The Melbourne Storm have proven they can survive without star halfback Jahrome Hughes, scraping past the Parramatta Eels 16-10 in a gritty, hard-fought contest at CommBank Stadium.
In what was their first true test since Hughes was sidelined due to injury, the Storm produced a rugged defensive performance to grind out the win—far from convincing, but enough to get the job done.
A Clunky but Committed Storm
Without their usual playmaker steering the ship, Melbourne looked disjointed in attack for large periods. The slick combinations and sharp execution that have become synonymous with Craig Bellamy’s side were noticeably missing. However, their defensive commitment and game management under pressure held firm.
Fill-in halfback Tyran Wishart did a serviceable job, while fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen showed glimpses of brilliance, including a crucial try-saving tackle late in the second half that preserved the Storm’s lead.
“We were clunky in attack, no doubt,” said Bellamy post-match. “But I’m proud of the effort. It’s not easy adjusting without a player like Hughesy, but the boys dug deep.”
Eels Fall Short in the Clutch
For Parramatta, it was a case of opportunities missed. The Eels dominated field position and possession for extended periods but failed to turn pressure into points. Their only try came in the 25th minute, courtesy of winger Maika Sivo, who powered over in the corner.
Errors at key moments—along with Melbourne’s scrambling defense—proved costly. The Eels had multiple chances to level or take the lead in the second half but couldn’t find the finishing touch.
“It’s frustrating,” said Eels coach Brad Arthur. “We had our chances and probably should’ve won that game. But we let ourselves down with poor execution.”
What This Means
The win consolidates Melbourne’s top-four hopes and sends a message that even without Hughes, they remain one of the NRL’s most resilient sides. The Storm will look to improve their cohesion in attack moving forward, with eyes now on next week’s clash against the Newcastle Knights.
Meanwhile, Parramatta’s finals hopes continue to hang by a thread. With a tough run home, they’ll need to turn competitive performances into wins if they’re to stay in the playoff race.
Final Score: Storm 16, Eels 10
Tries:
- Storm: Reimis Smith, Nick Meaney
- Eels: Maika Sivo
Player of the Match: Ryan Papenhuyzen (Melbourne Storm)
