Melbourne down Canberra 22-10 on the back of a Suliasi Vunivalu hat-trick

Melbourne have gone back to back to start the season, downing Canberra 22-10 with Suliasi Vunivalu scoring a dazzling early treble.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 22: Suliasi Vunivalu of the Storm flys through the air as he scores a try during the round two NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and the Melbourne Storm at GIO Stadium on March 22, 2019 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

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When they lost the grand final last year, many predicted the Melbourne Storm would be heading for a fall in 2019 without Billy Slater.

But it’s been the perfect start so far, and Cameron Smith can do no wrong.

The man rated arguably the greatest player in the game’s history produced another mesmerising performance on Friday night to lead his team to a comprehensive 22-10 victory over Canberra.

In what was billed as a test of credibility for Ricky Stuart’s Raiders following last week’s impressive 21-0 win over Gold Coast, the home team never really stood a chance after first half hat-trick to flying winger Suliasi Vunivalu.

Vunivalu scored three tries in the first half. Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images.

“THE ENTERTAINERS”

There was a time not so long ago when you couldn’t watch Melbourne without focussing on their wrestle.

But the way Craig Bellamy has them playing this year deserves tremendous credit.

Last night Vunivalu reaped the rewards for a first half onslaught with three touchdowns before the break.

But it was the result of some really slick ball playing that cut Canberra’s left edge defence to shreds with Smith, Brodie Croft and Curtis Scott combining brilliantly.

The Raiders showed some fight after trailing 14-0 at halftime to put some respectability in the scoreboard with Jarrod Croker coming up with a well-deserved double.

But Melbourne was clearly the better side on the night and its sets up what should be a round three ripper in Bathurst next Saturday night against Penrith.

Vunivalu was asked after the game if last year’s grand final defeat was driving his team’s desire, but he told Fox Sports: “Not really. Last year is last year. we have a lot of new players this year and a lot of young players coming up. (This) is nothing about last year.”

It was a clinical performance from the Storm. AAP Image/Rohan Thompson.

AGE WON’T WEARY SMITH

Smith was incredible first-up against Brisbane. And on Friday night the Storm skipper produced another sublime performance as he orchestrated a first half avalanche of points, while finishing with a game-high 43 tackles.

Up against the game’s next best hooker Josh Hodgson, Smith was at his cunning best as he continually darted out of dummy half and got the Raiders on the back foot right from the start of the game.

Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith shows no signs of slowing down. Picture: Getty Images

He also came up with a huge play when with kick pressure on Aidan Sezer that forced one kick out on the full.

At 35, Smith is showing no signs of slowing up.

And for everyone who thought the retirement of Slater could mean the end of the Storm being a premiership force this year, think again.

Melbourne looked a class above throughout. AAP Image/Rohan Thompson.

FINUCANE MADE FOR ORIGIN

Big Steve “Blocker” Roach was full of praise for Melbourne lock Dale Finucane on Friday night in Fox League commentary.

And I will tell you another thing, Roach reckons Finucane is exactly the type of player who wouldn’t look out of place in a NSW jumper.

With Jack de Belin out of contention, there has been plenty of early debate as to the available options for Brad Fittler.

Canberra’s Corey Horsburgh tries to wrap up Melbourne’s Dale Finucane on Friday night. Picture: AAP

Young South Sydney tearaway Cam Murray has certainly done everything in his power to push his case and Finucane has been just as exceptional to start the season.

Sometimes he gets lost in the debate because he doesn’t play for a Sydney club.

But Finucane was the only Melbourne forward to make more than 100m in the grand final last year.

And on Friday night he again led the way with 121m before the break, and he finished with 178m and 30 tackles, by far the most metres of any forward on the field.

RAIDERS’ REALITY CHECK

There was plenty made of Canberra’s first up 21-0 shut-out of Gold Coast. But there was also a lot of expectation going into last night’s game to see how Ricky Stuart’s side would match up against one of the competition’s fair dinkum premiership forces.

After being blown off the park in the first half, the Raiders certainly showed some fight to get back in the contest.

But in reality the Storm again exposed some of their edge defence which was a problem last year and by the looks of things it remains a work in progress.

The Raiders now take on Newcastle next Friday night in a game they threw away last year early in the season when Mitchell Pearce set up the winning try, also down the Raiders’ left edge.

MELBOURNE 22 (S Vunivalu 3 N Asofa-Solomona tries C Smith 3 goals) CANBERRA 10 (J Croker 2tries J Croker goal) at GIO Stadium. Referee: Phil Henderson, Adam Gee. Crowd: 14,031.

Originally published as Melbourne down Canberra 22-10 on the back of a Suliasi Vunivalu hat-trick