Manly’s finals hopes are on life support after they blew a double-digit lead to lose to the undermanned Storm in Perth, with key forward Taniela Paseka facing a stint on the sidelines after he left the field with a knee injury.
And Melbourne is now set to have Cam Munster available for their next game despite him being banned earlier on Sunday.
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The Sea Eagles were in third spot after 15 rounds but have fallen down to tenth after they slumped to a fifth loss on the trot, with the Storm coming from 14 points down to cruise to a 42-20 victory.
It’s a stunning fall from grace for the Sea Eagles who looked so impressive under Kieran Foran, with the rookie coach needing to conjure a miracle if they are to sneak into the top eight.
They still have to play the Dolphins, Knights and Warriors in the final four rounds, with superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic set to return from injury next week.
But they will be without Paseka after the giant prop came off after 25 minutes with a right knee injury, with early indications that he heard a pop and did damage to his MCL.
“I don’t think it’s too good, but we’ll just wait until we get a scan on it,” Foran said.
Things started so well for Manly who raced out to a 14-0 lead with Haumole Olakau’atu unstoppable in the early exchanges, but they capitulated in the second half to all but end their finals hopes.
They have other concerns with Corey Waddell and Tolu Koula both on report.
JUDICIARY WATCH
Cameron Munster was initially facing a one-match ban for dangerous contact on Manly prop Taniela Paseka in the 24th minute when the MRC delivered its verdict on Sunday morning.
However, the NRL has confirmed that the decision has now been overturned after the Sea Eagles offered preliminary details of Paseka’s injury.
He now faces a $750 if he accepts the early guilty plea.
“When initially ascribing a grading to Melbourne Storm’s Cameron Munster for the charge of Dangerous Contact, the MRC considered the contents of a Medical Report provided by the injured player’s Club which offered preliminary details as to the nature and extent of the injury,” an NRL statement read.
“Subsequently, the Match Review Committee has received a further report which materially alters the nature and extent of the injury suffered by the player.
“Pursuant to Rule 61 of the NRL Judiciary Code, where further expert or medical information warrants a different grading, the Match Review Committee may authorise the Match Review Manager to amend the grading and issue an amended Notice of Charge.
“Following due consideration of this Report, the Match Review Committee has reviewed the charge against Cameron Munster and, in accordance with the Judiciary Code, has forwarded the player an amended Notice of Charge for the offence of Dangerous Contact (Grade 1).”
Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown was put on report and sent to the sin bin in first half for a late tackle which saw Blake Wilson off for a Head Injury Assessment. He was not charged, however.
Jason Saab was placed on report for a late tackle late in the second half. He has just one high tackle charge in Round 4 on his record and is facing a $1800 fine.
FUTURE IS NOW
The Storm’s finals streak is dead, but they are going to be a nightmare for opposition teams in the final few weeks of the season.
It’s been a brutal year for Craig Bellamy’s side who have superstars Eli Katoa, Harry Grant, Xavier Coates and Jahrome Hughes on the sidelines.
But the future is bright for Melbourne with rising star Sua Faalogo dominating out west with a try and three assists, while youngster Hayden Watson celebrated his contract extension with a superb solo try in just his second game.
Faalogo kicked the Storm into gear with a chip kick to set up Tyran Wishart for their first, dazzled the defence with his fancy footwork to put Oryn Keeley over, and then backed up a break the following set to continue the rout.
Melbourne’s completion rate was down to just 42 per cent at one stage, but they somehow turned it around with 42 unanswered points to romp home.
“The real plus for me today was those young blokes, when we got to 14-nil down, they didn’t go into their shells,” Bellamy said.
“We’re certainly not giving up. But whether we can make it (finals) or we can’t make it, it just relies on that. We just take that out of the picture and we just need to prepare well, and then play well, and see what happens from there.”
BEST IN THE WEST
It was a special day in Perth with the locals getting an early taste of what the footy will look like in 2027.
A day after the Bears unveiled their home jersey, they got to see one of their signings cross the line when Wishart got over.
Coach Mal Meninga headlined a number of key Perth officials at HBF Park as hype continues to build ahead of their first season in the NRL.
COACH BOOST
There were fears legendary coach Craig Bellamy may have been forced into early retirement, but the Storm mentor will go around again in 2027 which is music to Cameron Munster’s ears.
The five-eighth returned from injury and explained just how much Bellamy means to the Storm.
“He is the club,” he said.
“He’s been here since ‘03, started here, and I think that gives a lot of the players a lot of confidence.
“He’s determined to keep going. I know we’re going through a tough time, probably in foreign territory for us not making finals, but there’s definitely one thing that he hasn’t shied away from and that’s his care.”
STAT ATTACK (via Fox Lab)
Expected Set Points: Sea Eagles 27.7, Storm 24.0
After completing almost 85 per cent of their sets through 30 minutes, Manly threw the game away completing just 11 of their next 20 sets. Melbourne capitalised with several long range tries and ran away with the game, scoring 42 consecutive points after trailing 14-0.
Storm snap a three-game losing streak – just their third win from 11 games away from AAMI Park this season. Have scored more than 40 points in five of their nine wins this season.
Manly still stuck on 999 wins after a very poor performance. Five straight losses, have conceded 128 points in their past three starts. Have not won away from Brookvale since round 11 – also five straight losses.
Just Melbourne’s third win from their past eight games against Manly. Their nine wins against them since late in 2019 all by double figures.
Manly won the penalties 7-6 and the set restarts 7-3. They made five linebreaks to four.
Fox Lab POTM – Sua Fa’alogo tore the Sea Eagles to shreds once Storm got rolling just before half time. He scored a try, set up three others and ran for over 130 metres, despite missing game time for a HIA.
Originally published as NRL rocked by Cameron Munster ban U-turn hours after announcing punishment