Game 737 – S28E26 Review
Melbourne Storm 10–40 Sydney Roosters
Well that was no fun at all as Melbourne decided that defence in the second half was optional.
Melbourne – 10 (Blore 22', Anderson 37' tries; Papenhuyzen 1/2 goals)
Sydney – 40 (Nawaqanitawase 46', 64', 67', 71', Wong 54', Toia 77', Tedesco 79' tries; Smith 6/7 goals)
I wouldn’t bother with the highlights this week.
Post match quotes
To a coach that really hates losing, celebrating a milestone like 600 games with that kind of performance:
The lack of effort was the thing that stood out for me. It was a little bit like last week — we didn’t play so well in the second half either, but we were, I don’t know. I can think of a coupe of words, but I probably can’t say them.
On that second half, that was 40 nil in a half of footy. That’s embarrassing. So that’s about the nicest word I could use.
Obviously the Roosters are a good side, they’ve got some really good attacking players, but we were soft as butter in the second half.
I really can’t say how disappointed I am in that performance, especially coming at this time of year.
I don’t know whether we’re going out there a little complacent, again I’m not sure why we’ve had a couple of really poor second halves. There’s a pattern there.
The one in which Melbourne decided to suck
Well then, let’s keep this brief.
To say this game started well, that’d be a lie. Todd Smith conjured up a call against Stefano Utoikamanu to progress the narrative in the opening minute. Melbourne’s defence was able to stand up then and from then…
The match moved as so often Storm versus Roosters matches do into a grinding phase…
Except there were signs. Errors. Penalties. Effort and discipline were in short supply.1
Melbourne’s first try for the night came on the back of a couple of clear-cut penalties and a fast play-the-ball that gave Ryan Papenhuyzen the impetus to find a running Shawn Blore to score his second try of the season. It was a nice bit of play from Paps to play was was in front of him and demand the ball from Bronson Garlick.
With points on the board, Melbourne went back to attack via that left edge where the Storm looked dangerous, but errors.2 As the first half wore on, the Roosters had more chances that the Storm were able to stop with some solid defence, and the introduction of Jonah Pezet looked to focus Melbourne’s attack.3
Probably the best moment of the match for Melbourne fans — Alec MacDonald rampaging down the field in open space after making a line break from a Munster inside ball. If only he had some support. Pezet took advantage of the Roosters broken defensive formation to kick for Will Warbrick to push it back to Grant Anderson in the air. That was nice.
Then the second half happened.4
The Roosters middle forwards had the upper hand and their playmakers were able to use the space afforded to them to create. Comparatively Melbourne played lethargic and lazy football. There’s at least a couple of Storm players who probably have played themselves out of further opportunities this season. It will be interesting to see the ramifications of this match when some hard decisions need to be made.
In the second half Melbourne had seven play-the-balls in the Roosters half, none inside the red zone. The Storm’s completion rate was 50% with seven handling errors.
That’s all you need to know.
Stat offloads
Melbourne have won now lost two matches with a final score of 40–10, having lost to the Wests Tigers by that score back in 2001. Melbourne have won three matches with that final score, including the 2009 preliminary final against the Broncos.
Melbourne conceded 40 or more points for the 22nd time in club history and for the second time this season. The last time Melbourne conceded 40 or more points twice in a season was 2003. The last time the Storm conceded 40 points at AAMI Park was against the Raiders in 2012.
The two losses this season where Melbourne have conceded 40 points came after the Storm led at half time.
Of the 40 matches that Melbourne have led at half time and lost the match, four have come in 2025, equalling the four times that happened in 2015 as the most in one season.
The 40 points scored by the Roosters in the second half is the most conceded by the Storm, eclipsing the 36 points scored by Parramatta in 2001.
Mark Nawaqanitawase became the second player to score four tries in a match against Melbourne after Alex Johnston did that earlier this season.
Was it worth it?
It was frigid. Thankfully the bipolar weather from during the day cleared up just enough, leaving behind an Antarctic blast of cold air. Maybe they should have saved the fireworks and this thing to use on the players after the match.
The temperatures also saw a slightly reduced attendance figure. Maybe with two upcoming home finals, that average can tick closer to 22,000 for the 2025 season.5
Was amused by the Roosters wearing all white too. As someone who likes and subscribes to omens, maybe it was all over for the Storm from the moment the visitors went down that path.
0/10
Storm Machine Player of the Year
Really felt like pulling this stunt for the first time.
Instead, I’m giving the returning Will Warbrick a point because he didn’t do anything wrong and he and Grant Anderson were able to shut down the Roosters on that side of the field. Anderson probably also could have been afforded a point, but nah.
Round 26 points:
1 – Will Warbrick
Leaderboard
24 – Eliesa Katoa
16 – Cameron Munster
15 – Harry Grant, Trent Loiero
13 – Ryan Papenhuyzen
12 – Jahrome Hughes, Xavier Coates
8 – Stefano Utoikamanu
7 – Shawn Blore
6 – Josh King
4 – Grant Anderson, Nick Meaney
3 – Sualauvi Fa’alogo, Jack Howarth, Tyran Wishart
2 – Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Alec MacDonald, Kane Bradley
1 – Joe Chan, Bronson Garlick, Ativalu Lisati, Jonah Pezet, Will Warbrick
Around the grounds
Jersey Flegg Cup — Melbourne Storm 22–52 Parramatta Eels
The minor premiers rested a bunch of their regulars and it showed against the Eels.
Queensland Cup — Sunshine Coast Falcons 14–38 Burleigh Bears
A bludger of a Sunday for the Falcons. The Bears led 28–0 at half time and the Falcons shot at the top four was done. Burleigh secured the minor premiership with the win and the Falcons look headed for the exits in the finals. Sua Fa’alogo played the first 60 minutes and didn’t do much that would warrant a recall to first grade unless Paps is being rested against the Broncos.
Queensland Cup — Wynnum Manly Seagulls 22–14 Brisbane Tigers
With the Jets losing to the Magpies as they took the field, the Tigers had the door ajar to the final eight. They blew it. It looked good early, Keagan Russell-Smith scored and Jodeci Baker also scored a try for the Tigers to lead 10–0 inside ten minutes. Their lead was cut to four points before the break and they were behind soon after. Tony Thompson briefly restored a two-point lead, but the Seagulls did enough in the final 20 minutes to take the points and put an end to the Tigers campaign.
NSW Cup — North Sydney Bears 54–6 Parramatta Eels
The Bears season ended on a high note with a big win. Good for them.
Next up
Round 27 vs Brisbane Broncos – Thursday 4 September 2025, 7:50pm @ Suncorp Stadium
Did that kind of loss throw a spanner in the resting players plan for next week? Quite possibly yes. I think it’s safe to assume that Jahrome Hughes will be back, but will many of the players who gave up 40 points in a half of footy be suiting up against the Broncos, in what is now a needed tune-up for the finals? That will be interesting to see…
Unless Melbourne want to ensure the Broncos finish fourth and to send them to Canberra instead…
Preview post online Thursday.
As was a competent referee, but Todd Smith lacks that anyway.
Did enjoy the falcon incurred by Trent Loiero.
How Angus Crichton wasn’t sin binned before half time was poor from Todd Smith.
Melbourne’s win percentage at the 45th minute reached 94%. So this is what the other five percent feels like.
But given the NRL are useless at marketing and selling finals tickets to Victorians, I’m doubtful.