Melbourne Storm fight back to defeat Parramatta Eels 36-24 in NRL qualifier

Ryan Papenhuyzen played a masterclass as the Melbourne Storm disposed of the Parramatta Eels 36-24.

Ryan Papenhuyzen of the Melbourne Storm runs in for a try during the NRL qualifying final match against the Parramatta Eels at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday. Picture: Jono Searle/Getty Images

Ryan Papenhuyzen’s masterclass was overshadowed by the pain of Cameron Munster’s latest knee breakdown on a bitter-sweet night for the mighty Melbourne Storm.

Flying fullback Papenhuyzen produced the greatest game of his career as the Storm qualified for their sixth consecutive preliminary final with a 36-24 disposal of the Parramatta Eels in a qualifying final at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

But the joy of Papenhuyzen’s magic act was tempered by the sight of Munster limping off in the 70th minute with his third knee injury of the season.

The Queensland Origin star was crunched in a two-man tackle and immediately grabbed at his heavily-strapped right knee.

Munster hobbled off, throwing his mouthguard into the air in disgust in a sign he could be racing the clock for Melbourne’s grand-final qualifier in a fortnight at Suncorp.

This was a wonderful fightback by the Storm. They were out of sorts early and trailed 12-0 before Papenhuyzen, Munster and Kenny Bromwich led a savage second-half riposte.

With scores locked 12-all at half-time, Papenhuyzen and Munster exploded into action, with the fullback setting up three tries and scoring two himself in a Billy Slater-like performance.

Munster, meanwhile, terrorised the Eels with his ball-playing guile to ensure Melbourne will meet the winner of the Roosters-Raiders sudden-death clash.

Usually so clinical, the Storm’s attack struggled to get out of second gear in the opening 30 minutes.

Melbourne had twice the possession, peppering Parramatta on their right edge, but their timing was awful with a number of clutch passes failing to hit the mark.

The Storm were so disjointed they played the Eels into the contest. Cameron Munster twice threw passes which hit the deck with the tryline beckoning. It was pedestrian and scrappy. The Storm’s first-half completion rate was 67 per cent.

With the Storm trailing 12-0 after half an hour, enter Papenhuyzen. His high-octane energy and sizzling speed saw Melbourne score three tries in a 13-minute blitz to stun the Eels.

In the 30th minute, a Papenhuyzen break led to a Suliasi Vunivalu try, then the Storm custodian backed up a Justin Olam bust three minutes later to level scores at 12-all.

Papenhuyzen continued his magic show after half-time, throwing the final pass for Josh Addo-Carr to give the Storm an 18-12 lead. He ran for 225 metres. He is an elite athlete.

Unheralded duo Kenny Bromwich and Justin Olam were magnificent on the Storm’s left edge.

No-fuss back-rower Bromwich had one of the games of his career, slipping a fine pass in the lead-up to Papenhuyzen’s 33rd-minute try before running a superb line for Addo-Carr’s second-half effort.

Olam is a brutal presence in the centres, rocking the Eels with several stinging shots in defence. The attitude of Bromwich and Olam is the heartbeat of a Storm side hungry for the first title since 2017.

The Sunday Mail

FULL REPORT here

Phil Rothfield reports in The Sunday Telegraph:

The owners of Melbourne Storm are interested in buying the ­Brisbane Broncos in an extraordinary twist to the Craig Bellamy contract saga.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal Melbourne owners Matt Tripp, Bart Campbell and Gerry Ryan have had private discussions about a possible ownership bid for Queensland’s flagship club.

Their combined wealth is close to $1 billion.

It has been estimated the Broncos would be worth about the $55 million mark in a potential sale.

Bellamy is under contract until the end of next season in the southern capital but the Broncos have put in a huge offer for him to become director of coaching over Kevin Walters in Brisbane.

The Brisbane Broncos have also pinched Storm chief executive Dave Donaghy.

FULL REPORT here