Storm surge in Anderson’s arrival

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Sydney Roosters v Melbourne Storm

A brace of tries to debutant Grant Anderson has seen the Melbourne Storm continue a run of dominance over the Sydney Roosters with a 26-18 victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Called into the first grade side after Xavier Coates was injured in the opening State of Origin fixture, the unheralded winger enjoyed a night to remember as the Storm overcame a halftime deficit to claim their fifth consecutive win over the Tricolours before a crowd of 12,925 supporters.

Withstanding an early break from Dean Ieremia inside the opening 90 seconds, the Roosters opened the scoring through Joseph Suaalii (6th minute) after Sam Walker exposed Cameron Munster with a dummy to create space down the right edge.

Making the most of repeat attacking sets close to their opponent's try line, Anderson (15th minute) claimed his first try following a superb catch and pass from Felise Kaufusi.

Squandering an opportunity to score from the kick-off after Jahrome Hughes failed to get the ball down prior to the referee calling held, the Roosters made the visitors pay with Walker (19th minute) regathering his own grubber to establish a converted try buffer.

Taking advantage of Luke Keary being forced from the match with a HIA late in the first half, underrated centre Marion Seve (30th minute) scored his first try of the season to narrow the margin to two-points. 

The Storm continued to hold their line in the final stages of the half with Nick Meaney denying Suaalii with a remarkable try-saving effort over the line and the bunker ruling Daniel Tupou knocked on contesting a kick that fell into the arms of Joseph Manu.

Capitalising on an early opportunity to attack after James Tedesco sent the kick-off out on the full, Seve (43rd minute) put the Storm in front for the first time with his maiden career double.

Refusing to wilt in the face of Walker being temporarily forced from the field due to heavy contact from Kaufusi, the Roosters regained the lead with Manu producing a superbly weighted grubber for Sitili Tupouniua (47th minute) to pounce upon.

With the match poised to go down to the wire heading into the final quarter, Hughes stepped up with a brilliant cut-out pass to send Anderson (62nd minute) over out wide.

Surviving a late scare with Tupouniua unable to hold onto an audacious attacking kick from Walker over the try line, Kaufusi (73rd minute) showed his experience as a big game player to charge through the Roosters defence to seal the 26-18 result.

Next week, the Roosters take on the Eels at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night, while the Storm host the in-form Broncos at AAMI Park on Friday evening.