The Melbourne Storm have defeated the Sydney Roosters 28-8 in an entertaining if error-plentiful match to open round six Easter footy action at AAMI Park this Thursday night.
In heavy rain, the game started much the way it would go for all eighty minutes. An error from Jaxson Paulo in just the second hit up of the game for the Roosters gifted Melbourne a dream early opportunity to take a crack at their opposition's line. The first ten minutes was dominated by Melbourne, but the Roosters defended admirably, and set after set the Storm found themselves held out yet again.
The Roosters would be rewarded for their defensive efforts with the opening points of the night in the 13th minute. Foraying into their attacking half for the first time in the match thanks to a penalty followed by a six again call, former Storm player Brandon Smith earned his side a repeat set. It was then great hands from Walker and Smith again which saw Jaxson Paulo cross untouched on the right edge for the Roosters.
But it wouldn't be long until Melbourne struck back. This time it was Daniel Tupou who coughed it up while working it out of the Roosters' territory, and the Storm finally managed to take advantage of a scoring opportunity. Xavier Coates crossed in the 18th minute thanks to some quick hands, slick offloads, and skillful footwork in a brilliant team try. Meaney bounced the conversion in off the upright to level the scores at six apiece.
The subsequent Roosters kick-off to restart play was not a simple matter at all. With no Melbourne player reaching it on the full, the ball bounced high and was looking destined to go dead in-goal. Jahrome Hughes desperately attempted to keep it in, and in doing so intentionally knocked the ball forward and incurred a penalty against Melbourne. Sam Walker slotted the two points to give his side the lead back.
The final ten minutes of the first half saw Melbourne begin to stamp their dominance on the clash. The 29th minute saw a Munster kick expertly taken by Nick Meaney over the tryline to give the Storm the lead back, before Meaney converted his own try to extend it. Cameron Munster crossed for one of his own just a few minutes before the break thanks to a midfield linebreak, and the conversion brought the half time score to 18-8 Melbourne's way.
Melbourne started the second half as they had ended the first - with points. Coates crossed to secure a double in the 45th minute, another try thanks to a Munster kick. Just five minutes later, Coates would make it a hat trick, nailing a tricky grounding off a Justin Olam grubber. With the scoreline now reading 26-8, the game was very quickly slipping out of the Roosters grasp.
Melbourne would continue to dominate field position and possession in the final half hour, but received little reward for it. A penalty goal in the 65th minute slotted by Cameron Munster (with Meaney off for a HIA, which he would go on to pass) were the final points of the 80 minutes. The final score of 28-8 is a well-deserved victory for a Melbourne side who should never be underestimated.
Both teams face tough encounters next weekend, with Melbourne facing Manly and Sydney facing Cronulla both on Friday night. The Sydney Roosters will be eager to get that performance out of their systems, and the best way to do that is to ambush the Sharks in Cronulla. Melbourne meanwhile have snuck out to a three game winning streak, and they'll be confident of making it four against Manly.