Storm weather Parra onslaught to move on
MELBOURNE are a game away from successive NRL grand finals after a thrilling 18-16 victory over a fearless Parramatta outfit at AAMI Park yesterday.
The minor premiers were expected to steamroll the Eels but the visitors almost put a major dampener on the Storm’s preliminary-final plans and celebrations for skipper Cameron Smith’s record 356th NRL match.
Melbourne enjoy a week off while Parramatta next weekend will play the winner of today’s elimination final be- MELBOURNE Tries: Goals: PARRAMATTA Tries: Goals: tween North Queensland and Cronulla.
Trailing 10-4 at halftime, the Storm put on two tries within four minutes early in the second half to snatch back the lead and regain momen- tum. The first try was scored by Felise Kaufusi after the frantic Storm sent the ball through 13 pairs of hands on the final tackle.
Billy Slater then crossed for their second in the 50th min- ute after speedster Josh AddoCarr kicked a ball through into the in-goal for the fullback.
With those tries converted by Smith, Melbourne opened up a 16-10 lead. After a successful Smith penalty for the Storm to go ahead 18-10, the Eels were then back in the fight when winger Semi Radradra scored in the 66th minute to set up a thrilling finale.
Melbourne were quick out of the blocks with Addo-Carr touching down in the fourth minute after centre Curtis Scott had the better of his opposite Michael Jennings.
But the home side lost their way with the sin-binning of Cameron Munster in the 17th minute for a professional foul after tackling Kenny Edwards from an offside position.
The Eels scored two tries while Melbourne were a man down to set up their six-point halftime lead.
They first caught the Storm short out wide with Kirisome Auva’a crossing untouched, while their second came in the 31st minute when halfback Mitchell Moses flicked a nolook pass for fullback Will Smith to run through a hole.
Parramatta had two players – Manu Ma’u and Daniel Alvaro – put on report, which could hinder their finals’ hopes.