Storm wins thriller with field goal
A 77TH-MINUTE Cameron Munster field goal has fired Melbourne to a thrilling 29-28 win over South Sydney and within 80 minutes of another NRL grand final.
In a dramatic start to this year’s final series, the Rabbitohs appeared to have clinched a preliminary final when Cameron Murray controversially stormed over with nine min- utes to go. But Munster set up a line break for Billy Slater and then stepped up to nail a 31m field goal to send a raucous crowd of 17,306 at AAMI Park into raptures.
The Rabbitohs now wait on the winner of tomorrow’s elimination final between Brisbane and St George Illawarra to keep their season alive next week.
The Storm had to come from behind five times in an absorbing contest, and also had to overcome a number of controversial refereeing decisions, to claim the win.
Scores were locked at 18-all midway through the second half when Curtis Scott was penalised for a second effort in a tackle that led to Robert Jennings crossing not long after.
A Cheyse Blair try levelled the game again, only for a sideline official to rule a Josh Addo-Carr forward pass that led to Murray’s go-ahead fourpointer.
But Munster’s late game heroics ensured the Storm remains on track to become the first team to defend its crown in a unified competition since Brisbane in 1992-93.