The Newcastle Knights have been humbled at home for the second time in as many weeks, losing 50 points to 2 at the hands of the well oiled machine that is the Melbourne Storm.
The game couldn't have started any worse for the Novocastrians, with Jake Clifford kicking off out on the full to hand the Storm excellent field position straight away. They took full advantage, with Harry Grant scooting from dummy half before linking up with Justin Olam, who was too strong and determined for the Knights defence.
The Storm marched down the field with ease in the next set, which ended with a Melbourne penalty as an Edrick Lee knock on was picked up by a Knights player in an offside position.
Brodie Jones knocked on in trying to gather in the Storm's kick, and the Storm scored with ease off the scrum win by swinging it left to Xavier Coates, who scored untouched.
The Knights finally touched the ball roughly 11 minutes into the game, but they couldn't do much with it as Clifford ran on the last and got caught. Off the changeover, the Storm ran it themselves on the last, with Meaney forced to put a kick in that sat up for Jahrome Hughes, who's chase was rewarded with a try.
Justin Olam would again capitalise on some soft Knights defence in the 30th minute, beating 4 players to score a very soft try and make the score 20-0.
The Storm forced a dropout a few minutes later and Xavier Coates beat the Knights cover defence with ease to score his 2nd try in the first half.
The Knights got a penalty right on half time and opted to take the 2 to make it a four score game. Clifford was successful and the score at the break was 26-2.
The Storm started the 2nd half how they finished the first: with Xavier Coates scoring an easy try, this one he basically jogged in as the Knights cover was once again non-existent.
Harry Grant had his fingerprints all over the next try, he put the original kick in and made the tackle to force the dropout, while on the ensuing set he also put in a deft kick over the top that sat up for Tepai Moeroa to score.
Five minutes later, Ponga had the ball stolen from him by Munster, who on the next set threw an outstanding cutout ball to Nick Meaney, who after stepping off his left foot was in for a try against his former club.
After the Knights made another mistake, the Storm spread the ball wide, with Nick Meaney finding open space and linking up with Munster in support, who scored the try to make it 48-2.
The Storm got a penalty right in front at the death and opted to kick the penalty goal to bring up the half century, giving the final scoreline of 50-2.
Next week, the Knights head up to Townsville to take on the Cowboys on Saturday Knight, while the Storm will host the Dragons on Sunday at 2pm.