Purple reign: Storm thrash hapless Warriors

v BYE

The Melbourne Storm has thrashed the New Zealand Warriors in their Anzac Day clash in front of 21,233 fans at AAMI Park.

The Storm were unstoppable from the outset, running in 8 unanswered tries to leave coach Andrew McFadden again scratching his head as to what Warriors side will turn up each week. Further compounding a horror night for the visitors, fullback Tuimoala Lolohea left the field in the first half with a medial ligament injury. He was followed by former skipper Simon Mannering early in the second half, who suffered a horrible facial injury. Both will likely spend time on the sidelines in the coming weeks and will likely be in doubt for the Kiwi test side to be named this week.   

Melbourne exploded out of the blocks scoring in just the 3rd minute of the match, when Tohu Harris strolled through some flimsy defence to score off a deft Cameron Smith pass to lead 4-0.

Three minutes later, Tim Glasby scored another soft try as the Warriors defence just hung off Jesse Bromwich and gave him an age to put Glasby next to the sticks with a simple line.

Late inclusion, Suliasi Vunivalu then looked to have grabbed his 3rd try in only his second game, however replays showed he put his foot into touch before getting the ball down. The Warriors at this point were completely on the back foot and had no answers to the Storm's constant ball movement. Front rowers Glasby and Bromwich were simply outstanding early on, making metres from every hit up with ease. The Warriors then had centre Blake Ayshford sent to the Sin Bin after he desperately laid all over Storm fullback Cameron Munster after he made a break downfield.

Kiwi prop Jesse Bromwich then scored under the posts after the marshmallow defence of the Warriors simply let him crash over and all of the sudden it was Melbourne 16-0 in just 17 minutes. Young Tonumaipea then got a superb offload to speedster Marika Koroibete who jetted over for the Storm's 4th try of the night.

Prior to halftime fullback Cameron Munster, who was a constant menace with the ball in hand, then sidestepped past 5 would-be Warriors defenders to make it 28-0 at halftime.

Coach McFadden must have blown his top at halftime as the Warriors simply hadn't got off the bus in the first half, however they started the second half with a bit more enthusiasm and managed to complete their sets early. Lock forward Simon Mannering then left the field with a shocking facial injury and didn't return after a sickening head clash.

Storm prop Tim Glasby was then caught high by Issac Luke and from the ensuing penalty a beautiful set move from the Storm saw halfback Cooper Cronk crash over in the corner, with the Video Referee using common sense in regards to a ruling of possible obstruction against Thomas Leuluai, who was never going to stop Cronk from scoring in the far corner. Smith converted from the sideline to make it 34-0.

Coach Bellamy then gave prop Jesse Bromwich an early shower with youngster Nelson Asofa-Solomona picking up where Bromwich left off with some strong runs. Late inclusion and excitement machine Suliasi Vunivula then scored 2 tries in quick succession to blow out the scoreline to 42-0. The scoreline correctly reflected the home side's dominance as they totally dominated the Warriors from the get go.

Melbourne now travel to the Gold Coast next Sunday to face the Titans, while New Zealand must now pick up the pieces as they host the Dragons back at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland.