​Storm sink struggling Sharks

The Melbourne Storm have put a distracting week off field behind them to record a 48-6 win over the struggling Sharks. A rampant Melbourne outfit ran in nine tries to one, including doubles to Mahe Fonua and Tim Glasby.

The Sharks were never in the game, and gifted the Storm early possession when they failed to find touch from a penalty. Mid-season recruit Marika Koroibete made the Sharks pay for their error scoring in the corner in the seventh minute, brushing aside two would-be tacklers.

A try to Mahe Fonua stamped the Storm's ascendency in the 14th minute before the Sharks even managed to mount a single attack at the Melbourne line.

After a Jeff Robson knock on, the Storm held the ball for fifteen minutes, scoring three tries between Sharks possessions.

A 36th minute Will Chambers try well and truly iced the game before half time, sending the Storm into the sheds with an unasailable 30-0 lead.

Although much better in the second half, the injury depleted and out of luck Shire oufit were massively outclassed by their Melbourne hosts.

A career first try to superstar in the making Valentine Holmes was the only highlight for the black, white and blue, who conceded three more tries in the second half, including a career-first double to back rower Tim Glasby.

Jesse Bromwich was immense for the purple haze running for an incredible 200 metres plus. The only forward to come anywhere near the running metres of the Kiwi giant was unsurpsingly Sharks captain Paul Gallen, but this night belonged to the Melbourne prop.

A late converted try to Jordan McLean capped off a near perfect night for the Storm, who were every bit as good as the 42 point victory suggests.

The Storm are finding form at the right end of the season, whilst for the Sharks, 2015 simply cannot come quickly enough. Next week the Storm are off to the golden west of Sydney to face the Penrith Panthers in Monday night football, while the Sharks head home next Sunday to host fellow cellar dwellers Canberra in a match certain to determine the outcome of this season's wooden spoon.

MELBOURNE STORM (48)
Tries: Marika Koroibete, Mahe Fonua (2), Sisa Waqa, Jesse Bromwich, Will Chambers, Tim Glasby (2), Jordan McLean
Conversions: Cameron Smith (6/9)

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (6)
Tries: Valentine Holmes
Conversions: Michael Gordon (1/1)

TEAM NEWS | Some bench swaps for both teams ahead of kickoff. Ryan Hinchcliffe drops back to the dugout with Jordan McLean returning from injury and being promoted to the starting side at lock. Kenny Bromwich drops out. For Cronulla, Tim Robinson and Michael Lichaa drop to the bench, with Tinirau Arona (prop) and Pat Politoni (hooker) starting for them.

Sharks out onto AAMI Park in their traditional jerseys, with the Storm following behind in a reddish-orange "Close the Gap" strip on. Melbourne can continue to push for top four with a win here, Cronulla will want a win to consign the Raiders to the wooden spoon.

Melbourne kickoff, Cronulla have it first.

3: Sharks earn the first penalty of the night after a Storm player took out Michael Gordon attempting a bomb defusing. Wait.... they haven't found touch. Storm ball from halfway.

4: Andddddd Storm with a penalty 10m out right in front... first tackle - Chambers taken into touch! Sharks scrum.

7: VIDEO REFEREE we're upstairs to check on a possible Storm TRY to Marika Koroibete. Checking onside & grounding...

7: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Marika Koroibete. Kick to come.
The big import from the Wests Tigers scores in the corner to open the account for the home side.

8: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Touchline conversion is no good from Cam Smith. Hit the crossbar and bounced back.

12: Storm ascend over the halfway line then get a penalty for the Sharks laying all over the tackled man. Set starts just short of Cronulla's 20m.

14: Sharks get a penalty for the same thing... this time they find touch... but lose it on the first tackle.

14: VIDEO REFEREE to adjudicate on a possible Storm TRY to Mahe Fonua. He's overpowered four Sharks defenders to score that. Looks like it'll be green lights...

14: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Mahe Fonua. Kick to come.
Fonua has the try for the Storm, wonderful individual effort.

16: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Smith corrects his technique from the previous conversion and fades it back in. Conversion good.

17: UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM
Kevin Proctor makes an unforced error.
Proctor spills it on the Storm's own 20m. Cronulla with their first real attacking opportunity here...

18: Sharks' first foray into the Storm's territory results in a dud last tackle kick. 20m restart.

17: Robson's kick goes too far. Storm back to the 20 for a fresh set

18: Valentine Holmes with a brilliant pick up to save the day for the Sharks. The Storm look dangerous

20: Nu Brown's kick goes in to Row C from 30 out. Storm back to the 20

22: Billy Slater goes through the gap, throws a speculator, Robson fails to fall on the ball. Storm carving up, Sharks their own worst enemy thus far. Cooper Cronk licking his lips

23: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Jeff Robson makes an unforced error.
Robson fails to fall on the lose ball, presenting the Storm with a set of 6 close to the line

24: Melbourne will start this set on half way after a brilliant defensive set

24: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Sisa Waqa. Kick to come.
A beautiful long ball from Billy Slater puts Waqa over in the corner. Brilliant play

26: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Smith fails to convert from a tough angle. If Slater and Cronk keep playing like they are, Smith will get plenty of kicking practice tonight

27: Storm PENALTY ... late in the set and here come the Storm yet again

28: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Jesse Bromwich. Kick to come.
Bromwich under the posts. Easy, one pass off the ruck and Bromwich makes Holmes and Prior look like they weren't even there

29: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Right down the middle. 20-0 ... big trouble for the Sharks

30: I literally had to scroll down to see the last time the Sharks touched the ball.

32: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Mahe Fonua. Kick to come.
Oh dear. Way too easy for the Storm. Ben Roberts with a beautiful ball puts Fonua through a massive gap. Runs it round closer to the posts

33: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
black dot for the club, state and national captain.

34: Jesse Bromwich is having a peach of a game. Massive metres

35: Possible tripping penalty against Jeff Robson on Slater here. Accidental but shin on shin. Fair call

37: TRY SAVER Nu Brown. Amazing tackle. Hoffman looked in for all money

36: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Will Chambers. Kick to come.
Chambers beats Robson one on one and scores in the corner. Brown's tackle was all for naught

38: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Smith pushes it wide. Storm going up in four's .. not that it overly matters right now. Completely on top

40: Sharks have the ball for the first time in 15 or so minutes

40: Sharks fail to find touch from the penalty for the second time. Slater goes straight through

40: Feki walks the ball over the touch line to end the half. Sharks hammered from pillar to post by a rampant Melbourne side

40: This could literally be anything here tonight. Just got a txt from a Storm fan who said he's not even wearing a jacket as the post try flames from the Storm are keeping them plenty warm

40: I'd recap the try scorers but I fear I might get carpal tunnel. The Sharks will be hoping for a far improved second half, while the Storm will be looking to improve their for and against. Stay tuned for a big second half

40: Here come the purp ... orange Storm. Wonder what was said in the sheds at half time. "More of the same" I would suggest

42: Sharks with a much better set to start the second half.

44: Jeff Robson providing catching practice for Waqa. Storm have had 24 sets to 11. Amazing stat

45: Penalty Sharks: Much needed for the Sharks after a strip. Hopefully they find touch

46: VIDEO REFEREE: Possible try to the Sharks through Feki. Brilliant strength shown. On field decision is try

46: Overrule: Feki's foot on the touchline. Brilliant tackle from Slater. Much better from Cronulla though

47: Melbourne will have a fresh set after a penalty. Smith not looking happy with the Storm almost conceding a try here. Ultimate pro

47: UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM
Tohu Harris makes an unforced error.
Harris drops the ball. Sharks survive

49: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Fa'amanu Brown makes an unforced error.
Promising play ends with a drop ball from the young 5/8th

50: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Tim Glasby. Kick to come.
Jesse Bromwich makes a bust and slips a beautiful ball to Glasby who runs 20 metres. Bromwich on FIRE

51: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Too easy for Smith. 36-0

53: Valentine Holmes takes a beauty close to his own line. Great hands from the youngster

53: Penalty Sharks: Lichaa takes a quick tap and makes 15 metres instead of chewing off 30 with a kick,. Strange

56: Storm repel three sets of six on their own line. Confidence is sky high

57: UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM
Mahe Fonua makes an unforced error.
One on one strip on Jono Wright knocked forward. Fair enough

59: UNFORCED ERROR MELBOURNE STORM
Mahe Fonua makes an unforced error.
Much better defense from the Sharks who force Fonua to throw the ball into touch

61: Razzle dazzle from the Sharks. It just fails to come off. Much better

63: Nothing coming off for the Sharks. Storm defense in supreme form, but the execution for Cronulla just isnt there

64: Penalty Sharks. Game has come to a bit of a lull. Sharks on the attack

65: Strange penalty to the Sharks. Players laying on Sopoaga who looks injured. Cecchin blows the penalty

66: Possible try to Valentine Holmes. Beautiful pass from Sopoaga. Holmes over in the corner?

66: TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Valentine Holmes. Kick to come.
I CARN SPAKE!!! Sharks score through Valentine Holmes!!!

67: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
Gordon adds the extras from the sideline. Picture perfect

68: Much better from the Sharks, they deserved that try. Holmes scores the first of hopefully many for those in the Shire

70: That try has awoken the Storm who make a bust down the right through Slater

73: Penalty Melbourne as Ayshford tackles Koriabete in the air.

75: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Tim Glasby. Kick to come.
A double for young Glasby. A simple shift left, a brilliant draw and pass from Slater and Glasby goes over. That is efficiency at it's finest

76: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Black dot. He's got his radar going now

78: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Jordan McLean. Kick to come.
Way too easy there. McLean over next to the posts off a good ball from Bryan Norrie

80: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Smith adds the 2 from next to the posts

80: Storm run the ball dead to end the game. 48-6. Huge effort from the Storm. As for the Sharks, it's all about 2015 now

80: Stay tuned for a full match report on what was a show from the Storm. The Tigers host the Roosters up next here on League Unlimited ... Thanks for joining us. Storm 48-6 over the Sharks