Xavier Coates’ stunning match winning try stole the show, but Storm coach Craig Bellamy hailed one unheralded effort that was “just as important” in securing two competition points.
In the first half, Warriors five-eighth Luke Metcalf delivered a perfect tip on pass to find winger Marcelo Montoya in space for what looked to be a certain try.
But Jahrome Hughes had other ideas, delivering a cover tackle for the ages that forced Chris Butler to review his initial decision of a try.
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Bunker official Matt Noyen made a swift decision and ruled that the ball never made contact with the tryline in a decision that shocked Fox League’s commentators.
“Are we absolutely certain no part of the ball touched the line on the way through?” Warren Smith asked.
“You only need part of the ball touching part of the line there and given the on-field call it seemed a very quick one from the Bunker.
“They saw more looks at it than what we saw in the coverage, but still given the on-field call was try I’m sure we might hear more about that beyond full time.”
“I agree, the comments from the Bunker, they were adamant that it was short. I’m not so sure about it,” Michael Ennis said.
That effort would have reduced Melbourne’s 18-6 halftime lead, potentially putting the Warriors out of reach after their second half charge.
For Bellamy, Hughes’ tackle had just as much influence of his team’s unthinkable win that Coates’ aerial effort.
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“If he doesn’t do that we are probably 12 behind so you don’t get back from that,” Bellamy said.
“It doesn’t get the wraps Xavier’s effort got but it is just as important, stopping points is as good as scoring points.
“It’s an example of not giving up, I don’t know what the odds would be of him stopping that try. But he did his best and got rewards for it.
“The team got rewarded for that effort of him stopping the try.”
Hughes finished the clash with two try assists, eight tackle breaks and two linebreaks.
“He played really well tonight but he played really tough as well, I thought he was really great tonight,” Bellamy said.
“He stood out in the first half but in the second half he defended well as well… he had one hell of a game and if he keeps playing like that I’m sure he’s going to lead us to some good performances.”
Source Agencies
