Storm Roll Over Cowboys in Dominant Display
Honestly, the Melbourne Storm absolutely crushed the North Queensland Cowboys last night at AAMI Park. The final score? A pretty decisive 38-14 in favour of the home team. It was a performance that showcased the Storm's class, especially given the Origin context hanging over the match.
Bellamy's Boys Bring the Heat
It was a great night to be a Storm supporter. Craig Bellamy, who just signed a contract extension taking him through to 2026 (his 24th season!), celebrated in style. This win was his 410th as Storm coach – a truly remarkable achievement. You could feel the energy in the stadium; everyone was buzzing.
The game itself? Well, Jahrome Hughes was simply sensational. Two tries and a hand in a bunch of others. He was everywhere. Cameron Munster also had a strong game, and forwards like Eliesa Katoa and Stefano Utoikamanu laid a solid platform up front.
Origin Rivalry Takes Centre Stage
With Game Two of the State of Origin series looming, and team announcements due this week, the match had an extra layer of intensity. Both teams boasted a serious amount of Origin talent. For the Storm, we saw the likes of Xavier Coates, Munster, Harry Grant, and Trent Loiero. The Cowboys countered with Tom Dearden, Jeremiah Nanai, and Reuben Cotter, plus NSW Blues representative Reece Robson. It was a real clash of titans, you know?
Despite the Cowboys' recent strong record against the Storm (they'd won the last three meetings), this was a different story. The Storm haven't lost at home all season, and they weren't about to start now.
Turning Points and Late Surge
The Storm raced out to an early lead, thanks in part to some slick play from Hughes and some powerful runs from Katoa. The Cowboys did manage to claw their way back into the game in the second half with a couple of quick tries. It felt like there might be a comeback, for a second. But honestly, Melbourne had too much firepower.
- Hughes’ incredible performance was the highlight, scoring two tries and setting up others.
- The late try by Tyran Wishart, sealed the deal.
- The Cowboys' fightback made it interesting for a bit, but ultimately wasn't enough.
Ultimately, Nelson Asofa-Solomona's powerful try, followed by a Papenhuyzen penalty goal, and then Wishart's late try really put the game beyond doubt. It was a strong final quarter from the Storm that secured a convincing victory.
What's Next?
The Storm look unstoppable at the moment, while the Cowboys will need to reflect on this loss and regroup. The Origin announcements will definitely add another layer to the upcoming weeks. For now, though, it's a big win for Bellamy and the Storm.
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