Australian and NSW back-rower Ryan Hoffman has signed a four-year contract extension with Melbourne and predicts he'll see another NRL premiership title in that time.
The 25-year-old will play at the Storm until 2012, which will make him a 10-year veteran of the club after debuting in 2003.
Hoffman joins a string of crucial re-signings by the Storm that will keep the bulk of their 2007 premiership side together for several more seasons.
Skipper Cameron Smith recently signed a new deal that will take him through to 2012, while internationals Greg Inglis (2012), Cooper Cronk (2013), Dallas Johnson (2011), Jeff Lima (2011), Adam Blair (2011) and Sika Manu (2011) have all penned long-term deals along with NSW Origin winger Anthony Quinn (2011) and prop Brett White (2010).
Melbourne may have lost international stars Jeremy Smith (Dragons), Israel Folau (Brisbane) and Michael Crocker (Hull) but they've secured NSW Origin coach Craig Bellamy until the end of 2013 after he turned down a bold approach from Brisbane last year.
Fullback Billy Slater is the next target for Melbourne's retention drive. He is contracted until 2010 but has a get-out clause similar to departed Dragons star Mark Gasnier who is now playing French rugby union.
"Melbourne's the place I wanted to stay, it's a great club with great players and it's comforting knowing we've got so many quality players signed up for an extended period of time," Hoffman said on Monday.
"It's a club I'm really proud of and to be able to say I've played 10 years at the one club is something I'll be able to hang my hat on.
"There was interest from elsewhere but the Storm was where I wanted to be so it was a painless negotiation period."
Hoffman says the club isn't carrying any battle scars from their 40-0 grand final thrashing by Manly and confidence is running high as they head into their first trial match of the season, against the New Zealand Warriors in Hamilton on Thursday night.
He missed last year's title decider after undergoing surgery on his ankle, which he has only been able to run on for the past month.
"It definitely hasn't affected our confidence, we're still as confident in our ability and what we can do as a team as ever," Hoffman said.
"We've got so many young blokes and new guys at the club at the moment.
"There's a great fresh feel and they're looking to capitalise on what we've achieved in the last three years and obviously doing even better.
"We're really looking forward to this year. There's no reason why we can be as successful as we have been in the past three years."
Hoffman is one of five Melbourne internationals named to play on Thursday.
Fellow Kangaroos Dallas Johnson and Cooper Cronk and New Zealand internationals Sika Manu and Wairangi Koopu have also been named in the 22-man squad.
Hoffman, who has played 129 NRL games for the club, said he was almost back to 100 per cent after the surgery and just needed some match fitness.
The Storm will play a further two trial matches before their season opener on March 13 against the Dragons at Telstra Dome in Melbourne.
Melbourne squad to play NZ Warriors: Brett Anderson, Dane Nielsen, Willie Isa, Joseph Tomane, Andre Itula, James Maloney, Cooper Cronk, Scott Anderson, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Louis Fanene, Sika Manu, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson, Hep Cahill, Sam Joe, Jade Williams, Wairangi Koopu, Kevin Proctor, Clifford Manua, Matt Cross, Zeb Tahwa, Dane Chisholm.
AAP
The Melbourne Storm has continued their recent dominance over the Brisbane Broncos, registering an emphatic 28-8 victory over their injury ravaged opponents at a bitterly cold Olympic Park tonight.
It was a welcome return to form for the 2007 premiers, shrugging off back-to-back losses with a dominant five tries to two victory in front of a parochial Melbourne crowd.
The class of the Storm’s outside backs was a real highlight, with underrated winger Anthony Quinn crossing for a hat-trick, and Israel Folau particularly strong, scoring a try against his future club.
Storm fullback Billy Slater put his hand up for a Test match recall with another impressive display, with the flying custodian lethal with every touch.
It took the defending premiers just nine minutes to post opening points, with a beautiful wrap-around pass by an explosive Billy Slater allowing Quinn to score his first of the night.
New Broncos signing Folau extended the home sides lead just ten minutes later, with the gangly centre able to outleap opposite Denan Kemp to score the Storm’s second converted try.
The visitors finally got on the board through a try to rookie winger Reece Robinson, with the dashing winger able to evade a handful of Storm defenders to slide over in the corner.
Broncos hooker Michael Ennis failed with his sideline conversion much to the glee of the parochial home crowd, leaving the competition front runners trailing 4-12.
Ryan Hoffman’s try just two minutes out from the half-time break was the straw that broke the camels back however, with the Origin backrower accepting the crumbs from a spilt Robinson bomb, to gift the Storm a convincing 18-4 lead at the break.
Despite starting from the bench due to a troublesome knee injury, inspirational Brisbane skipper Darren Lockyer gave his side a sniff when he manufactured a try for starting five-eight David Stagg.
Ennis again failed with his conversion attempt, leaving the Broncos trailing by ten inside the final quarter.
But further tries to Quinn in the 67th and 73rd minutes completed the rout, with the Storm consigning the injury depleted Broncos to their first defeat of 2008.
The Broncos will hope to be at full strength ahead of their match against the Knights in Newcastle next Sunday, whilst the Storm will play host to the Sea-Eagles in an ’07 grand final replay next Friday night.
Melbourne Storm 28
Tries: Anthony Quinn 3, Israel Folau, Ryan Hoffman
Goals: Cameron Smith 4
defeated
Brisbane Broncos 8
Tries: Reece Robinson, David Stagg
Goals:
At Olympic Park
Referee – Jared Maxwell
September 30th 2007 11:53
The Melbourne Storm has been crowned the 2007 NRL champions after completing an emphatic 34-8 victory over the Manly Sea-Eagles at Telstra Stadium on Sunday night.
Melbourne’s seven tries to two shutout was just reward for two years of complete dominance, with Storm sensation Greg Inglis capping a tremendous season by being awarded the Clive Churchill medal for best player on ground.
It was a fairytale end to a dazzling NRL career for Storm centre Matt King, with the lanky three-quarter tasting premiership glory in his final match before heading to the UK Super League.
After a brutal opening ten minutes, it was the minor premiers that posted first points through a brilliantly constructed team try scored by Storm winger Anthony Quinn.
With the Storm on the attack inside the Manly red zone, it was a beautiful decoy run by Billy Slater that opened up a two man overlap, with Inglis drawing the last line of defence to put Quinn over unopposed.
Storm skipper Cameron Smith duly converted to hand Melbourne a 6-0 advantage.
With the Sea-Eagles central defence holding their own against the powerful Storm forwards, the speedy Storm outside backs began to find holes in Manly’s outside defence, with Slater in particular making numerous half breaks.
Melbourne went further ahead in the 23rd minute through a sensational solo effort by Inglis, with the talented five-eighth powering through attempted tackles by Anthony Watmough, Matt Orford and Chris Hicks to barge over for a determined four pointer.
Smith’s conversion attempt sailed wide, but the Storm appeared in control at 10-0 after 25 minutes.
Manly finally got on the board just thirty seconds before the half time siren through a barnstorming try to hulking centre Steve Matai.
After receiving back-to back sets from a Storm error, it was a precision Michael Monaghan cut out pass that allowed Matai to power through Israel Folau and Cooper Cronk to score wide out.
Sea-Eagles half Matt Orford failed to convert from the sideline to leave the Storm leading 10-4 at the half-time break.
The Storm started where they left of in the first half, with a massive hit by Michael Crocker on Manly fullback Brett Stewart seeing the flying fullback carried off.
It was another piece of individual brilliance by Crocker that saw the Storm extend their lead, with the rampaging backrower steaming through three Sea-Eagles defenders to score a typically tough grand final try.
After missing an earlier penalty shot from close range, Smith again missed from an easy position to leave Melbourne leading 14-4 after 45 minutes.
With Melbourne dominating both possession and field position, the Storm juggernaut continued when Matt King strolled through some soft outside Manly defence to push the Storm out to an 18-4 lead after 53 minutes.
The NRL trophy appeared to heading south when Inglis burst downfield off a brilliant Cross short ball, with the prodigious talent scorching sixty metres to score a brilliant four pointer.
Smith again missed with yet another conversion attempt, but Melbourne had complete control at 22-4.
The Sea-Eagles closed the gap in the 62nd minute when a fifty metre bust by Jamie Lyon was finished off by winger Chris Hicks, with Orford’s missed conversion leaving Manly trailing 8-22.
But Melbourne closed out the match in typical clinical fashion, with a try to King and a grand final double for Quinn to seal the Storm’s second premiership.
Melbourne Storm 34
Tries: Anthony Quinn 2, Greg Inglis 2, Michael Crocker, Matt King, Clint Newton
Goals: Cameron Smith 3
Manly Sea-Eagles 8
Tries: Steve Matai, Chris Hicks
Goals:
At Telstra Stadium
Referee – Tony Archer
Crowd – 81,392
September 23rd 2007 08:26
The Melbourne Storm will play the Manly Sea-Eagles in next Sunday’s 2007 NRL Grand Final, after the minor premiers recorded a tough 26-10 victory over a relentless Parramatta Eels outfit at Melbourne’s Telstra Dome on Sunday.
In what was a gritty and brutal preliminary final played in front of a vocal crowd of 33,427, it was the two tries to departing Storm centre Matt King that was the difference between two feverishly committed sides.
After trailing by six points at the half time interval, the Eels started the second half in a blaze of glory, scoring one try but bombing countless near misses to finish their season one game short of the season decider for the seventh time in the past ten years.
It was another typically grinding victory for the Storm, with two Cameron Smith penalty goals and a double to King booking Melbourne a second successive grand final appearance.
After dominating possession early, it was a pumped up Parramatta Eels that opened the scoring in the tenth minute through a try to robust winger Eric Grothe.
Neglecting the opportunity at an early penalty shot, the confident Eels backline clicked into action, with Parramatta half Tim Smith firing a bullet like, three man cut out pass to an unmarked Grothe to score in the corner unopposed.
Rookie Eels winger Krisnan Inu’s conversion attempt just swung wide to leave the visitors with an early 4-0 advantage.
Melbourne replied in clinical fashion, with a well rehearsed backline movement allowing prolific try scoring winger Steve Turner to cross wide out to level the scores at 4-all after 27 minutes.
Having been piggybacked downfield on the back of successive penalties, it was a crafty second man play from Cooper Cronk that found Billy Slater in space, before the flying fullback passed onto an unmarked Tuner to score wide out.
Cameron Smith failed to convert from the sideline to leave the scores level after 33 minutes.
The Storm made it back-to-back four pointers when Cronk weaved his way through four Eels defenders just three minutes later, with a successful conversion from Smith pushing Melbourne out to a handy 10-4 lead.
Melbourne finished the first half right on the attack, with only desperate Eels goalline defence preventing any further scoring before the break.
Parramatta came out for the second half full of running, with Eels centre Joel Reddy on the end of some great inside work from Brett Finch and Daniel Wagon to race over in the 42nd minute.
Inu’s brilliant sideline conversion levelled the scores at 10-all.
The Storm edged back into the lead with a Smith penalty goal in the 52nd minute, and went further ahead just two minutes later with a try to King.
Receiving a great Cronk offload on the halfway line, Storm lock Dallas Johnson stormed downfield on a thirty metre charge, before linking with the powerful centre to score a wonderful team try.
Smith’s conversion handed the Storm a handy 18-10 lead heading into the final 20 minutes.
Another Smith penalty goal in the 73rd minute, and a second try to King in the final minute closed out the match.
Melbourne Storm 26
Tries: Matt King 2, Steve Turner, Cooper Cronk
Goals: Cameron Smith 5
Parramatta Eels 10
Tries: Eric Grothe, Joel Reddy
Goals: Krisnan Inu
At Telstra Dome, Melbourne
Referee – Tony Archer
The Melbourne Storm capped off a dominant season by recording a 50-6 thrashing of the Gold Coast Titans at Olympic Park on Sunday night.
With a boisterous crowd of 11,770 on hand to celebrate back-to-back minor premierships for the Storm, it was yet another commanding display by the Melbourne side that saw them keep their undefeated record at Olympic Park intact for the season.
While the under strength Titans tried hard, they were simply outgunned by a relentless Storm unit, with Melbourne now hosting the Brisbane Broncos next Sunday at their fearsome home fortress.
The celebrations started early for the Olympic Park crowd, with a magical Cooper Cronk short ball sending Ryan Hoffman over in just the fourth minute of play.
Cameron Smith’s conversion attempt swung wide, but the Storm took an early 4-0 advantage.
Melbourne was in again just four minutes later, with the Storm producing a pet play to allow Steve Turner to score. With successive penalties handing the Storm perfect field position, it was a precision Cronk cross field kick that found Israel Folau flying high, with the rookie sensation passing on to Turner to score.
Smith successfully converted to make it 10-0 in as many minutes.
Things were getting ugly for the Titans when Cronk stepped his way through some soft Gold Coast defence to score his side’s third try inside the opening fifteen minutes, with another Smith goal extending the lead to 16-0.
Melbourne produced a textbook rugby league manoeuvre for their fourth try, with every member of the Storm backline handling before winger Anthony Quinn dotted down in a classically executed four pointer.
Smith’s Sideline conversion kept the scoreline building, with the minor premiers moving out to a dominant 22-0 lead after just 24 minutes.
The Storm completed a perfect half of football, when Matt King strolled over off the back of a scrum move with the half-time siren sounding, with Smith’s fourth conversion sending the home side to the sheds with a commanding 28-0 advantage.
After a quiet first half, Storm five-eighth Greg Inglis got the crowd cheering by producing a brilliant chip and chase to score a sensational solo try.
Smith made it 34-0 after 50 minutes with his fifth goal.
A mistake by Storm fullback Billy Slater enabled the Titans to finally got on the board, with the zippy custodian slipping in attempting to clean up an innocuous Preston Campbell grubber, with Titans backrower Mark Minichiello rewarded for his chase with a 50th minute try.
Gold Coast centre Brett Delaney converted beautifully from touch to leave the Titans trailing 34-6.
Further tries to Storm stars Folau (64th), Michael Crocker (72nd) and Billy Slater (78th) complete the nine try rout.
Melbourne Storm 50
Tries: Ryan Hoffman, Steve Turner, Cooper Cronk, Anthony Quinn, Matt King, Greg Inglis, Israel Folau, Michael Crocker, Billy Slater
Goals: Cameron Smith 5, Israel Folau, Matt King
Gold Coast Titans 6
Tries: Mark Minichiello
Goals: Brett Delaney
At Olympic Park
Referee – Jared Maxwell
Melbourne has all but sealed the 207 minor premiership with a 17-16 victory over a desperate Cronulla Sharks at Toyota Park on Monday night.
The Sharks burst out of the blocks with a try to lock forward Henry Peranara inside the opening two minutes. After travelling seventy metres from the opening kick-off, it was a Brett Seymour chip kick that found space, with Peranara winning the race to the ball to open the scoring.
Sharks winger Luke Covell converted from right in front to hand the home side an early 6-0 advantage.
A Covell penalty goal in the seventh minute moved the enthusiastic Sharks out to a 8-0 lead, after the Storm were penalised for a ruck infringements.
After Melbourne had a try disallowed in the 21st minute, Sharks centre Ben Pomeroy crossed for a try off a Paul Gallen grubber just seven minutes later.
Covell converted magnificently from the sideline to push the Sharks out to a 14-0 lead.
With the possession rate beginning to swing the visitors way, it was Storm centre Matt King that crossed for Melbourne’s opening try in the 33rd minute. Rookie sensation Israel Folau assumed the goal kicking duties in Cameron Smith’s absence, with the Storm centre converting from the sideline to make it 14-6.
Melbourne made it back to back four pointers three minutes later, with a Cooper Cronk cross field bomb claimed by King, who passed onto Ryan Hoffman to dot down wide out. Folau again converted from wide out to allow the Sharks to go into the half time break leading 14-12.
The Storm started the second half full of running, with Melbourne fullback Billy Slater having a try disallowed by video referee Steve Clark for an alleged double movement.
But Melbourne weren’t to be denied ten minutes later however, with Greg Inglis latching onto an intercept and racing forty metres downfield.
From the ensuing play the ball, the Storm swung the ball through their talented backline, with Folau bulldozing three Sharks defenders to barge his way over. The teenage centre failed to convert from wide out, leaving the Storm with a slight 16-14 advantage.
A 69th minute penalty goal to Covell levelled the scores up at 16-all, ensuring an entertaining final ten minutes.
But a Cronk field goal in the 76th minute sealed a 17-16 victory for the Storm, with Cronulla’s semi-final aspirations done and dusted for another season.
Cronulla now travel to Parramatta Stadium next Saturday night to take on the third placed Eels, while the Melbourne Storm will play host to the injury riddled Brisbane Broncos next Sunday.
Melbourne Storm 17
Tries: Matt King, Ryan Hoffman, Israel Folau
Goals: Israel Folau 2, Cooper Cronk field goal
Cronulla Sharks 16
Tries: Henry Peranara, Ben Pomeroy
Goals: Luke Covell 4
At Toyota Park
Referee – Paul Simpkins
The Melbourne Storm extended their unbeaten run to seven games, registering a comprehensive 34-6 victory over the Canberra Raiders at Olympic Park on Saturday night.
The talented Storm backline prove to be the difference in bitterly cold conditions, with representative star Greg Inglis crossing for two tries in the six tries to one victory.
Melbourne opened the scoring in scintillating fashion in the 4th minute, with Storm half Cooper Cronk potting a precision kick down field for a flying Matt Geyer to pounce on and score. Cameron Smith’s sideline conversion capped off a breathtaking 6-0 start.
The Storm backline clicked into gear just ten minutes later, with teenage sensation Israel Folau beating three defenders on a dazzling 40 metre run to the tryline. Another booming sideline conversion from Smith pushed the Storm out to a 12-0 lead.
It was an uncharacteristic handling error from the Storm that enabled the Raiders to strike back, with a terrific hit and spin from Canberra forward Glenn Turner sending the visitors over. Raiders half Michael Dobson converted to make it 12-6.
A well worked Melbourne backline movement saw Greg Inglis slice through on the half hour mark, with the dynamic centre showing the Raiders a clean pair of heels in a 30 metre charge to the tryline.
Smith’s third conversion attempt swung wide, allowing the home side to go to the break with a 16-6 advantage.
The Storm extended their lead just three minutes into the second half, with another Cronk cross field kick bouncing perfectly into the hands of an unmarked Steve Turner to score. Smith nailed the conversion to push the Storm out to a 22-6 lead.
Another stunning Storm backline raid in the 60th minute saw rangy centre Matt King score wide out, with Smith’s fourth conversion seemingly securing victory for Melbourne.
Melbourne secured their six tries to one victory when Inglis crossed for his second just ten minutes out from full-time, with Smith’s fifth conversion sealing the 34-6 victory.
The Melbourne Storm now travel to the Sydney Football Stadium next Friday night to take on the Sydney Roosters, whilst the Raiders will host the Penrith Panthers, also on Friday night.
Melbourne Storm 34
Tries: Greg Inglis 2, Matt Geyer, Israel Folau, Steve Turner, Matt King
Goals: Cameron Smith 5
Canberra Raiders 6
Tries: Glenn Turner
Goals: Michael Dobson
At Olympic Park
The Melbourne Storm consolidated their position at the top of the premiership ladder with a 44-0 annihilation of the Newcastle Knights at Olympic Park on Monday night.
Melbourne’s nine tries to nil victory was yet another clinical display from the premiership favourites, with the Knights having no answer to the Storm juggernaut.
The Strom opened the scoring in just the fifth minute, with a precision cut out pass from five-eighth Matt Geyer allowing a flying Steve Turner to swoop over in the corner. Kicking into a howling wind, Cameron Smith’s conversion attempt blew well wide to leave the score at 4-0.
With Newcastle knocking on from the kick-off, the Knights had a fantastic chance to draw level immediately through winger Cooper Vuna, however video referee Bill Harrigan correctly ruled that the rookie winger had gone into touch in the act of grounding.
Melbourne extended their lead in the 14th minute through a simple try to centre Anthony Quinn. With Cooper Cronk beginning to stamp his authority on proceedings, it was a well rehearsed move from Cronk and Geyer that gave Quinn a saloon passage to the tryline.
Smith used the breeze to his advantage on this occasion, curling the kick through from the sideline to push the home side out a 10-0 advantage.
Storm backrower Ryan Hoffman scored in the 27th minute off a pet Melbourne play, with Geyer again offloading to a wide running Hoffman to dive over. Smith duly converted to make it 16-0.
In what was turning into a cakewalk for the Storm, electric fullback Billy Slater sliced straight through the Knights outside backs to score Melbourne’s fourth try of the opening half. Smith’s conversion attempt just sailed wide, and the Storm went to the half-time break with a commanding 20-0 lead.
Melbourne went further ahead in the 52nd minute, with a majestic Smith grubber pounced on by Matt King to make it 24-0.
The Storm all but wrapped up the match straight from the kick-off, with an Israel Folau dummy half charge sending Slater racing away on a sixty metre special. Smith nailed the conversion from right in front to make it 30-0.
Further tries to Quinn, Clint Newton and Turner completed the nine tries to nil rout.
Melbourne will now host the Canberra Raiders at Olympic Park next Saturday night, while the Newcastle Knights take on the Sydney Roosters at Energy Australia Stadium next Saturday night.
Melbourne Storm 44
Tries: Billy Slater 2, Anthony Quinn 2, Steve Turner 2, Ryan Hoffman, Matt King, Clint Newton
Goals: Cameron Smith 3, Steve Turner
Newcastle Knights 0
Tries:
Goals:
At Olympic Park
Referee – Gavin Badger
The Melbourne Storm continued their recent dominance over the St George-Illawarra Dragons on Sunday, recording a gritty 28-6 victory at a bitterly cold Olympic Park.
A healthy crowd of 13,545 was on hand to celebrate the Storm’s 10th birthday celebrations, with a four try second half performance allowing the Melbourne side to consolidate their spot atop the premiership ladder.
The first half unfolded into the predicted forward dominated tussle, with both sides attack suffering from injuries to key personnel. Talented Storm winger Israel Folau fell to a hamstring injury in just the first minute of play, whilst Dallas Johnson failed to return from an ankle injury sustained midway trough the first half.
After dominating the early exchanges, it was the Dragons that posted first points with a try to backrower Beau Scott in the fifth minute.
Charging onto a ball twenty metres out, Scott burst through three Storm defenders to dot down under the posts. Dragons half Jamie Soward converted the simple conversion to hand the visitors a shock early 6-0 lead.
As the war of attrition continued, it was a penalty goal to Storm skipper Cameron Smith that got his team on the board in the 12th minute, with Dragons skipper Jason Ryles and backrower Justin Poore leaving the field shortly after with knee injuries.
The Storm finally crossed for their first try in the 30th minute, with Matt King charging onto a beautiful Smith offload to barge over untouched. Smith duly converted to edge the home team in front 8-6.
Melbourne’s backline clicked into action just four minutes later, with Greg Inglis finding a wide running Clint Newton running a perfect line to score wide out. Smith failed in his conversion attempt, but the Storm took a handy 12-6 advantage into the half time break.
Inglis was at his creative best early in the second half, with a booming twenty metre cut out pass finding Matt Geyer unmarked, with the veteran winger passing inside to livewire fullback Steve Turner to cross untouched. Smith again failed to convert from wide out, but the Storm held the ascendency at 16-6 after 44 minutes.
Origin representative Ryan Hoffman extended the Storm’s lead on the hour, with a simple dummy and run off the back of a scrum pushing the home side out to a 20-6 lead.
Video Referee Graeme West was called onto adjudicate on a try to Geyer in the 66th minute, with the Storm winger able to squeeze inside the corner post despite the attention of two Dragons defenders. Smith’s unhappy day with the boot continued, but Melbourne was in complete control at 24-6.
Turner sealed the result in the 77th minute when he crossed for his second try of the afternoon, with the Storm consolidating their spot at the top of the table with a comprehensive six tries to one victory.
The Melbourne Storm now enjoy next week off courtesy of the bye, while the Dragons will host the Manly Sea-Eagles at Oki Jubilee Stadium next Friday night.
Melbourne Storm 28
Tries: Steve Turner 2, Matt King, Clint Newton, Ryan Hoffman, Matt Geyer
Goals: Cameron Smith 2
St George-Illawarra Dragons 6
Tries: Beau Scott
Goals: Jamie Soward
At Olympic Park
The Melbourne Storm consolidated their spot at the top of the NRL premiership table with a hard fought 4-2 victory over a disappointing New Zealand Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday.
In front of a paltry home crowd of 6,209, it was the under strength Melbourne Storm side that took full of advantage of their limited opportunities to record their eleventh victory of the season.
Endeavouring to end a worrisome five game losing streak, it was the home side who opened the scoring in the 8th minute through a penalty goal to Warriors centre Tony Martin for a Melbourne ruck infringement.
The drizzly weather conditions meant that both teams had to reign in their normally free flowing attacking styles, with a focussed Warriors unit enjoying a 60% possession advantage in the first half.
As the opening half degenerated into a forward dominated arm wrestle, it was the Warriors that enjoyed the better of field position, with only the structured Storm defence preventing them from adding to their paltry 2-0 half time lead.
The safety first approach adopted by both teams continued well into the second half, with the rookie Storm side beginning to enjoy a greater shard of possession.
It took until the 71st minute before the visitors finally scored, with giant backrower Jeremy Smith crashing over after concerted Storm pressure. Melbourne custodian Steve Turner failed to convert from wide out, but after defending for the majority of the match, it was the Storm that clinged to a slight 4-2 advantage with minutes remaining.
The Warriors finally clicked into gear in the remaining five minutes of the match, but the best defensive unit in the competition held firm to secure a critical two point victory.
Melbourne Storm 4
Tries: Jeremy Smith
Goals:
New Zealand Warriors 2
Tries:
Goals: Tony Martin
At Mt Smart Stadium
The Melbourne Storm returned to the top of the premiership table with a comprehensive 26-10 victory over a determined South Sydney at Olympic Park on Saturday night.
A vocal home crowd of 11,211 braved the bitterly cold Melbourne conditions, to witness a focussed Storm unit graft out an entertaining four tries to two victory over a South Sydney side desperate to arrest a four game losing streak.
The home side opened the scoring in the 12th minute through a bizarre try to renegade winger Steve Turner. With television replays suggesting some doubt as to whether Turner grounded the ball legally, Video referee Pat Reynolds needed nine replays to determine that the diminutive winger had cleanly grounded the ball. Storm skipper booted a majestic sideline conversion to put the premiership favourite ahead 6-0.
Turner was denied a second try just six minutes later, with Reynolds this time ruling that Storm centre Matt King had obstructed opposition centre Nigel Vagana in the lead up.
Souths replied through a dubious try to Dean Widders in the 23rd minute, with replays suggesting that Jeremy Smith’s pass to Widders was marginally forward. Rabbitohs winger Nathan Merritt duly converted to level the scores at 6 all after 25 minutes.
Melbourne started to dominate both field position and possession in the closing stages of an exciting first half, but to their merit, the Rabbitohs defence held strong.
King had a chance to extend the home sides lead right on the stroke of halftime, but the lanky Origin centre failed to hold onto a Matt Geyer cross field bomb, leaving the scores tied at 6 all at the break.
The Storm extended their lead in the 43rd minute, with a simple backline movement allowing King to cross unopposed. Another booming sideline conversion from Smith edged Melbourne out to a 12-6 lead.
A 50/50 penalty against rookie Souths centre Fetuli Talanoa for an incorrect paly the ball saw Smith kick his third goal of the night to extend their lead to 14-6 after 55 minutes.
The Storm looked home and hosed when makeshift five-eighth Geyer jinxed his way over the line in the 62nd minute, with another Smith conversion handing the home side an unassailable 20-6 advantage.
However, Souths weren’t done for the night, with a 70th minute try to Shannon Hegarty getting the visitors to within six points with ten left on the clock.
But Melbourne whiz kid Greg Inglis sealed the 16 point victory with a now customary freakish try in the final minute, with the dynamic Maroons winger flying high above the pack to ground the ball in sensational fashion. Smith completed a perfect night with the boot with his fifth goal of the night, keeping the Storm’s perfect record against Souths at Olympic Park intact.
Melbourne now faces the daunting road trip of travelling to Mt Smart Stadium next Sunday to take on the inconsistent New Zealand Warriors, whilst the South Sydney Rabbitohs host the Penrith Panthers at Telstra Stadium next Friday night.
Melbourne Storm 26
Tries: Steve Turner, Matt King, Matt Geyer, Greg Inglis
Goals: Cameron Smith 5
South Sydney Rabbitohs 10
Tries: Dean Widders, Shannon Hegarty
Goals: Nathan Merritt
At Olympic Park
An under strength Melbourne Storm outfit produced a clinical display in disposing of a disjointed Sydney Roosters side 26-2 at a slippery Olympic Park on Saturday night.
With both sides heading into the clash minus their Origin stars, both sides adopted a basic forward dominated game plan in the inclement weather conditions.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy was forced into naming four debutants for the crucial clash, with hooker James Aubusson impressing in Cameron Smith’s absence. Fellow debutant centre William Chambers was also strong in his first grade appearance, with Bellamy unleashing the talented future of the Melbourne Storm against a frustrated Roosters outfit.
In a dour and mistake riddled first half, the visiting Roosters team had much the better of field position and possession, but continually committed fundamental errors when in prime attacking position.
The Roosters finally posted points through a Craig Fitzgibbon penalty goal in the 30th minute, but the home side hit back immediately through a barge over try to Ryan Hoffman three minutes later. With Smith away on Origin duty, Storm winger Steve Turner took over the goal kicking duties, piloting the conversion attempt directly over the black dot to hand the Storm a surprise 6-2 lead.
After witnessing a dismal first half arm wrestle, the 9354 strong Olympic Park crowd came alive on the stroke of halftime, with teenage try scoring sensation Israel Folau crashing through some soft Roosters goal line defence to score. Turner missed the difficult conversion attempt, but after being under the pump for much of the first half, the Storm went to the main break with a surprise 10-2 advantage.
A booming 40/20 kick by replacement hooker James Aubusson put Melbourne in prime attacking position early in the second half, with interchange Storm forward Jeff Lima taking full advantage with a barge over try in the 51st minute. Turner nailed the conversion attempt this time, and even with half an hour left, the Storm were home and hosed at 16-2.
Melbourne debutant William Chambers put the result beyond doubt with a try in the 71st minute, with the rookie centre bursting into a yawning gap to score his first try in the top grade, with Turner’s missed conversion swinging wide.
A mesmerising try to flying Storm custodian Billy Slater put the icing on the cake for the home side, with Steve Turner’s third conversion completing the 24 point rout.
The Melbourne Storm now travels to Brookvale Oval next Saturday night for the top of the table clash with the Manly Sea-Eagles, whilst the Sydney Roosters will meet the Cronulla Sharks at Toyota Park on the same night.
Melbourne Storm 26
Tries: Ryan Hoffman, Israel Folau, Jeff Lima, Will Chambers, Billy Slater
Goals: Steve Turner 3
Defeated
Sydney Roosters 2
Tries:
Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon
Premiership pacesetters the Melbourne Storm continued their early season dominance with a stirring 30-20 victory over the Penrith Panthers at Olympic Stadium this evening.
On a typically cool, but drizzly Melbourne night, the home team completed a grinding five tries to three victory, with Kangaroos and Storm hooker Cameron Smith starring less than 24 hours after appearing in last night’s Trans-Tasman Test.
It was a booming 40/20 kick by Smith off an early set of six that afforded the Storm handy field position, with a Panther’s scrum indiscretion allowing Smith to post the first points through a penalty goal in the 6th minute.
However, the visitors dominated possession early through repeat sets, with Penrith centre Luke Lewis scoring the first try of the match in the 12th minute. A booming cross field bomb from Craig Gower was spilt forward by Storm winger Steve Turner, allowing Lewis to scoop up the loose ball to score in the corner. Panther’s goal kicking whiz Michael Gordon landed a difficult sideline conversion to hand the visitors a 6-2 advantage.
Melbourne hit straight back through a Cooper Cronk try in the 17th minute, with the crafty half able to slice through some ordinary Panthers goal line defence to level the scores. Smith nailed his second kick of the night to put the home team back in front at 8-6.
After a Panthers penalty goal to Gordon levelled the scores in the 31st minute, the Storm went further ahead through an opportunist’s try to Ryan Hoffman four minutes later. A Cooper Cronk grubber kick ricocheted off two Panthers defenders into the waiting hands of Hoffman to score, with Smith missing a difficult kick in the conditions to leave the Storm ahead at the break, 12-8.
Cronk was in for his second try just after the resumption of play, with a Sam Tagataese break and off load allowing a flying Cronk to dot down under the posts. Smith didn’t miss form right in front, putting the Storm 18-8 up in the 45th minute.
Backing up after a solid performance in last nights ANZAC Test, Storm hooker Cameron Smith scored a typical dummy half barge over try in the 55th minute to extend the home sides lead, with another simple Smith conversion giving the home side complete control at 24-8.
Penrith were offered a glimmer of hope when backrower Frank Pritchard scored off a Peter Wallace off load with fifteen minutes remaining, with Gordon’s easy conversion getting the visitors to within ten points.
Visions of yet another Panthers miracle victory grew stronger when Michael Jennings crossed for the Panthers in the 68th minute, with another miraculous Gordon sideline conversion getting the Panthers within four with 12 minutes left to play.
But it was Cameron Smith who sealed the Storm’s sixth straight victory this season, with the dynamic hooker again barging over from dummy half to seal a much deserved Melbourne victory. Smith’s fifth goal of the night cemented Melbourne’s position atop the premiership ladder, whilst resigning the gallant Panthers to a third straight loss.
Melbourne Storm 30
Tries: Cooper Cronk 2, Cameron Smith 2, Ryan Hoffman
Goals: Cameron Smith 5
Penrith Panthers 20
Tries: Luke Lewis, Frank Pritchard, Michael Jennings
Goals: Michael Gordon 4
At Olympic Park
Oracle of Delphi
KC Hill
Arnold
Paladin
Craig Hill
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