“The first half took a lot of energy and gas out of us. If you’re going to make mistakes, you have to be able to defend yourself. We can do it 80 percent of the time. We’re just not playing a consistent game.”
After a big performance in Souths’ eight-point win over the Bulldogs last week, Latrell Mitchell played down his hand but was just as potent in a one-sided game at Accor Stadium.
Latrell Mitchell makes a break against the storm. Credit: Getty
Mitchell’s stock continued to rise as he set up winger Alex Johnston for two tries, the latter with a brilliant left-hand backhand pass, to inflict more pain on the Storm and give Souths their fourth win consecutive
“Latrell obviously made a big play,” Souths coach Jason Demetriou said. “I thought Melbourne were good tonight, the best they’ve played in a month. Latrell is in great physical and mental shape. When those opportunities come, he’ll freeze them.”
Souths led 10-6 at half-time and piled on three more tries to extend their record to a perfect 10 from 10 going into half-time this season.
There’s a tendency for the cameras to pan to Bellamy when things aren’t going well, but there haven’t been too many eruptions in the training box, just silence.
The last time Melbourne lost four games in a row was in 2015, the year they bowed out in a preliminary final to eventual premiers North Queensland.
Southern duo Damien Cook and Cam Murray added class to their returns as Keaon Koloamatangi made life hell for Melbourne at center with 177 meters from 15 carries.
The Storm’s night got off to a horrendous start when Nelson Asofa-Solomona was booked for a high kick on Murray before Souths crossed for an incredibly easy four-pointer courtesy of Koloamatangi down the right edge.
It was uncharacteristic of the Storm and emblematic of their recent problems, particularly without the ball.
Melbourne’s ball control in the first half was woeful, gifting South Sydney valuable field position which they took advantage of.
Marion Seve crosses the line on a frustrating night for the Storm. Credit: Getty
Good teams create something out of nothing and that’s what Melbourne did three minutes from the break when Marion Seve burst into regulation two with Cody Walker and Isaiah Tass either side of him.
Seve sprinted 65 meters to score and cut the deficit to four points at halftime. Psychologically, it was a big moment for the Storm, considering they had only completed 65 percent of their sets in the first 40 minutes.
During the week, Storm legend Cameron Smith implored Bellamy to pick a full-back and stick with him for the season in Papenhuyzen’s colossal absence.
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Nick Meaney, with three previous wins from four starts under his belt in the No.1 jersey this year, was solid but certainly didn’t cement his position at the back. It will be a talking point moving forward.
After a 30-metre run into his side’s half, which had the fans jumping out of their seats, Mitchell flicked a lovely long pass from second receiver to put Johnston in the left-hand corner and put Souths ahead 10- 0.
The Storm reduced the deficit before Johnston and Lachlan Ilias found the line to give Souths a comfortable 20-6 cushion with half an hour to play.
Johnston almost had a try-of-the-year contender with a kick recovery that he almost got before Jaxson Paulo went over in the 55th minute.
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