RECORD-BREAKERS RUN DRAGONS RAGGED
MELBOURNE Storm put in another impressive performance to thrash the Dragons 42-6 at AAMI Park.
The Storm broke an 87year-old record, now having scored the most points through nine rounds in the history of the competition.
The 1935 Roosters team were the previous holders of the record.
The Storm spine of Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen were again outstanding, but star fullback Papenhuyzen was taken from the field early, suffering right knee and left hamstring injuries.
Without Papenhuyzen, Munster ran the show, scoring a try and recording a try assist, six tackle breaks and three line breaks.
Since Anzac Day, the Storm have racked up 162 points in dominant displays against the Warriors, Knights and Dragons.
Anthony Griffin’s men held the Storm to only 12-0 at halftime, but Craig Bellamy’s side do not hold off and went about dismantling the St George Illawarra defence.
In one positive moment for the Dragons, young gun Junior Amone danced across the field, finding Jack de Belin, who sliced through a hole and record his side’s only points of the night.
Bellamy has a reputation for taking solid players and turning them into superstars in the Melbourne system and has now created another gun.
In the off-season, the Storm acquired former Bulldogs winger Nick Meaney and veteran coach Bellamy has revitalised the speedster playing outside star halves Munster and Hughes.
The 24-year-old has been on fire for his new club, scoring six tries in eight games, and he sliced the Dragons defence apart.
Meaney recorded 149 running metres, a try, a try assist, three tackle breaks and one line break.
While playing outside arguably the competition’s best side might be considered an easy task, Meaney’s individual form has been nothing short of brilliant to start the season.
Papenhuyzen became just the fourth player in NRL history to score a try in 10 consecutive games.
The Storm star has scored 11 tries from nine games and again was threatening the Dragons’ line for the first 25 minutes of their AAMI Park clash.
But, after being dragged over the sideline from a kick return, Papenhuyzen came up grabbing his right knee.
In the second half, Papenhuyzen stayed on the field and scored his second try, but hobbled off after clutching at his left hamstring.
Papenhuyzen has been one of the competition’s best players and will be a huge loss if one of his injuries requires time off the field.
The Storm meet premiers Penrith in a Magic Round blockbuster on Saturday.