Melbourne Storm jump back into second position on the ladder with a commanding 28-6 win over the Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground.
MATCH DETAILS
The Melbourne Storm have overcome a determined Bulldogs outfit 28-6 at Belmore Sports Ground to consolidate their position in the top four.
Cameron Smith opened the scoring with a penalty goal in his 500th first class game of Rugby League in what is an unbelievable achievement.
Both teams were feeling out each other for the first 10 minutes until Josh Addo-Carr reminded everyone he is the fastest man in the competition as he raced away for his sixth try of the season to put the visitors up 8-0 after 14 minutes.
A mistake riddled first half kept both teams from adding to the scoreboard as they went into the sheds with the Storm leading 8-0.
Melbourne were controlling the tempo thanks to Cameron Smith though Lock Dale Finucane failed his concussion test after colliding heads with Jahrome Hughes in the seventh minute in a sickening clash.
The second half was a tussle and the Bulldogs has their chances through clever dummy-half play from Jeremy Marshall King though their last play options were below average all game long.
Addo-Carr scores his second try for the day untouched after a short side play from Munster and Chambers attracted the Bulldogs right edge defence leaving Addo-Carr open to score his easiest try of the season.
Bulldogs only try for the day came from Sauaso Sue as he broke tacklers from 10 metres out and ran over Hughes to bridge the gap to 14-6 with 30 minutes left to play.
The Storm scored two tries in the last 10 minutes through Will Chambers and Nelson Asofa-Solomona to push out the score to 28-6.
Asofa-Solomona’s try was a barnstorming effort as he bulldozed over tired Bulldogs defenders to score under the posts to secure the two competition points for the Storm.
Melbourne will enjoy the bye next week along with seven other teams as the Bulldogs will host the Canberra Raiders at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
FOUR POINTERS
Addo-Carr primed for Origin
The quickest man in the game scored a double and ran for 207 metres in a classy performance before Origin One in 10 days. The eight tackle breaks from Addo-Carr was influential in putting the Storm ahead in the early stages of the game.
Jeremy Marshall-King starting to flourish
Youngster Marshall-King is keeping Michael Lichaa out of the side and it’s not wonder as he made 46 tackles and was one of the Dogs best. His combination with Foran and Cogger will only get better as they begin to put some games together.
Suburban footy is fantastic
A healthy 13,131 crowd turned out at Belmore Sports Ground on what was a beautiful afternoon for Rugby League. The more games Bulldogs get at their spiritual home Belmore the better as it is great for the game to go back to suburban grounds as both the fans and players enjoy it.
Storm continue to be the Storm
The Storm outperformed the Bulldogs in almost every category, e.g. 1616 run metres to 1307, four line breaks to one and 11 missed tackles less. With the Origin period beginning now the Storm is well placed in second position and have the bye next weekend they can rest up as they go into the second half of the season.
THE RESULT
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS 6
Tries: Sauaso Sue
Goals: Rhyse Martin 1/1
MELBOURNE STORM 28
Tries: Josh Addo-Carr 2, Will Chambers, Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Goals: Cameron Smith 5/6, Ryan Papenhuyzen 1/1
SQUADS
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Christian Crichton 3. Marcelo Montoya 4. Will Hopoate 5. Reimis Smith 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jack Cogger 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Corey Harawira-Naera 13. Chris Smith Interchange: 14. Rhyse Martin 15. Ofahiki Ogden 16. Danny Fualalo 17. Sauaso Sue
MELBOURNE STORM: 1. Jahrome Hughes 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Marion Seve 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Brodie Croft 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Joe Stimson 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen
