The Storm have delivered an AAMI Park masterclass to down the Sharks 54-10, piling on the factors with a staggering 9 tries.
Cronulla’s show was labelled “embarrassing” by commentator Andrew Voss because the Shire facet folded in opposition to fellow premiership heavyweights.
The first attempt got here from Tui Kamikamica in a attempt that might be thought of doubtful after replays confirmed the entrance rower might have knocked the ball on.
MATCH CENTRE: Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks dwell scores, groups, highlights
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Voss stated he “couldn’t believe” the Bunker didn’t intervene and rule his grounding a knock-on, however the four-pointer stood.
Next Cronulla scored their first and solely attempt from a bit of Ronaldo Mulitalo brilliance, reeling in a bomb to search out Teig Wilton.
From then on it was one-way visitors and Melbourne scored seven unanswered tries, with three coming within the closing 10 minutes of the primary half.
Harry Grant scored a double, operating on to a Kamikamica brief ball and barging his means over from the again of the ruck.
Xavier Coates then chimed in with a three-minute double, flying excessive to take a Jahrome Hughes kick earlier than operating on to a wise Cameron Munster flick move.
In the second half, Munster as soon as once more orchestrated a attempt with a formidable brief ball for Josh King who run 40-metres untouched to attain within the nook.
Reimis Smith then bounced off defence to attain a attempt earlier than going off with a hamstring criticism.
While they had been clearly going to safe two factors, Melbourne weren’t completed and went about tallying the half century, with Munster as soon as once more orchestrating the factors.
He caught his head by means of the road, discovering Jahrome Hughes who scored below the posts to deliver up 50 factors.
Storm ahead Christian Welch was additionally despatched to the sin bin for a hip drop sort out on Sharks prop Royce Hunt who left the sector with help from membership medical doctors.
Briton Nikora was additionally despatched to the sin bin for skilled foul on Cameron Munster who was operating by means of to retrieve a Hughes grubber.
Read under for all the important thing speaking factors out of Sunday night time’s conflict!
MELBOURNE’S BELLAMY RESPONSE
“It was putrid to be quite honest”.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy delivered a damning evaluation of his facet’s efficiency in a 45-20 loss in opposition to the Cowboys.
A response was wanted and a response is strictly what the skilled coach acquired as his facet ran riot at AAMI park, demolishing the Sharks.
Rugby league legend Greg Alexander wasn’t stunned to see the trio of Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes stand tall.
“They’ve been dominant Melbourne,” Ennis stated.
“They were putrid as Craig Bellamy said last week against the Cowboys, you knew there was going to be some sort of response,” Alexander stated.
“Their key men were the ones who let the side down last week and they are too good a players to let that happen again.”
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HYNES’ AUDITION SOURS AS SHARKS ISSUE EXPOSED
Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes had one final probability to stake his declare to put on the No.7 for NSW however failed to steer his facet to victory in opposition to the Storm.
Cronulla had been massacred by a red-hot Melbourne outfit who piled on 34 first-half factors whereas Hynes’ passes went down a number of occasions.
Commentator Shane Flanagan defined the Sharks had been on the lookout for their halfback to create a spark – however as a substitute they did not ship.
“When you look for someone to turn things around you look at Nicho Hynes, but unfortunately today he has come up with a couple of poor decisions,” Flanagan stated.
“They need one of their middle forwards to stand up with a big carry and get them going forward.”
Hynes is locked in a heated battle to start out for the Blues with each Mitchell Moses and Adam Reynolds staking their declare.
Meanwhile, a damning statistic has been laid naked as Cronulla’s premiership credentials have come into query.
In 5 video games in opposition to prime eight sides this season, the Sharks have been unable to file a win and their newest show at AAMI Park will do nothing to quell the doubts.
“The Sharks, question mark over them against top eight sides and that question mark still remains… it is still there,” Alexander stated.
Other statistics additionally confirmed how far off the tempo Cronulla had been, lacking 44 tackles and finishing at solely 66 per cent.
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GRANT’S ‘BRILLIANT’ DISPLAY
Storm hooker Harry Grant has proven why he is among the competitors’s elite hookers with a “brilliant” show in opposition to the Sharks.
After operating the ball as soon as in opposition to the Cowboys in Round 14, Grant scored twice and was constantly piercing holes in Cronulla’s defence.
Legendary hooker Michael Ennis defined how Melbourne’s dominance within the ruck “ignites” their gun dummy-half.
“They are winning the ruck speed and that ignites Harry Grant out of dummy-half, from the opening stages he has been out and scheming,” Ennis stated.
“The play the ball speed is far too quick when you have the threat of dummy-half, and he has been brilliant, Grant has been brilliant.”
Grant’s efficiency will strike worry within the coronary heart of NSW followers forward of the second recreation of the 2023 Origin sequence.
He completed the sport with 4 sort out breaks, three offloads, two line breaks and a attempt help to go along with his two four-pointers.
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Source: www.foxsports.com.au