Kasey Badger
Video Referee: Steve Chiddy, Ben Galea
MELBOURNE STORM (50)
Tries: Ryley Jacks (2), Ryan Hoffman, Christian Welch, Billy Slater, Young Tonumaipea, Josh Addo-carr (2)
Field Goals:
Conversions: Cameron Smith (8/8)
Penalty Goals: Cameron Smith (1/1)
WARRIORS (10)
Tries: David Fusitua (2)
Field Goals:
Conversions: Mason Lino (1/2)
Penalty Goals: