Storm v Raiders player ratings: ‘Fought them half-blind and won’
Canberra went down to Melbourne and stunned the Storm but who starred and who struggled? Check out our player ratings from the AAMI Park thriller.
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Check out our player ratings from the Melbourne-Canberra AAMI Park thriller.
MELBOURNE STORM
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen — 8
Superb display. A constant threat who always stays involved and safe as a bank under the high ball.
2. Suliasi Vunivalu — 6
Scored a try only he could score but was otherwise quiet.
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3. Will Chambers — 6
Didn’t see much ball but defended brilliantly. Canberra peppered his side all night and he rounded up everything.
4. Justin Olam — 5
Didn’t see much clean ball but relished the physical battle. Will be much better for the run.
5. Josh Addo-Carr — 5
Just wasn’t his sort of game but did make one scorching break. Hopefully that loose carry to finish won’t haunt him.
6. Cameron Munster — 6
Looked dangerous but couldn’t find the touch to bust Canberra open.
7. Jahrome Hughes — 5
Still finding his feet at halfback.
8. Jesse Bromwich — 6
Another very solid display. Didn’t shirk the physical battle at all.
9. Cameron Smith — 7
Played well and controlled the middle. This was his sort of game down the ground.
10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona — 9
Best on ground. He is a terror, and Bellamy used him very well, deploying him for three stints. When the Storm got on top after halftime it was because of him.
11. Felise Kaufusi — 6
Had plenty of sting in defense but couldn’t impose his attacking game on the Raiders.
12. Kenny Bromwich — 5
Didn’t get the chance to show his skill.
13. Dale Finucane — 8
Built for this type of footy. Thrived in the battle and lead Melbourne for yards, even beating out Asofa-Solomona.
14. Brandon Smith — 6
A nice injection of energy, as ever. He fears nothing.
15. Tui Kamikamica — 5
Looked likely in a brief cameo.
16. Max King — 2
Didn’t get many minutes.
17. Joe Stimson — 0
Didn’t get on.
TOTAL: 95
CANBERRA RAIDERS
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad — 5
Dropped a few bombs but worked hard, as ever. Another who will be better for the run.
2. Nick Cotric — 3
His evening was over early due to an HIA.
3. Jarrod Croker — 5
Tough day with the boot and didn’t get much clean ball.
14. Bailey Simonsson — 7
Thrown into the starting side late and had a blinder. Still has some rough edges but improves with every week.
5. Jordan Rapana — 6
One of his better games this year. Even if he can’t go like he once could he always stays involved and goes hard on both sides of the ball.
6. Jack Wighton — 6
Threw a classy pass for Simonsson’s try but couldn’t quite get the rest of his attack on. Tackled very well though, as is his wont.
7. Aidan Sezer — 6
Couldn’t quite get the game but had some good touches.
15. Dunamis Lui — 7
A very solid second stint helped Canberra out when they needed it. He has his critics but he stood tall in this one.
8. Josh Hodgson — 7
Was heavily targeted by Melbourne and held up well. Will have nightmares about Asofa-Solomona.
9. Sia Soliola — 5
Had a good first stint but didn’t return.
10. John Bateman — 8
Never stops. Never even thinks about it. This was the sort of game where he thrives and it was only fitting he scored the winner.
11. Elliott Whitehead — 7
Not as flashy as Bateman but just as valuable. A wonderful mix of rugged physicality and deft skill.
12. Joseph Tapine — 6
Solid enough but could have been busier. His first stint was very good.
4. Joey Leilua — 7
He fought them half-blind and won. This game was the total Leilua experience. Canberra culdn’t have won it without him.
8. Josh Papalii — 8
Just outstanding, what more can be said? Gained more metres than anyone else on the field. One of the game’s best forwards.
16. Corey Horsburgh — 5
Did his best to stay involved in his finals debut. The Red Horse rides again.
18. Emre Guler — 3
Did pretty well when they looked for him.
TOTAL: 102
Originally published as Storm v Raiders player ratings: ‘Fought them half-blind and won’