Defence takes a backseat as Storm hold off Knights

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Melbourne Storm v Newcastle Knights

A barrage of tries either side of halftime has paved the way for the Melbourne Storm to extend their dominant record over the Newcastle Knights with a 36-28 victory.

Posting their 11th win from 13 clashes against the Knights at AAMI Park, the Storm crossed for five tries in a 20 minute passage either side of halftime before holding off a fast-finishing Knights side. 

In a match which saw both teams make a host of positional changes prior to kick-off, Newcastle debutant Fletcher Sharpe appeared to open the scoring midway through the first 40 only for the bunker to rule the fullback lost control in attempting to score.

The Storm quickly capitalised on their good fortune through Nick Meaney (17th minute), who burnt his former club with pace to collect his 50th career try.

An uncharacteristic error inside the Melbourne half saw Jackson Hastings swoop on a loose ball and link with Dylan Lucas (21st minute) in support to lock the scores up at 6-all.

The Knights withstood multiple repeat sets on their try line and appeared to strike a major blow with Sharpe (30th minute) slicing through at the other end of the field to put the visitors in front.

Turning a six-point deficit into a six-point lead in the final moments of the first half, Jahrome Hughes (38th minute) burrowed underneath the black dot before a chip kick by Grant Anderson off the kick-off allowed Meaney (40th minute) to put the Storm ahead at the change of ends.

An error by Nelson Asofa-Solomona from the kick-off saw Lucas (41st minute) slide over for his first career double, however the joy was short-lived as Tyran Wishart (47th minute) sliced through to extend the Storm's lead beyond a converted try.

The Storm continued to keep the points flowing with Xavier Coates (54th minute) producing an airborne four-pointer and Wishart (60th minute) supporting a break by Anderson to establish a 34-16 advantage.

A try to Dane Gagai (65th minute) gave the Knights a glimmer of hope which grew into a spark when Enari Tuala (76th minute) made amends for an earlier blemish by collecting a first tackle cross-field kick from Jackson Hastings to set up a grandstand finish.

The Knights' hopes of an unlikely comeback were extinguished when Tyson Frizell was sent to the sin bin on the final play of the game; Nick Meaney added a penalty goal to give the Storm a 36-28 victory to the delight of 20,269 supporters in attendance.

Next week, the Storm will travel to Auckland on Saturday to face the Warriors, while the Knights will return home for a Sunday afternoon clash with the Panthers.