Canberra Raiders hand Melbourne Storm a finals reality check in the nation’s capital

CANBERRA proved this year is the most wide open premiership race in years after out-muscling competition leaders the Storm at GIO Stadium.

Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith lead dejected Storm players off the field. Picture: Kym Smith

WHEN a team does a defensive number on Melbourne Storm on the eve of September, it deserves to be taken seriously.

Canberra proved this year is the most wide open NRL premiership race in many years with a gritty 22-8 victory at GIO Stadium.

Victory for Storm would have seen it skip a game-and-half clear of second-placed Cronulla and place one hand on the minor premiership.

The red-hot Raiders - which also sunk Cronulla last round - were having none of it as they consigned Melbourne to just its fourth loss of the season.

The Ricky Stuart-coached side scored in the first minute, led at halftime and then defended superbly when Melbourne threw plenty at them in the second half.

Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith lead dejected Storm players off the field. Picture: Kym Smith

Storm looked disjointed in attack for most of the contest and were bashed through the middle, which has been a very rare occurrence this season.

“Some of our timing and passing wasn’t up to scratch tonight, but they (Canberra) defended really well,” Storm coach Craig Bellamy said.

“It’s always more difficult to score when you’re playing against defence like that.”

The flip side for Storm is a top-two finish and a prized home qualifying final is all but certain.

Storm now has three remaining games to sharpen its focus, manage some fatigued stars and load up before the real season starts.

Bellamy made it clear he was peeved at his side’s defence in its one-point win last round and he would have been livid early on Monday night.

For the first time in recent memory, Storm conceded a try in the first 60 seconds of a match on the opposition’s first set.

With relative ease, Canberra made a line break and a 70m run which allowed Joey Leilua to score the opener.

It was a very worrying sign for Storm but it soon steadied with a converted Cooper Cronk try and a penalty goal.

Melbourne’s lead was short-lived with Leilua soon completing his double courtesy of a strong individual effort down Storm’s right side.

The Storm were out-muscled by the Raiders.

The Raiders led by a converted try at halftime and Storm had plenty of opportunities early in the second half to draw back level.

Canberra’s defence held strong and then it inflicted a huge blow by opening up a two-try advantage when Shannon Boyd crashed his way over.

Melbourne continued to throw everything at Canberra in the final 20 minutes the home side held strong and finished off with a try to Shannon Boyd.

Storm next face Manly at Brookvale Oval on Sunday night before finishing the home-and-away season with games against Brisbane and Cronulla at AAMI Park.

Originally published as Canberra Raiders hand Melbourne Storm a finals reality check in the nation’s capital