FULLTIME :: Storm win a shootout.
PENALTY STORM! Natives are getting restless.
Addo-Carr knocks it down.
Gutherson tried to create something on the short side and catches a Storm player accidently offside.
Eels tried to give the ball air.. but the front rowers collide and the Storm can see this out.
PENALTY STORM! Obstruction. Clear as day. Brandon Smith has a word to Reed Mahoney and he goes off for a rest as well.
The block of cheese loses it. He tried a charging run again but fumbled it. Eels still alive.
Eels tried to throw everything at them. Went right, left but Papenhuyzen cleaned up.
PENALTY EELS! Jesse Bromwich offside. Meanwhile Cam Munster is walking OFF.
Moses with the left side kick. He raises the flags.
Shaun Lane strides across.
HANG ON.. We have a CHALLENGE. Storm saying it wasn't an obstruction. CHALLENGE UNSUCCESSFUL. Kenny Bromwich didn't retreat to behind the play the ball. PENALTY EELS!
PENALTY EELS! Kenny Bromwich caused an obstruction.
Cam Smith from the left side. Meanwhile it is a sad end to what has been a good night for Blake Ferguson. He got a leg injury trying to jam up on the defense. Back to Smith. He does it with ease.
Sound the alarm! Munster picks up the loose ball after the restart.. poked through.. found Papenhuyzen and it was as Dan Ginnane said.. GOODDDBYE.
PENALTY EELS! Gutho got cartwheeled there. Jahrome Hughes tried to chip and chase for himself and collected the fullback.
Smith from the right side. He nails it.
GREEN LIGHTS.. TRY! Brenko slammed it down.
BUNKER TIME! Storm are rolling now. Brenko Lee might have the Storm's fifth.
Smith adds the easy two.
Kenny Bromwich has been a star on the left now Jesse has a four-pointer. Deft touch from Munster on the pass.
The Fergo giveth, the Fergo taketh. He just scored to help the Eels get level then a cheeky chip from Munster caught him out.
Moses has a kick to make it level again. From the sideline, he walks in.. swings it over.
20/20 vision from Reed Mahoney! He saw the Storm defense compressed, kicked for his winger and Ferguson has a cuppa then puts the ball down.
SIX AGAIN! Eels get a restart after Moses kick thundered into a defender.
PENALTY EELS! Cam Smith called for a dangerous tackle. Brenko Lee loses it/has it knocked down. Somehow it came loose then the Storm captain was penalised.
Storm have come to play in this second half. It went left again and cracked open the Eels defense. It was switched right but Vunivalu touched the line.
Smith with a left side kick. He takes his time over it. The skipper nails it.
Storm hit the front with some slick work! The left side clicks again. Bromwich, Papenhuyzen then it finished with the Fox.
Eels get through their first set but give up a seven tackle set. Papenhuyzen catches easily.
Hope everyone caught their breath! We're back after the Storm take their time to stride out! Who will get the week off?
Eels try to inch back in front just before the break. Left side move but Browns final pass to Waqa Blake is forward. HALFTIME.
Eels roll right from the scrum and Josh Addo-Carr tries to intercept and knocks on.
Eels get lucky! Moses lofted another high, Shaun Lane bats it back to Ryan Mtaterson WHO KICKS ON ZERO TACKLE! Referee called it knock on, no advantage. Blushes spared for Matterson.
Storm almost strolled through again. Smith tried to get it out wide but it was more touchdown than a rugby league pass.
It's all flowing downstream for the Storm now. They have a quick set restart.
Smith levels us up.
Storm go bang bang! Kenny Bromwich has been good out wide, found Olam. He streaked into the backfield and positioned Papenhuyzen to stroll in.
Smith of the Cameron variety converts.
Storm finally get some reward. It came on the right. Quick hands and Vunivalu does the big swan dive for the four pointer.
PENALTY STORM! Niukore on report for a crusher. Storm are having a field day on the left.
Jennings gets suplexed and loses it.
The block of cheese with a un-brie-lievable play there just as he came on.
The Eels are dare I say it.. electrifying thus far! Quick hands got Jennings into space again. He weaved back inside and gave Moses the chance for a kick.
Moses with a wider kick this time. Same result.
Wow! Eels counter attack like they're Liverpool FC! Addo-Carr loses it. Gutherson started it, gave it to Jennings, the veteran stepped and flicked it to Ferguson. He tried to streak away but found the fullback to finish off the move.
Moses is having a field day with his kicking thus far. Another bomb is batted back from the Eels but Munster was there to claim. Storm also recieve a set restart.
Storm go right again. Brenko Lee holds off his man, tries to flick it wide but it only became a souvenir for the touchie.
Storm have monopolised the possession like it is a large Big Mac meal this month. A short kick from Hughes is touched down by Gutherson. Dropout.
PENALTY STORM! Michael Jennings catches him high.
RED LIGHTS NO TRY! It is much ado about nothing in the end. Bromwich was onside. Contact was incidental. Kenny Bromwich knocks on.
BUNKER TIME! It is all happening. Storm again slice through on the left. The Fox shows some toe and Kenny Bromwich might have scored.. or been interfered with.
Sivo is gone. Will Smith enters the game. PENALTY STORM! Breaking early from the scrum.
There was some contact in that play! Paulo tried to throw it back inside but fumbles it.
PENALTY EELS! Offside. Eels get some respite.
Another snatch! Munster like a thief in the night. Storm threw some good stuff at them including a charging Munster but Gutherson is there to clean up.
Time off again. Eels tryscoring weapon Maika Sivo is down, clutching at a lower limb. He is being tested and it isn't looking good for the fan favourite. It would be a big blow if he is ruled out. He's getting strapped and will play on.
That was better from the Storm. Papenhuyzen attacks the left to Bromwich. He found the flying Fox who can't interchange back inside. Eels get a let-off.
OLAM! This game has started at a frenetic pace. Mahoney poked through the line, found Gutherson who tried to weave through. He is taken down and Olam snatched it. Storm right on the attack.
Storm have their first sniff of the red zone but go the powerplay to Felise Kaufusi who is well handled.
Moses isn't parting the seas but he has brought the rain with these early bombs. Storm having to ruck it out until a PENALTY. Smith kicks his side over halfway.
Eels fans I know you are gripping your drink, keyboard or seat. Here is a good stat for you. Eels have won 13/14 when they have scored first. The only loss was to that known powerhouse St George Illawarra.
Moses quickly converts.
GREEN LIGHTS.. TRY! Contest is cleared. Jahrome Hughes dropped it and man on the spot.. Nathan Brown is off the nudie run in the finals.
BUNKER TIME! Hang on then.. Eels might have scored first. Ashley Klein calls it a four-pointer. Checking contest.
The Eels with some strong defence and it had to be the Mahoney! He charges down the kick and Moses got onto the ball. The visitors have the first attack.
Settle in and time for more finals football! KICK-OFF is go!
Eels hit the Suncorp turf first. The weight of 34 years of expectation on their shoulders from the Blue and Gold army watching both in the stadium and back in Sydney. The Storm with some gamesmanship, stalling in the sheds, one of rugby league's true dynasties. They have a tremendous record in the Sunshine state - 19 out of 23 at Suncorp and the purple horde roll onto the ground ready for action!
Well! What a weekend it has been thus far! Four games split between the NRL and NRLW competition which has seen some fabulous performances and plenty of points. Now, we head for the only time this weekend north of the border, to Suncorp. The Sunshine Coast based Melbourne Storm host Parramatta Eels in our second qualifying final. Winner gets a weekend off, loser faces the winner of Rabbitohs/Knights. Strap in and as Andrew Voss says - let's have some fun.
Referees & scorers:
Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judges: Dave Munro, Peter Gough
Video Referee: Steve Chiddy
MELBOURNE STORM (36)
Tries: Suliasi Vunivalu, Ryan Papenhuyzen (2), Josh Addo-Carr, Jesse Bromwich, Brenko Lee
Field Goals:
Conversions: Cameron Smith (6/6)
Penalty Goals:
PARRAMATTA EELS (24)
Tries: Nathan Brown, Clinton Gutherson, Blake Ferguson, Shaun Lane
Field Goals:
Conversions: Mitchell Moses (4/4)
Penalty Goals: