STORM CLOSING IN ON MINOR PREMIERSHIP
MELBOURNE Storm last night moved to within two points of securing the minor premiership, defeating Sydney Roosters 16-13 at AAMI Park.
The Roosters looked set for a season-defining victory when Luke Keary calmly drilled his first-ever field goal in the 74th minute.
But Storm responded in style through unsung hero Joe Stimson.
The young forward carried three Roosters over the stripe for the match-winner, which now gives Storm a three-game buffer on top of the ladder with as many games to play.
Storm superstar Cooper Cronk had a chance to knot the scores moments before Stimson’s gut-busting run but his attempt was run down, the richochet landing fortuitously in Billy Slater’s lap.
The Roosters threatened in attack last night, but all too often the visitors coughed up the ball up with penalties (11-6) and allowed Storm to control possession and field position.
Storm was unable to capitalise on the rub of the green, with wave after wave of attack falling short of the stripe in slippery conditions.
But Storm champion Cameron Smith was perfect by footy, converting three penalty goals to keep the Roosters at bay.
Storm got lucky in the first half, awarded a controversial penalty try against Latrell Mitchell for dragging down speed machine Suliasi Vunivalu off the ball.
Mitchell found himself where even angels fear to tread, in a foot race with Vunivalu, and had no option but to bring down the try-scoring machine.
Later in the game, Vunivalu was reported for a sensational brain explosion.
The Fijian powerhouse modelled a steeplechaser trying to hurdle two oncoming Roosters with his knees tucked high up around his bulging chest.