Storm looking clinical
June 1st 2008 03:17
Storm players celebrate a fine victory against the Bulldogs
From the time they got to Olympic park in Melbourne, the Bulldogs were never going to win last night.
Missing the likes of Utai, Williams, Holdsworth and Patten, the Bulldogs were literally stripped to the bones of their player roster and were always going to be there for the taking against a red-hot Melbourne outfit.
Unfortunetly for Canterbury, the Storm concured.
Although the Bulldogs had their opportunities early in the game, it was always going to be the case of the Storm by how many.
From the opening stanza of the match, the Bulldogs showed why they were going to get hammered by the most lethal team in the competition.
There was no order or structure when the Dog's had the ball and that in the end layed the platform for what was going to be a very long evening down at the graveyard.
Despite the early resistance from the Doggies, Melbourne captain Cameron Smith eventually broke the stalemate in a game that was always going to bay blood for the home side.
From then on in, the Storm were in control and the likes of Slater and Smith were now starting to enjoy themselves. The score could have been anything.
Prior to the start of the match, the Storm were such strong favourites, they could've been forgiven for playing the game in any manner they pleased.
Not many sides can boost the Storm's superior firepower out wide and strong defence up the middle. Coach Craig Bellamy has the nucleus of a side that just keeps performing like a V8 Monaro on the M7.
even though the intensity was not at it's prime, the Storm still displayed to all why they have been the benchmark for the past couple of seasons.
No matter what's infront of them, Melbourne will go out and do their job with little hesitance or mercy in regards to their opposition.
If they are in front by 40 or are playing in a Grand Final, the Storm keep applying the perfect structure in both defence and attack, a change in pattern non existant.
It has now come to a stage where the result by the Storm yesterday just did not surprise any who watched.
Many pundits expected a big victory by the Melbourne side and they got it no questions asked.
After an inconsistent start to the season, the Storm are now looking formidable once again.
Although the Bulldogs were minus several stars, Melbourne just played the football they know best and it put the Doggies in postion of submission.
Although the likes of Andrew Ryan and Reni Maitua performed well for the Bullldogs, they simply were never in a positon to dominate proceedings.
Storm forward Jeremy Smith was one of many players to benefit from the exodus of the stars the Bulldogs had on the night.
Smith carted the ball up, no strings attached, and proved a constant menace, setting up a try and hitting the advantage line with force and verve.
After Crocker's recent agreement to join the Super League in England, Smith will most likely get an upgraded contract to stay at the reigning premiers.
Smith, after all, has become one of the unsung heroes in a Storm machine that doesn't look like slowing down anytime soon.
After 12 rounds of the competition, the Storm are now starting to click into top gear that will most likely see them contesting a third straight grand final.
Unless someone can put a holt to their recent form, Craig Bellamy's men look set to ride high once again in season 2008.
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