Melbourne survived a late scare from a fast-finishing Bulldogs side to hold on for a 20-14 victory of the Bulldogs at AAMI Park tonight.
It what proved to be a bona fide semi-final preview, the game was a real arm wrestle with Melbourne doing enough to secure a fifth straight win and all but secure a home semi final in Week 1 of the upcoming finals series.
The Storm were terrific in defence, with centre Nick Meaney and Eli Katoa frustrating the attacking threat of Matt Burton and Villiame Kikau time and time again in what ended up proving the difference between the sides.
Melbourne will be sweating on the Match Review Committee’s ruling tomorrow morning, after Harry Grant was sent to the Sin Bin for a blatant shoulder charge just after halftime.
Canterbury will rue missed opportunities as they bombed two tries with both Jacob Kiraz and backrower Harry Hayes losing the ball at the death as they looked to have scored a decisive try in the second half. While skipper Stephen Crichton also went desperately close to snatching onto a kick with minutes remaining only to lose possession.
The home side came into the game as warm favourites and despite some strong defence early, Melbourne managed to get on the scoreboard first when makeshift half Tyran Wishart broke the Bulldogs defensive line to send his backrower Eliesa Katoa over for the first try of the night.
Canterbury continued to ask questions of the Melbourne defensive line and they were provided with strong answers time and time again. Back-to-back errors then cost the Bulldogs as the Storm were gifted perfect field position for Ryan Papenhuyzen to slice through to score and give his side a 12-0 lead at the break.
Canterbury needed to get on the scoreboard first in the second half and they did just that, when hooker Bailey Hayward burrowed over from dummy half. Stephen Crichton converted to narrow the lead to 12-6.
Storm skipper Harry Grant then found himself in trouble with the officials, when he was sent to the Sin Bin for a shoulder charge.
Canterbury looked to have had their second try in just eight minutes but the replay showed winger Jacob Kiraz lost the ball after appearing certain to score.
Moments later and despite being a man down, Storm half Jonah Pezet kicked across field for Xavier Coates to score an easy try to give the home side momentum.
Canterbury to their credit didn’t give up and continued to pepper the Storm line and they were rewarded following a clever offload from Marcelo Montoya to allow Viliame Kikau to crash over.
Melbourne were then awarded a penalty against Bailey Hayward for holding onto to Cameron Munster too long in the tackle and they extended their lead.
Canterbury again rallied, as Stephen Crichton and Connor Tracey combined to put Jacob Kiraz over untouched in the corner to create a grandstand finish.
The Bulldogs continued to push forward and with minutes remaining skipper Stephen Crichton went close to holding onto a kick but was ruled to have knocked on and Melbourne held on to a well-deserved win in front of their home fans.
Melbourne now face the Roosters back at AAMI Park next Friday night, while Canterbury host Penrith at Accor Stadium on Thursday night to kick off Round 26.
Melbourne Storm 20 – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 14
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne / Wurundjeri
Crowd: 25693
Halftime Score: Melbourne Storm 12 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 0
LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points – Eliesa Katoa
2 points – Nick Meaney
1 points – Viliame Kikau
MELBOURNE STORM (20)
Tries: Eliesa Katoa, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Xavier Coates
Field Goals: Ryan Papenhuyzen (0/1)
Conversions: Nick Meaney (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Nick Meaney (1/1)
CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (14)
Tries: Bailey Hayward, Viliame Kikau, Jacob Kiraz
Conversions: Stephen Crichton (1/3)
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