The New Zealand Warriors have ended a 17-match losing streak against the Melbourne Storm with one of the most dominant performances in the club's history.
Running out 38-14 victors to claim their first win over the Storm since 2015, and first at AAMI Park since 2014, the Warriors physically bullied the hosts in a display that left the crowd of 26,467 supporters stunned.
An early penalty goal to Nick Meaney provided the hosts with a lead that lasted mere minutes as the visiting Warriors focussed their attack on the right edge with recalled centre Ali Leiataua (10th minute) and second-rower Marata Niukore (15th minute) charging over for a 12-2 advantage.
Having been exposed in defence minutes earlier, Cooper Clarke (17th minute) was quick to make amends with a powerful carry which saw the exciting rookie spin his way over for his first NRL try, while Jack Howarth (23rd minute) reaped the rewards of an exciting passage of second-phase play to put the Storm back in front following Meaney's sideline conversion.
Ill-discipline proved costly for the Storm and the Warriors were only too eager to capitalise when a cut-out pass from Tanah Boyd bounced across the field into the waiting arms of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (31st minute) in a moment evoking memories of Steven Bradbury.
A penalty goal as the halftime siren sounded extended the Warriors' lead to 18-14 at the change of ends.
Beginning the second half with even greater enthusiasm than the first, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (43rd minute), Jackson Ford (47th minute) and Watene-Zelezniak (52nd minute) struck in quick succession to leave the Storm rattled beyond recognition.
Pushing their lead to four converted tries following a penalty goal to Boyd, the Warriors continued to assert their dominance without the football, culminating in a bruising shot by Chanel Harris-Tavita on Josh King that sparked a fracas with the result beyond doubt.
The Warriors rounded out their biggest ever win over the Storm with an inspirational effort from Tuivasa-Sheck to deny Will Warbrick close to the try line, while the Storm were left to lament the bleak reality of losing four straight matches for the fourth time during Craig Bellamy's tenure and only the seventh time in the club's history.
Next week, the Storm will travel to the nation's capital for a Friday night clash with the Raiders, while the Warriors will host the Titans on Saturday afternoon in Auckland.