The Storm have shot out to a 22-0 lead over the Dolphins — their second-biggest first-half lead of the season — as they close in on the minor premiership.
It took 19 minutes for the first try of the match to be score but then they came thick and fast after that.
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MATCH CENTRE: Storm v Dolphins scores, stats, live blog
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Sua Fa’alogo — who was a late pomotion to the wing — got over first in the corner, before the Storm extended their lead through skipper Harry Grant.
The two tries softened the blow of losing Nelson Asofa-Solomona — who was celebrating his 200th NRL game — to a cork. However in a promising sign, the star prop returned to the bench after receiving treatment in the sheds.
Things then went from bad to worse for the Dolphins, who in the final five minutes of the first half had Felise Kaufusi sin-binned and lost Kodi Nikorima to concussion.
The Storm capitalised off the one-man advantage by running in two tries in three minutes.
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MATCH PREVIEW
The Melbourne Storm can go one step closer to wrapping up the 2024 minor premiership with a win over the Dolphins at AAMI Park.
After the Panthers lost against the Raiders in the earlier Saturday game, the Storm just have to win and the J.J Giltinan Shield is theirs.
While heavily favoured against the out-of-form Dolphins, it won’t be a walkover for the Storm, considering Wayne Bennett’s men are playing to stay alive in the finals race.
The Dolphins will move into eighth with a win, but could lose their spot in the eight if the Dragons win on Sunday.
Both coaches have made key changes ahead of kick-off. For the Storm, Sua Fa’alogo will start on the wing, while Christian Welch returns from a back injury via the bench. And for the Dolphins, Tevita Pangai Junior is out with a hamstring injury.
TEAMS
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 14. Sualauvi Faalogo 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 5. Tyran Wishart 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Alec MacDonald 22. Christian Welch. 18th man: 19. Kane Bradley
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Max Plath 16. Ray Stone 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich 14. Oryn Keeley 15. Mark Nicholls 17. Sean O’Sullivan 22. Josh Kerr. 18th man: 18. Mason Teague
