NRL: Slater stars as Storm down Roosters

Billy Slater of the Storm runs with the ball during the round four NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the Sydney Roosters. Photo / Getty Images.

Melbourne Storm fullback Billy Slater's case to be declared rugby league's best-ever fullback gained further credence with another two-try haul as his NRL side thrashed the Sydney Roosters 44-4 at AAMI Park.

Slater also had a hand in several others in Melbourne's eight-try romp, including a second-half effort when he showed his array of skills to kick ahead for Cooper Cronk to touch down.

The haul meant Slater has scored a double in each of the unbeaten Storm's four games this season - the first player to do so.

Even more impressive, the tries have come after his return from a shattered collar-bone while on Test duty.

Last week the 28-year-old became the highest try-scoring fullback in rugby league history and will take some catching at this rate.

The Storm put the Roosters on the back foot just after the opening whistle to each half with early tries.

Centre Dane Nielsen was first on the scoreboard in the third minute thanks to some clever lead-up work by halfback Cronk, while tries by Kevin Proctor and Slater helped the home side to a 16-0 halftime lead.

The Roosters appeared hard done by just before halftime when video referee Rod Lawrence was called to adjudicate on a possible try to winger Sam Perrett in the corner.

Despite numerous viewings on the grounding Lawrence ruled no try which prompted Roosters skipper Braith Anasta to approach referee Tony Archer: "Does the benefit of the doubt go to the attacking team? Well he looked at it 1000 times which means he wasn't sure."

Any hope the Roosters had of a second-half fight-back were quickly snuffed out by a Ryan Hoffman try in the 41st minute after an initial Slater break.

The man of the moment then got his second in the 46th minute, followed by one to Will Chambers and the Roosters were looking red-faced.

Hard-working second-rower Boyd Cordner ensured they avoided a dreaded donut with a try in the 73rd minute but it was Slater and the Storm's day, with Cronk adding a second late try to cap the win.

-AAP