Melbourne’s Historic Slump Under Craig Bellamy
Melbourne has hit a historic low under coach Craig Bellamy, suffering an embarrassing 48-6 loss to South Sydney in their Anzac Day clash. The Rabbitohs celebrated their first win in Melbourne, ending a 28-year and 21-match streak with a dominant performance. This defeat marks the Storm’s sixth consecutive loss this season, a record last seen in 2002 under Mark Murray before Bellamy took charge.
The result was the Storm’s worst at AAMI Park and their largest loss anywhere since 2003. With only two wins for the season, Melbourne now faces the possibility of missing the finals for the first time under Bellamy. Their challenges have been compounded by the injury to superstar halfback Jahrome Hughes, who was forced off the field with an apparent arm injury.
Souths were nearly unstoppable in the first half, building a 24-0 lead. Alex Johnston scored a double, while Latrell Mitchell contributed to both tries. Melbourne’s first-half statistics were dire, completing just 12 of 19 sets and making zero line-breaks compared to Souths’ eight. The team also made seven errors, with Sua Faalogo and Nick Meaney handing over possession for the Rabbitohs to score.
Bellamy delivered a strong halftime speech, leaving the senior players and assistant coaches to find a way out of their slump. The Storm showed signs of improvement in the second half, but their efforts were thwarted by a controversial ruling that denied Trent Loiero from scoring. Keaon Koloamatangi and Sean Keppie provided crucial defensive efforts.
Tallis Duncan added to Melbourne’s woes by scoring his second try, pushing off both Cameron Munster and Jack Howarth. Campbell Graham also grabbed a double, and Faalogo eventually broke the hosts’ duck with a brilliant individual try. However, the visitors still had the final say with Duncan’s third try.
The only downside for the Rabbitohs was the injury to Brandon Smith, who re-injured his problematic calf.
Warriors Secure Top Two Spot with Hard-Fought Victory
The Warriors have reclaimed their place in the NRL’s top two with a thrilling 20-18 victory over the Dolphins in a brutal Anzac Day clash in Wellington. Despite being starved of possession and territory, the Dolphins fought valiantly in a rare, low-scoring second half. Taine Tuaupiki proved to be the match-winner for the Warriors on Saturday night.
Referee Liam Kennedy and Ashley Klein in the Bunker were kept busy throughout the game, making numerous close calls. The Warriors managed to escape with their fourth consecutive win in the New Zealand capital, climbing above Wests Tigers into second place on points difference.
However, the victory came at a cost. Mitch Barnett suffered a category-one concussion after a friendly-fire head clash with teammate Chanel Harris-Tavita, forcing him to miss next week’s clash with Parramatta. Winger Dallin Watane-Zelezniak could also face disciplinary action after being placed on report for a hip-drop tackle on Dolphins young gun Tevita Naufahu.
With 45 tries scored in the opening four games of round eight, the Warriors and Dolphins delivered a fast-paced first half. Both teams scored three tries each, with the Dolphins taking an 18-14 lead at halftime thanks to a double from Jamayne Isaako. Warriors winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira also scored a brace, while Watane-Zelezniak crossed three times but was denied twice by the video referee.
Herbie Farnworth’s chip-and-regather effort canceled out Khan-Pereira’s first try, and Isaako gave the Dolphins momentum heading into halftime. After losing their lead in the 61st minute, Isaako missed a crucial two-point field-goal attempt with 22 seconds left, trying to force the game into golden point.
Compounding their disappointment, prop Thomas Flegler was placed on report for illegally taking out Ali Leiataua in the lead-up to the Warriors’ match-winning try. Centre Jake Averillo suffered a compound fracture of the finger, and Leka Halasima was also placed on report for a shoulder charge on Dolphins prop Tom Gilbert.
