Storm smash Sharks in final 15

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Melbourne Storm v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

A dogged, grinding first hour of footy saw both sides struggle to pose a threat in attack, but were dishing up rock solid defence. Enter Eliesa Katoa, whose final 15 minutes turned the game heavily in Storms favour as they romped home with a big win over the Sharks.

Melbourne were the first to score when Jerome Hughes held up a great pass for Eliesa Katoa and the back rower hit the gap at pace, racing 25 metres to score untouched. Ryan Papenhuyzen converted.

After 20 minutes of struggle and poor last tackle options by both sides, the Storm finally added points after the Sharks went left for the third time on the Storm line. The Storm defence rushed up on Nicho Hynes, who was forced to bat along a pass, but Sualauvi Faalogo, who had shut down the last two shifts left by the Sharks, intercepted cleanly and raced 90 metres to score. Papenhuyzen failed to convert.

With 6 minutes remaining in the half, the Sharks finally registered points when Hynes put up a long, deep bomb. Papenhuyzen let it bounce and Braydon Trindall, who raced down field, got a perfect bounce, regathered the ball and burrowed over the line to get a much needed try for the Sharks. Hynes converted. At the break the Storm were up 10-6.

Three minutes into the second half, Papenhuyzen landed a penalty goal to give the Storm a 6 point lead.

After 25 minutes of back-and-forth by neither side having the attacking flair to breach either sides impressive defences, Eliesa Kotoa created a try. Jahrome Hughes put up a bomb from half way, Katoa charged downfield and leapt to take the bomb on the full from Will Kennedy, then he spun in the tackle and offloaded to Nick Meaney in support, who then scored a good try. Papenhuyzen converted.

With 8 minutes remaining in the game, Katoa chased another Hughes bomb and snatches it from Kennedy, spinning as he landed and then passed out the back to Hughes who scored. Papenhuyzen converted.

Five minutes later, Faalogo brilliantly fielded a low kick by the Sharks and then blitzed the Sharks defenders to race 50 metres down field, looking certain to score before he succumbed to a hamstring injury.

With 90 seconds left in the match, Trent Loiero juggled an offload from Nelson Asofa-Solomona, reeling it in just in time as he fell forward and scored a try. Nick Meaney converted to give the Storm a 30-6 victory.