Melbourne sent out an ominous warning to their rivals in the Telstra Premiership after thrashing Canberra 44-10 at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
It sets up a heavyweight clash with South Sydney next Friday night in what looms as a possible grand final rehearsal.
Match: Storm v Raiders
Round 20 -
home Team
Storm
1st Position
away Team
Raiders
10th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Five-eighth Cameron Munster had a superb all-round game, with two-try assists, four line-breaks and a try as the Storm sizzled in their seven-tries-to-two victory.
The hosts were fast and efficient early, punching through the middle with ease.
Felise Kaufusi scored their first try following an overhead pass from Billy Slater with less than ten minutes on the clock.
Canberra's night got worse after Munster weaved past Luke Bateman and two other defenders to score in front of the sticks.
With Smith's simple conversion, Canberra found themselves down 14-0 midway through the first half.
Sia Soliola barged his way over with close to half an hour gone, but that was as as good as it got for the visitors.
Match Highlights: Storm v Raiders - Round 20, 2018
Moments later Jahrome Hughes shrugged off an attempted tackle before finding Suliasi Vunivalu, who powered over in the corner for an 18-4 lead.
Curtis Scott then crossed on the left edge just before halftime and when Josh Addo-Carr pounced on a Billy Slater rolling kick just after the break, the lead ballooned out to 26 points.
Joey Leilua muscled over from close range for the Green Machine's second try in the 56th minute, only to see Craig Bellamy's men post more points following efforts from Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Curtis Scott.
News and Notes: The Storm have now won the past six of seven against the Raiders, and fullback Billy Slater has won 21 of his 25 games against the Green Machine....Melbourne are now back on top of the table after their win but the Dragons could also get there with a win tomorrow against the Roosters....The Raiders have now lost all eight games against top-eight sides this year.... Jordan Rapana was sin-binned with a minute to go for a professional foul.
Match Highlights: Storm v Raiders - Round 20, 2018