Storm hammer Raiders rabble

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Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders

Melbourne have bagged a big 44-10 win at home against a Raiders side lacking in discipline and composure at AAMI Park.

The greasy conditions caused by intermittent light showers seemed to have a vastly more severe impact on the Raiders than the Storm all match.

Cameron Smith got the scoring underway after just 2 minutes when he kicked a penalty goal. Just five minutes later, Smith ran left from dummy half and then passed back inside to Slater, who ran right and then got a pass over the top to the unmarked Kaufusi, who scored the easiest try of his career. Smith converted.

Ten minutes later the Storm scored again after receiving a ton of possession from Raiders infringements and turnovers. Munster propped, straightened and then forced his way over the line to score under the dot. Smith again added the extras.

Just inside the half hour mark, the Raiders got on the board when Soliola, playing at right centre, received a crash ball and barged over for a strong try in the corner. Williams couldn't convert from touch.

The Storm hit back immediately after when Hughes managed to evade a tackle by Leilua, then threw a long ball to the unmarked Vunivalu who then ran into the oncoming cover defence and scored in the right corner. Smith's sideline attempt was waved away.

Right on halftime, the Storm went to their left side where Scott got outside his defender and hit the gap between Soliola and Abbey to score in the corner. Smith converted.

The Storm stepped up a gear to start the second half, opening with a try after just three minutes. Slater grubbered to the left corner and Cotric fumbled it between his legs. Addo Carr pounced on the loose ball to score. Smith converted.

Twelve minutes later the Raiders scored thanks to a barnstorming effort by Leilua. He picked up a stray pass and smashed through four defenders to score a great, strong try besides the left upright. Williams added the extras.

Any chance of a Raiders fightback though were snuffed out just a few minutes later when big Asofa-Solomona ran through Tapine and Austin to score to the left of the posts. Smith slotted the easy conversion.

From the restart the Storm advanced to halfway before Munster grubbered through the Raiders line. Addo-Carr regathered, drew the fullback and then sent Scott over for a good try. Smith again converted.

5 minutes later Smith kicked a penalty goal.

Rapana was sent to the bin with just 3 minutes left on the clock, but the Storm couldn't make any use of the extra man.

Next week the Storm face a big test against fellow table-toppers South Sydney at ANZ Stadium, while the Raiders season continues to wind down with an away trip to Penrith.