Melbourne record 28-6 win over Penrith in masterful defensive display

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• April 1st 2017
• 17 hours ago
• /video/video.news.com.au/Sport/NRL/

NRL: Round 5, Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers at AAMI Park, 1st April, Melbourne Australia. Josh Addo-Carr of the Melbourne Storm try run late in the match. Picture: George Salpigtidis

INJURIES have never been used as an excuse at Melbourne Storm.

When Billy Slater – the game’s best fullback - missed the better part of two years, Storm just got on with it and made a grand final without him.

Slater’s return this year has felt __like a luxury rather than a collective thought of “Thank God for that” from Storm supporters.

Although, just quietly, he is getting sharper by the week.

The famous Storm system has always been about more than individuals, and this game was another case in point.

No Cameron Munster.

No Jordan McLean and still no Tohu Harris.

Melbourne dominated the flashy Panthers.Source:News Corp Australia

Beyond the short-term injury losses, premiership back-rower Kevin Proctor left at the end of last season.

So did pivot Blake Green, and hardened winger Marika Koroibete.

That’s a fair chunk of experience and talent walking out the door from a team that came within a whisker of winning the 2016 premiership.

No worries; Felise Kaufusi and Kenny Bromwich were there and ready to step up.

For Cooper Cronk’s new halves partner, they found another likely young lad in Ryley Jacks.

For the wing, Josh Addo-Carr is far from a finished product but he’s got plenty of upside.

And he has pace to burn, which was on full display when he ran 80m to land the knockout blow last night.

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This has been Storm’s modus operandi for many years; It just gets on with it and keeps finding a way to win, just __like it did last night.

The 28-6 victory – which was built on brilliant defence - was Melbourne’s fifth in a row to maintain its unbeaten start to the season.

The win meant skipper Cameron Smith passed Darren Lockyer’s record for the most wins in NRL history with 238.

“I thought the first half was a high-quality game, but in the second half there were a few errors and we struggled with the ball but I thought our defence was outstanding,” Storm coach Craig Bellamy said.

Penrith had a mountain of possession but could only score a single try.Source:Getty Images

“They throw a lot at you because they’re a real skilful team, but I thought we put a lot pressure on ourselves and it was a real resilient performance.

“It is a real special night for our club with Cameron winning more NRL games than any other player in the history of the game.

“That’s a pretty big thing I reckon…and we’re very proud.”

Storm dominated early with centre Will Chambers in everything.

First he cleverly dished off to Suliasi Vunivalu for the opening try and then the next he went himself to give Melbourne a 10-0 start.

Penrith lifted late in the first half and made it a one-try game when Te Maire Martin danced his way over the try line.

At the resumption, a crafty offload from Dale Finucane allowed Cronk to speed away for a runaway try.

Penrith threw everything at Storm in the final 20 minutes, but the home side’s famous purple defensive wall would not budge.

Originally published as Storm smack Penrith to stay unbeaten