Storm and ref blow away Broncos
Melbourne Storm received the line-ball calls they craved six months ago to overcome the Broncos 28-18 in their NRL grand final rematch.
In a far cry from the scenes of the 2006 decider, it was Brisbane's fans seething at the refereeing as a string of decisions appeared to go the Storm's way at Suncorp Stadium.
Three of Melbourne's five tries - including two to livewire fullback Billy Slater - were clouded in controversy.
Referee Sean Hampstead was booed off the ground at half-time, with the visitors holding a 16-12 lead following a fast-paced but error-riddled first half.
The crowd was most irate at Hampstead's decision to immediately award a 19th-minute try to winger Steve Turner who lost the ball in placing it over the line after leaping over Brent Tate to field a Cooper Cronk cross-kick.
Slater's second try, awarded by video referee Phil Cooley after the fullback pounced on a Cameron Smith grubber in the 46th minute, left Broncos players stunned and helped the Storm to a 22-12 lead.
Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett had no issues with any of the handful of video ref calls but was critical of obstruction interpretations.
Slater's first try came following an obvious obstruction where Matt King even appeared to give himself up.
"Everybody is confused," Bennett said. They're all confused tonight. They (the NRL) need to work it out quickly."
Skipper Darren Lockyer said: "There's too many grey areas".
Melbourne's win leaves them unbeaten after seven matches to be on top of the NRL ladder.
The Storm can feel a sense of belated justice after the 2006 decider featured four crucial decisions that went the Broncos way to have a major impact on the match.
The player most hurt by October's grand final loss, Ryan Hoffman, a sobbing mess after full-time at Telstra Stadium, stood tall in a courageous effort.
The second-rower crossed for an early try, pulled off a try-saving tackle on winger Tate and returned in the second half after aggravating an ankle injury he sustained in training on Thursday night.
Late replacement Greg Inglis instantly made his presence known at five-eighth with the deft short ball to put Hoffman over in the third minute.
Inglis also produced a solo 70m run which Lockyer's labelled as the turning point that preceded a try to Israel Folau to make it 28-12 with 25 minutes left.
"I expected him to drift in and out of the game which he did but he came up with some trademark runs and a beautiful pass for Hoffy's try," said Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy.
"Not many guys can do that sort of thing."
While Inglis was a star for the Storm - along with Slater, scheming halfback Cronk and skipper Smith - Lockyer tried hard but had a night he'd rather forget after being heavily targeted.
The Test five-eighth, playing halfback, missed Hoffman to concede the first try, allowed Slater through for his second, and was off-key with his passing and kicking games due to the Storm's pressure.
The first 20 minutes had enough action and drama for a whole match as the Storm raced to a 16-6 lead but Bellamy was fuming his men allowed Brisbane back in with a try to Ben Hannant.
"I wasn't sure how they played the last 15 minutes (of the first half), how it would affect them mentally," he said.
"When I left the box I was going to give them a spray. Lucky it's a long walk. I gave them a firm message but not a spray, I'd cooled down."
1 Comments about this article
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7/7 WINS NOW THATS GOLDPosted by Kristy Naylor Sat Apr 28, 2007 12:28pm AEST
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