Storm had a final chance to find some points but Papenhuyzen is taken over the sideline.
Clever kick from Cooper Johns almost finds Papenhuyzen in stride but it is ripped free by Jennings. CHALLENGE from the Eels. UNSUCCESSFUL. It will remain a dropout.
SIX MORE for the Storm as they aim to find some consolation.
Asofa-Solomona tries to play it quick. Called knock on. CHALLENGE. Knock on came from Brandon Smith anyways. UNSUCCESSFUL.
The ball pinballs between the two sides and Jennings loses it on the counter.
Storm have to produce something quickly but despite a six-again, Bromwich is caught on last.
Eels are trying to find the knockout blow here and Jennings can't handle.
Hynes has been bright since coming on but tried to kick on the run and goes out on the full.
Eels are trying to force a four-pointer to Ferguson but that tap on was off.
Eels went length of the field there. Realised they had the overlap on the edge. Dylan Brown skipped down the wing and tried to position Gutherson who was reeled in. Eels stretched the defense and forced another dropout.
That was probably the best piece of play from the Storm tonight. Nico Hynes has given them a spark. He had two, three touches in that set and almost sent Addo-Car in. The last pass was forward.
RED LIGHTS.. NO TRY! Jennings lost it trying to smash it down. Big cover defense from Brandon Smith.
BUNKER TIME! Michael Jennings might have crossed. Check grounding.
Moses puts them ahead by 14.
PENALTY EELS! Strip. Eels opt for the two.
Much better set from the Eels as they worked it wide. They then turned it back inside and almost cracked the Storm. Gutherson puts through a kick that traps Addo-Carr.
Eels tried get too fancy on this set. So many offloads and then Oregon Kaufusi knocks on.
It was reviewed and Nelson Asofa-Solomona is sent to the SIN BIN.
PENALTY EELS! High shot on Briton Niukora. First from Christian Welch then Nelson Asofa-Solomona got him with his shoulder.
PENALTY EELS! Gutherson was called held.. and then he got thrown in-goal. Easy call.
Storm persist down the left again but Olam knocks on.
Storm found their rhythm then. Some chain passing on the left put Addo-Carr into space. Next tackle, Nico Hynes. fresh on the field for Ryley Jacks trapped Ferguson in-goal.
It's been all action to start the second half! Storm had a chance on the left but it broke down. Ryan Matterson slices through but his pass was low. Storm with it again.
Storm go for the powerplay on last and Papenhuyzen is caught.
We're back for the second half. Eels up by a dozen and look to put last week's performance behind him. Storm kick-off and here we go.
HALFTIME! Storm throw one more shot down the right edge but Earl's kick is thumped into touch from Dylan Brown. It has been willing but the Eels have that extra touch of class and lead 12-nil.
Storm get their second set restart but the set came to naught after a short Olam kick.
Toughest kick of the night for Moses. Right on the left touchline, hooks it.
Scrum play and the Eels make it 12-nil.
Addo-Car knocked it on. Eels have a chance to really stamp on them here.
SET RESTART for the Storm now. Eels tried to get too enthusiastic.
PENALTY EELS! It is deja vu again. Another crusher. Albert Vete on report this time.
PENALTY EELS! Cooper Johns on report for a crusher on Maika Sivo.
That was pre-meditated. Eels got it back from an early kick and Ferguson eyed off the tryline but he was swarmed by the retreating Storm defense. It went left again and turned back right where Evans lost it.
That was some breathless rugby league. Moses kicks for the wing of Ferguson again but his tap back bounces to Nathan Brown quickly shuttled to Moses again who tries to give Sivo room to run. It is changed over.
It took 27 minutes but we have heard the bell ring. It has been a fast paced game and the Storm were pinged for a ruck infringement.
Storm try to fight back with a move of their own. Branko Lee got himself some space and flicked it out to Felise Kaufusi.
That was a not gouda play from the Cheese for the Storm. He spied a gap near the line and tried to barge over. It came free and he was caught by the defenders. Changeover.
Both sides have wanted to throw the ball tonight. Shaun Lane rockets one back to the young hooker who can't handle the ball.
Mid-range kick for Moses to make it 8-nil. He studies the kick, strides in and kicks it.
Eels strike quickly! Some quick passing on the right and Waqa Blake steps across. All started from Gutherson taking it to the line.
PENALTY EELS! Offside. There was a forward tip-on from the Eels in the middle but there was an offside before that. Full set coming in attack for the Eels.
He raises the flags after all that commotion.
Eels opt to shoot for two. Moses will kick.
Much more slick and crisp passing from the Eels that set. Went left to right and Lane almost cut through. On last, Moses kicks high but a wonderful catch from Papenhuyzen who is clipped in the air. CHALLENGE from the Eels. SUCCESSFUL. Escort. PENALTY Eels.
Low pass and Cooper Johns couldn't pick it up from his shoelaces. Storm are having some fun on the left side but some clunky passing let them down.
PENALTY STORM! Advantage played, the whole Eels line was offside after Papenhuyzen sliced through. Tapped and gone.
Better kick that time from the Storm. Ryley Jacks stationed on the short side, lifted one and Gutherson caught well but was driven in-goal.
The Ferguson drought continues on. Gutherson tried to break the duck for the popular winger but it was flat and missed the target. Storm scrum.
Eels use the width of the field and almost crack them. The passing to the right was slightly cumbersome and Josh Addo-Carr knocked it down in trying to intercept.
Maybe not now. PENALTY Eels for the Storm line being offside.
Power set from the Storm close to the line but Tino is taken on last. Eels survive and have to ruck it out.
Eels tried to get expansive in their own end. Dylan Brown skipped outside his defender and fired one to Mitchell Moses who can't handle. Big chance for the Storm early.
Not the best first kicks from either side. Cooper Johns shanked his which let Gutherson get a running start but the Eels respond with one that goes backwards due to the kick pressure from Asofa-Solomona.
KICK-OFF! Eels kick to the northern end and Christian Welch has the first run for the Storm.
First onto the field is the Storm. Some boos rip through the crisp air in Sydney as they stomp onto the field in their white away jersey, looking to cause another upset helmed by young Cooper Johns. The home side bounds onto the field next, the Eels ready to atone for their crimes against the Dragons, they can jump over their rivals tonight with a win. Here we go!
Happy Thursday everyone! We're one day away from the weekend and it means we kick off another weekend of rugby league! Starting off, we have an interesting clash. The depleted Storm travel down to Sydney to face a chastened Eels team after their loss to the Dragons last weekend. In writing this is a top four clash but some sting has been taken out with the absences for the visitors but the question remains - can the Eels topple the bay storms (thunder clouds?) Let's find out!
Referees & scorers:
Referee: Ben Cummins
Touch Judges: Todd Smith, Chris Sutton
Video Referee: Steve Chiddy, Beau Scott
PARRAMATTA EELS (14)
Tries: Waqa Blake, Maika Sivo
Conversions: Mitchell Moses (1/2)
Penalty Goals: Mitchell Moses (2/2)
MELBOURNE STORM (0)