Storm Spine crush Sea Eagles Spirits

Embed from Getty Images

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Melbourne Storm

It was billed as the Battle of Brookvale, but it was a blugeoning at 4 Pines Park as the Melbourne Storm bounced back from their tight loss to the Dragons last weekend with a 48-24 win over Manly.

The first 20 minutes of both halves laid the platform for the road warriors as they went to work after an early penalty goal somewhat seemed to settle things 2-0 a few minutes into the contest.

From there it was 3 tries in 8 minutes as Cameron Munster and a returning Jahrome Hughes orchestrated some exquisite artistry to guide Utoikamanu, Anderson & Munster himself crawling over the line in quick succession.

They were up to the task defensively as well 14 minutes from the half-time when Loiero came up with a brick wall effort to stop the dangerous Tolu Koula.

Melbourne however could not hold on for much longer as Brooks and the Manly speedstar Koula combined for their opening try as the fightback began.

The Sea Eagles opted to take the long range shot as the siren sounded off the back of a Melbourne penalty and was successful from 40 metres out, closing the Storm's halftime lead to 18-10.

Manly looked to have the better of the Storm in the early stages of the 2nd half, with Haumole Ola'kauatu treating defenders like a holey pair of socks, disposing them at will. But once again it was an absolute rampage spearheaded by one of the most cashed up spines in the competition, the 1, 6 & 7 having their hands all over the next 3 tries as another 8 minutes of agony began for the home side. Silencing a normally defeaning crowd.

Bronson Garlick joined in on the fun chasing a delicate little punch into open space from Harry Grant as the Storm took their largest lead of the contest with still 20 minutes remaining.

Koula was easily one of the best on ground for the home side, as he found himself in the ingoal once again to bag a double, followed shortly after by a galloping Ola'kauatu giving something for the Manly fans that stuck around to cheer about flicking the ball for Jason Saab in the corner.

The cue did not go in the rack from Manly as they were starved of possession for large portions of this match. When they had repeat sets they argueably put on attack more impressive than the Storm, but despite 3 tries to end the matchup it was a case of too little and far too late as the Sea Eagles faithful did not have a good day on the hill or the Bob Fulton stand end of a disheartened 4 Pines Park.