Storm v Broncos: Five things we learned

MELBOURNE Storm turned in a huge second half to overrun the Brisbane Broncos and claim a 32-16 win. Here’s what we learned from the Round 14 clash.

Darius Boyd scores a try for the Broncos at AAMI Stadium. Picture: AAP

MELBOURNE Storm turned in a huge second half to overrun the Brisbane Broncos and claim a 32-16 win.

Here’s what we learned from the Round 14 clash at AAMI Park.

1 — THE Broncos proved to be their own worst enemy in their loss to the Storm, but weren’t helped by a few tough calls. The Broncos were chasing down the Storm’s 20-16 lead with 10 minutes to go when it was ruled their defence made a second effort on Suliasi Vunivalu to push him back into the in-goal. It wasn’t that the call was incorrect, but a similar tackle on Darius Boyd from Josh Addo-Carr earlier in the match went without a penalty. Corey Oates was also penalised for a loose carry when the ball was clearly stripped in the 49th minute and hooker Andrew McCullough was then deemed to have knocked on in another questionable ruling.

Craig Bellamy reacts in the coaches box during the Round 14 NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the Brisbane Broncos at AAMI Park. Picture: Getty Images

2 — THE loss to the Storm was made worse for Wayne Bennett by the competition with Craig Bellamy. Bellamy has been approached to replace Bennett from 2020 onwards. This was Bennett’s 24th loss to his former assistant coach. There is still no clarity from Bellamy on his future but that was a win Bennett would have wanted.

3 — BRISBANE looked stronger but are still fighting hard for their season. They remain in eighth place but it was their sixth loss from 13 games. They will travel to Cronulla next week where they will be desperate to get the win so they are not sitting on seven wins and seven losses. It’s not a place where the Broncos usually sit at this point of the season and they need to find consistency.

Darius Boyd scores s a try for the Broncos against the Storm. Picture: AAP

4 — DARIUS Boyd made a strong first half statement to Kevin Walters. In his best 40 minutes of the season, Boyd was inspirational for the Broncos. He scored a try through his own fancy footwork, slipping past Cameron Munster, and played a hand in another to Jamayne Isaako. He was everywhere in attack but also strong in defence. While the second half wasn’t as strong, he will give Walters plenty to think about.

Cameron Smith was strong for the Storm. Picture: Michael Klein

5 — WHILE it may hurt Queenslanders to see Cameron Smith in such good form, Melbourne fans will be happy the skipper has decided to give up representative football. Smith struggled to back up after Origin this year, but looked fresh and was the best on field at AAMI Park. His defence was enormous and he played a major part in Melbourne’s second half resurgence.

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