It was the match of the round, a game that pitted the only two unbeaten NRL teams against each other, with only one team able to come out on top – that team, was the Melbourne Storm.
The Storm proved that they are the competition heavyweights and the team to beat, as they are now the only undefeated side in the NRL, after beating the South Sydney Rabbitohs in a fantastic contest, taking the game out 17-10.
In regards to their completion rate, the Bunnies were near flawless apart from two dropped balls. Those two dropped balls led to Storm tries, showing just how clinical they are and how well they take advantage of errors.
Souths, in true form under their coach Michael Maguire dug deep and never gave in, with the loud, boisterous crowd of 32,671 full of enthusiasm and voice in support of their side.
The game turned on its head late on and could have affected the outcome of the game, with Billy Slater sent to the sin-bin after a try-saving tackle on Nathan Merritt – but Souths were unable to take advantage, as the Storm’s resolute defence held firm.
What bodes as a scary proposition for the rest of the NRL, is that Storm skipper Cameron Smith says that his side is yet to really hit their straps in 2013.
“Being 6-0 is a pretty good spot to be in leading into all this rep footy,” Smith said.
“The good thing about the way we’re going about things is we’re not satisfied with the way we’re playing at the moment.
“Obviously we’re very pleased with the results, but we’ve still got our best footy ahead of us.
“You can still feel out on the field that we’re a little bit off the mark with the things we want to do.”
Maguire was honest in his assessment post-game, and said that the Storm’s win shows just how far ahead they are of all other teams in the competition.
“It came down to moments in the game which the Storm have been doing for a long, long time – they take their opportunities when they arise,” Maguire said.
“We’re building as a group – each week we’re taking lessons as we go.”
3. Cooper Cronk
2. Ryan Hinchcliffe
1. Sam Burgess