Storm 23
Bulldogs 12
An under-strength Melbourne overwhelmed a hapless Canterbury in their NRL clash at AAMI Park yesterday to leave the Bulldogs flailing near the bottom of the ladder.
The Storm headed into the clash minus injured Origin stars Billy Slater (back), Greg Inglis (hamstring), Brett White (foot) and also missing Cameron Smith (elbow) and Anthony Quinn (thumb). But their replacements proved more than worthy as they raced to a 23-0 half-time lead.
While the visitors turned in a better second half, the lead was too formidable to peg back, leaving the Bulldogs winless in Melbourne since 2005.
Canterbury's New South Wales Origin contingent - Brett Kimmorley, Jamal Idris and Michael Ennis - backed up, but the trio had another miserable outing following Wednesday night's loss to Queensland.
The visitors, who have now only won three from 11 matches, had a day when little went right - from the bounce of the ball to decisions by video referee Chris Ward.
Stripped off all points for the season following the exposure of their salary cap cheating, this match was the first of a new Storm player-driven initiative dubbed "Points with a Purpose".
Each home game is dedicated to a different charity with companies donating money for each point scored by the Storm, with The Allanah and Madeline Foundation to receive $15,500 for this effort.
The charity only had to wait six minutes for the first points to be scored with centre Dane Nielsen, who had a big game, crossing the line.
Former Dragon Chase Stanley, replacing Inglis in his Storm debut, was the next to touch down as Bulldogs centre Josh Morris fell off the tackle.
He was unable to continue his bright start when he was forced from the field with a knee injury early in the second half.
Luke MacDougall and fullback Gareth Widdop, who was called in when Slater pulled out, were also tryscorers for the home side.
Canterbury skipper Andrew Ryan scored in the 47th minute and when Yileen Gordon looked to have crossed five minutes later it appeared they may have been in with a chance.
But Ward ruled Gordon failed to ground the ball, thanks to the efforts of Storm winger Matt Duffie, and the visitors were forced to wait until the 74th minute for Kimmorley to add to their total.
- AAP
