The Melbourne Storm secured a victory over the New Zealand Warriors, winning 38-24 at Go Media Stadium, and extending their winning streak against the Auckland team to 16 consecutive games.
Initially, the game appeared to be an easy victory for Andrew Webster’s team, as they led 14-0 within the first 18 minutes. A series of early penalties and set restarts by the Storm allowed the Warriors to dominate possession and position, embedding themselves deep in Melbourne’s territory.
Adam Pompey scored the first try within four minutes, followed by a brilliant flick pass from Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to Marcelo Montoya, who scored his first try of the night. By the 15-minute mark, the Warriors had 82% of the ball and had been tackled 19 times within the Storm’s 20-meter line. In contrast, Melbourne had only completed three sets and had to make significantly more tackles.
However, the game’s momentum shifted once the Storm reduced their errors and improved their discipline. Jahrome Hughes became increasingly influential throughout the first half, ending the opening 40 minutes with three try assists out of his team’s four tries. Fox League’s Corey Parker praised Hughes during the commentary, noting that he was “single-handedly picking apart the defensive line of the Warriors.”
The second half started similarly to the first, with the Warriors showing strong intensity in both offense and defense. Mitch Barnett managed to score a try by dragging three defenders over the line in the 45th minute, bringing the Warriors within reach of a comeback.
The game remained evenly poised until the Warriors suffered a double blow, with wingers Marcelo Montoya and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak being sin-binned in quick succession. This forced the Warriors to defend with only 11 men for a few minutes, giving Melbourne a significant advantage.
Taking full advantage, Melbourne’s electric fullback Sua Faalogo scored immediately after Montoya was sent off, followed by another try from Coates soon after DWZ’s sin-binning.
From there, Melbourne tightened their grip on the game. Jahrome Hughes, in particular, showcased his prowess, ensuring the Storm maintained control and ultimately secured the two points. This extended the Warriors’ wait for a victory over the Storm, their last win dating back to 2015.
Jahrome Hughes’ influence was pivotal. Initially quiet as the Warriors dominated, Hughes became instrumental in turning the game around for Melbourne. His perfectly executed kick led to Eli Katoa’s first try, and shortly after, another well-placed kick allowed Xavier Coates to set up Grant Anderson for a try.
As the game progressed, Hughes continued to challenge the Warriors’ defense, particularly with a pass that set up Katoa, who then assisted Nick Meaney for a try, giving Melbourne the lead. Corey Parker continued to commend Hughes, stating that he was “single-handedly picking apart the defensive line of the Warriors” and highlighting his leadership in the absence of Storm’s regular five-eighth.
In the second half, Hughes maintained his exceptional form, finishing the game with four try assists and three line break assists. His performance reaffirmed his status as one of the top halfbacks in the league.
Sua Faalogo also delivered a noteworthy performance, showcasing his potential as a first-grade player. Despite not being the first-choice fullback for Melbourne, a position held by the injured Ryan Papenhuyzen, Faalogo’s speed and agility make him an exciting player who can change the course of a game. His two tries, 110 meters run, and five tackle breaks against the Warriors underscored his talent.
This situation presents a dilemma for Melbourne’s coach Craig Bellamy. When Papenhuyzen returns, he is expected to reclaim the fullback position. However, Faalogo’s impressive performance makes it difficult to relegate him back to reserve grade. Balancing these two talents will be a challenge, though Melbourne has a history of effectively managing star players, as evidenced by their utilization of Brandon Smith and Harry Grant.
In conclusion, Melbourne’s victory over the Warriors highlighted Jahrome Hughes’ brilliance and presented a selection headache for Craig Bellamy with the emergence of Sua Faalogo. The Storm’s ability to adapt and capitalize on the Warriors’ disciplinary lapses secured their win, maintaining their dominance over the Auckland side.
