Is it possible for teams to play a finals-calibre game in round three as the Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos' clash on Thursday night was worthy of a final in every way.
Each set was punctuated by powerful hits or equally powerful runs while playmakers on both sides showed their skills and smarts without getting too much reward for their efforts.
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Billy Slater returns in Storm win
The Melbourne Storm have welcomed back Billy Slater with a 14-12 win over the Brisbane Broncos
Storm winger Josh Addo-Carr ended up with the game-tying try, his first for the club, and captain Cameron Smith's conversion gave them a 14-12 win but it could have easily been the Broncos' night as their defence was outstanding.
Billy Slater's return, which came via the bench on 29 minutes, was a celebrated moment and the Storm full-back was running with intent, looking to make up for his year on the sidelines but the Broncos defence was tireless and dogged throughout despite being pinned on their line. The Broncos made 45 tackles in their defensive 20metres compared to just eight by the Storm, showing how dominant the home side was.
On another night, against another team, the Storm may have scored five tries or more but the Broncos defence demanded something special or luck to beat it – Addo-Carr's try, which came off a deflected pass, was just that lucky.
A misplaced pass from Cooper Cronk gifted the Broncos their first try on 11 minutes as Cronk's pass went over the head of five-eighth Ryley Jacks and was scooped up by James Roberts who sprinted under the posts to score.
Cronk looked to have a try of his own on 15 minutes but he was tackled just short of the line and his attempt to reach out for the line was ruled a double-movement.
The Storm had the weight of possession and after forcing a turnover at midfield they pushed to within five metres of the line before a Cameron Smith dummy fooled the Broncos defence and let him pass to Jacks for the rookie's first home try.
Slater received a standing ovation on his return as he replaced Jacks who made way for Cameron Munster after he moved into five-eighth. Smith kicked a penalty goal on the same play to put the Storm up 8-6.
The Storm had more chances in the final 10 minutes of the half but they couldn't get on the same page so went into half-time with the score unchanged.
Melbourne hadn't conceded a point in the second half before this game but that record was gone in the space of a Ben Hunt dummy and run on 50 minutes as he dummied a pass inside then beat out Smith, Tim Glasby and Slater to score under the posts from 20metres out. The Broncos converted to lead 12-8.
The Storm continued to probe the Broncos defences but time and again they missed the mark when trying to make the final move.
Whether it was adjusting to having Slater back or being well corralled by the visitors' defence they were still down at the hour mark.
Slater was looking to cap his comeback with a match-winning play but while his legs still had the speed he couldn't find the moment for the pass or step to finish the move.
Chambers looked to have regained the lead for Melbourne with his stretching effort ruled no try after a review. Finally with four minutes to play Jacks' pass to the outside was deflected off a Broncos defender then looped up off Hunt's hand and into the path of Addo-Carr who scored his first Storm try and tied the game.
Smith's conversion from the left touchline gave the Storm a 14-12 win. But book both clubs in for a meeting in the finals proper once they come along.
The Storm play Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval next Sunday at 4pm.
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