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The nightmare kept recurring.
The Warriors have lost to Melbourne in various ways over the years and this was another painful defeat.
Saturday night’s 38-24 defeat extended its losing streak to 16 games, dating back to 2015 – the longest such streak in the NRL.
Rocco Berry’s serious injury compounded the situation, while Marcelo Montoya and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak were also sent off in the second half.
The result was all the more upsetting because the Warriors got off to a hot start, leading 14-0 after 15 minutes, but things got progressively worse, with the Storm scoring four points in a 15-minute blitz in the first half and controlling the game from that point on.
The Warriors cut the deficit to two points midway through the second quarter, but the Storm looked the more likely winner.
The Warriors were in the lead for a while thanks to their strong defense, but this advantage did not last long.
The difference lies in the relative maturity of the two teams. The Warriors are on their way to becoming a great team, while the Storm have been a great team for nearly two decades. Their success is built on composure, intense defense, a great work ethic, and precision offense. They are also masters of the dark arts, which makes them such a tough opponent, and they are more capable of getting away with it than almost any other team.
That was proven again on Saturday, but they completely earned the win with some great defensive resilience.
New Zealand halfback Jahrome Hughes has been in fine form, while Eliesa Katoa has been impressive since returning to Mt Smart. The Warriors’ first choice is Marata Niukore as their halfbacks haven’t been in as good form as they have been in recent weeks.
The atmosphere was electric before the match started, with a huge sense of anticipation in the air. The 24,495 spectators arrived early at the Mt Smart Stadium, and the atmosphere was so heated that it felt like a test match.
The Warriors started like a tornado. They completely dominated possession and territory, and were unstoppable from the first attack. The Storm didn’t complete their first attack until the 13th minute, and spent most of the game defending the defense. Adam Pompey shot near the post in the 6th minute after constant pressure. After Pompey’s penalty, a back pass from Charnze Nicol-Klokstad – a stunning behind-the-back pass – sent Montoya into the corner.
But the Storm, as always, found a way to fight back, using accurate shooting and the Warriors’ lack of defensive alertness to allow Katoa and Grant Anderson to score. Katoa’s score released the pressure, and he stole the ball from Pompey, and Melbourne began to power.
Their third try summed up their threat: brilliant deception from Harry Grant, perfect passing between Hughes and winger Dean Iremia in wide spaces. There was something of a shock to the crowd when they scored their fourth, Nick Meaney giving them an unexpected lead at half-time after Katoa got away from Hughes.
After the break, the Warriors came back with renewed energy. Mitch Barnett celebrated his new contract with a goal of pure strength and courage, then Niukore nearly scored but was stopped by a brilliant tackle. The Warriors upped the ante defensively with some hard knocks but the game soon turned.
A Jazz Tevaga attack was nearly saved by the bunker, and then Montoya was awarded a penalty for consecutive fouls, which led to a slam attempt by Sualauvi Faalogo.
The game was over when Watney Zelezniak was also sent off for a coat-hanger tackle, with Xavier Coates doing well in a 11-man defence. Montoya’s try gave the game some hope before Falogo sealed the win for Melbourne.
Warriors 24 (Marcelo Montoya 2, Adam Pompey, Mitch Barnett try; Adam Pompey 2 pitch, pen throw, Chanel Harris-Taveta throw)
Storm 38 (Eliesa Katoa, Grant Anderson, Dean Ieremia, Nick Meaney, Sualauvi Fa’alogo 2, Xavier Coates tries; Nick Meaney 5 against)
HT: 14-20
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