NRL: Inglis brings Raiders misery

Greg Inglis. Photo / Getty Images

MELBOURNE - Melbourne put a dent in Canberra's NRL finals ambitions with an emphatic win at AAMI Park yesterday to end their recent run of wins.

The Storm continued the Raiders' misery in the Victorian capital, where they haven't won since 2000, and the loss left them floundering outside the top eight.

Greg Inglis again proved the danger man for the Raiders, crossing for a second half try to boost his tally to 10 tries from his past seven meetings with the Canberra side.

He also had a hand in several others of the seven-try haul in a power-packed performance.

Young winger Justin O'Neill was another star of the Storm show, scoring tries in each half, although the second left Canberra coach David Furner shaking his head in dismay.

O'Neill also didn't appear convinced and looked for a time like he wasn't going to bother grounding the ball from Inglis, who seemed to knock on a Ryan Hoffman pass.

However replays showed the ball bounced cleanly off Inglis' chest and the try was fairly scored.

O'Neill, 19, had another reason to celebrate after this week signing a two-year deal with the club, although his immediate playing future could be in doubt after he limped off with his right ankle and left thigh heavily strapped.

The visitors, who had won their previous three matches, dominated early territory and possession but were unable to convert much of that pressure into points.

Trailing 6-0 after a try by Storm centre Dane Nielsen, who also added another in the second half, Drury Low, a late replacement for injured fullback Josh Dugan (shoulder), crossed in the corner after some handy lead-up work by hooker Travis Waddell and centre Jarrod Croker.

But that was the only four-pointer the Raiders could manage as they headed to the sheds at halftime down 12-4.

The Storm opened the second stanza with O'Neill's second effort before Inglis, Nielsen, and fullback Billy Slater all crossed to seal the win.

Heavy rain and hail hit the stadium with 10 minutes remaining and sent the small crowd scrambling, although a few remained behind to see Croker finally add to Canberra's miserly total.

Melbourne, however, had the last say with forward Todd Lowrie kicking into the in-goal and winning the race to the ball.

FULL TIME SCORE
Storm 36
Raiders 12

- AAP