Cooper Cronk’s outstanding form has Melbourne Storm on the verge of a top four spot

THE scintillating form of Cooper Cronk combined with a new defensive attitude has the rejuvenated Storm knocking on the door of the top four.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 04: Cooper Cronk of the Storm looks to pass during the round 21 NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Melbourne Storm at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on August 4, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Renee McKay/Getty Images)

THE scintillating form of superstar Cooper Cronk combined with a new defensive attitude has the rejuvenated Melbourne Storm knocking on the door of the top four.

The Dally M medallist — fresh as a result of his recent injury-enforced lay-off — engineered Melbourne’s third consecutive win as his side moved to sixth on the ladder and on equal points with the fourth-placed Sydney Roosters.

Floating between the left and right-hand side, Cronk was at his deadly best and put on a clinic with four try assists in the 28-6 thrashing.

Cronk was instrumental in the Storm’s defeat of Wests Tigers.

The Test halfback was well supported by explosive winger Marika Koroibete, who again showed why he might be one of the buys of the season with a double against his former side.

TIGERS’ WEEK FROM HELL GETS WORSE

Melbourne’s momentum continues to build, transforming itself on the back of strong defence which was non-existent in the first half of the season.

“Our defence has improved out of sight in the past few weeks,” coach Craig Bellamy said.

Mitchell Moses can’t do anything about Marika Koroibete scoring a try.

Cronk said he believed the side is beginning to click at the right time.

“We’ve been super inconsistent all year, but now we’re just starting to get some consecutive good training sessions together and some good performances,” Cronk said.

“I think the most pleasing thing is the six scoreline (holding Wests to six points).”

Cronk was at the heart of all Melbourne’s best attacks.

It had been a week of turmoil for the Tigers but the strife-torn club struck first through Sitaleki Akauola.

Melbourne should have had a try just minutes later, but prop Jesse Bromwich — who missed most of the game through concussion — was denied by the video referee.

STORM WARMING TO THEIR FINALS TASK

A dubious instruction ruling was made against Strom prop Bryan Norrie, but there was no denying Melbourne when a deft cross-field kick from Ben Roberts found winger Koroibete in the corner not long after.

Koroibete was soon in again after a bullet-like pass from Cronk found him in the corner.

Cronk struck again just before half-time to help tilt the game heavily in Melbourne’s favour.

The No. 7 had the Wests defence spellbound as he put Will Chambers into a big gap for the side’s third try.

Tim Simona gets to grips with Will Chambers.

Although a Cronk brainfade from the kick-off gave Wests a late opportunity to reduce the margin before half-time.

Cronk — who is an avid NFL fan — reacted to the very high ball by putting a block on Tim Simona to protect winger Sisa Waqa.

It resulted in a penalty but Melbourne survived to lead by 12 points at the break.

That lead ballooned early in the second half with Cronk in everything.

He added two more try assists in quick succession, first finding Waqa in the corner with a clever kick and then putting skipper Cameron Smith over for his first try of the night.

Melbourne will now spend a few days on the Central Coast before facing the Knights in Newcastle on Saturday.

MELBOURNE STORM 28 (M Koroibete 2 W Chambers C Smith S Waqa tries C Smith 4 goals) bt WESTS TIGERS 6 (S Akauola try P Richards goal) at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Referee: Ben Cummins, Chris James. Crowd: 7,782.

Originally published as Cooper Cronk’s outstanding form has Melbourne Storm on the verge of a top four spot