Not only did Saturday night\u2019s 38-14 home loss to the Warriors mark Melbourne\u2019s fourth defeat on the bounce, but it also snapped a 17-match winning streak they had enjoyed over the Aucklanders.<\/p>\n
The Storm currently sit in 13th position and are looking increasingly likely to miss their first finals series since 2010 \u2013 the year they were unable to compete for premiership points after being caught systemically cheating the salary cap.<\/p>\n
Bellamy was justifiably livid with his side\u2019s performance at AAMI Park. Their ill-discipline gifted the Warriors valuable attacking opportunities across the 80 minutes. <\/p>\n
Likewise, their usually methodical attack was completely shut down by some ferocious tackling.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the first time I\u2019ve ever seen them overpowered,\u201d remarked Fox Sports commentator Michael Ennis.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s as physical a domination of Melbourne as perhaps we\u2019ve ever seen in a regular season game,\u201d added Andrew Voss.<\/p>\n
Soft tries to Ali Leiataua and Marata Niukore gave the visitors a 12-2 lead after 15 minutes, and while the Storm rallied to lead 14-12 at the 24-minute mark, an almost comical try to Dallin Watene-Zelezniak turned the pendulum back towards the visitors.<\/p>\n
Down 18-14 at the break, the Storm continued to spiral during the second stanza. <\/p>\n
A procession of penalties and set restarts allowed Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to stroll over for the Warriors\u2019 third try in the 44th minute, before NSW Origin hopeful Jackson Ford barged over from short range to make it 30-14 three minutes later.<\/p>\n
After being called up to replace the injured Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Leiataua played the game of his life. It was his flying catch of a Chanel Harris-Tavita kick that set up Watene-Zelezniak\u2019s second, and ultimately put the game out of the Storm\u2019s reach.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Oh No, Joe!<\/p>\n
Storm Backrower Joe Chan won\u2019t want to watch this game back. <\/p>\n
The Warriors exploited his defensive fragilities on the left edge multiple times during the first half, and he subsequently copped a spray from Bellamy at the halftime break. Chan continued to struggle during the second stanza and was promptly hooked.<\/p>\n
Wayde\u2019s World<\/p>\n
Wayde Egan showed his Origin credentials with a strong showing at hooker for the Warriors. His soft hands at dummy-half laid on two great tries for the Warriors, while he also made a solid 25 tackles in the middle. Reece Robson may be the incumbent number nine for the Blues, but Egan certainly wouldn\u2019t look out of place.<\/p>\n