Storm coach Craig Bellamy hailed Jahrome Hughes’ playmaking masterclass, masterminding his aspect’s assertion 46-16 win over the Eels.
Melbourne’s playmaking trio of Hughes, Harry Grant and Cameron Munster ran riot at Marvel Stadium, orchestrating a staggering eight tries to place Brad Arthur’s males to the sword.
After Grant stole the present with two back-to-back first half tries, Hughes then went to work and had a hand in 5 extra four-pointers.
Watch each sport of each spherical of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >>>
The 29-year-old New Zealand worldwide crossed for a attempt of his personal within the twenty seventh minute and assisted 4 extra, with Bellamy labelling his halfback “untouchable”.
“Harry has been great all year, very consistent and he scored the first two tries,” Bellamy stated within the post-match press convention.
“That was really pleasing and then, Hughesy, we just know that when our spines running the ball and (are) involved that we are a better footy team and that has been a part of our inconsistency as well.
“Tonight they ran the ball well, and not just ran the ball to run the ball, it was in the right situations at the right time. I thought all those guys did a really good job.
“Hughesy, his last half-hour of that first half, he was nearly untouchable.”
Bellamy was additionally requested about Ryan Papenhuyzen’s return, with the star fullback revealing on Twitter midweek he may return to the sphere earlier than the finals.
“I reckon I’m only a few weeks away now. Good couple of weeks at training. Back into contact, back into everything really,” he wrote.
Papenhuyzen has been sidelined since shattering his kneecap in Round 18 final 12 months and Bellamy made it clear he was be eased again in to the motion.
Get all the most recent NRL news, highlights and evaluation delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Souths surge again into high 8 | 01:20
MORE NRL NEWS
‘REPAY HIS TEAMMATES’: Arthur’s problem to suspended Eels star in finals race
BIG HITS: Grant, Hughes masterclasses lead Storm to assertion win as Eels drop out
CASUALTY WARD: Tigers’ triple blow as ahead fails HIA amid Laurie’s leg harm
SUE: Dugan contemplating suing NRL, Sharks for unfair dismissal after beating cost
“I think he will play a game or two at least in Queensland cup, he hasn’t played rugby league for a long time,” Bellamy stated.
“He hasn’t played in the NRL so I think he will need some time there to find his feet.
“When that happens, I’m still not 100 per cent sure, but he is certainly getting closer.
“But we haven’t really thought about too much yet because there’s not much use worrying about something that might not happen.”
He additionally stated there have been no ensures Papenhuyzen will characteristic for the Storm on this 12 months’s finals collection.
“We’d love him to be at his best in the finals, but as I said he hasn’t played for 12 months and it was a horrible injury he has come back from,”
“And it’s taken a little bit longer than everyone thought, or the medical team thought so there’s no pressure on him, no pressure on us to pick him.
“We will just see what the couple of weeks brings.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au