The Ryan Papenhuyzen show was on full display for the 17,000 fans at AAMI Park when the Melbourne Storm shook off last week's loss with a 64-0 demolition of the Wests Tigers.
The signs of disaster were on the cards for the Tigers in just the third minute when Ryan Papenhuyzen was able to create a try out of nothing when the Storm initially kicked across field for Coates which was meek but then keeping the ball alive, the Melbournians were able to spread the ball and an initial average grubber kick from Papenuyzen was kept alive by the Storm fullback who chased through for his first try.
It was a Papenhuyzen show at AAMI Park inside the first twenty minutes as the Melbourne fullback kept his name on the cards for an origin call-up as he was able to seal a hattrick inside that period when the Storm shift caught the Tigers napping and then going straight through the middle.
The second and third tries were split but a spilt opportunity for the Tigers when with the line open, Sunia Turuva knocked on when trying to pick up the bouncing pass and blew what was probably the only chance of the half for the Wests Tigers.
A purple procession continued at AAMI Park for the Storm as Josh King then went over after Xavier Coates was able to get the ball backwards and the shift back to the middle, allowed Josh King to go in under the posts. The bunker needed a long time to confirm the play but once it was cleared and Papenhuyzen converted the Storm lead 22-0.
Jahrome Hughes added his name to the scoresheet just shy of the half-hour mark when somehow he was able to push through three defenders to get the ball to the line. The Purple surge continued in the 33rd minute as Nick Meaney scooped up a loose pass from the Tigers and had a free run to the line.
The 34-0 lead at the halftime break wasn't a sign that Melbourne were going to take their foot off the pedal as the Tigers created the first attacking opportunity but it was the Storm who still managed to get on the board. The first try of the second half for the Storm was the fourth to Ryan Papenhuyzen when the Storm connected down the short side before linking back to Paps for another one.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona was like a battering ram for the next Melbourne try when he barged over from close range to add his name onto the scoresheet. The Storm chalked up 50 points for the game when Eli Katoa scored just on the stroke of the hour mark.
It was a rare 8 minute stage without points for the Storm as Jahrome Hughes and Cam Munster combined with the Storm five-eighth putting his name on the scoresheet. Melbourne then capped off the scoring inside five minutes with a side of Garlick topping off the score sheet to go to a 64-0 lead.
Next week, the Storm head to Shark Park on Saturday night against Cronulla whilst the Tigers will need to buck up their ideas as they head to Campbelltown for a clash against Souths.