Most NRL teams will struggle to compete without a handful of their best players and so it proved for Wests Tigers in Melbourne on Sunday.
Missing their fullback, halfback, hooker and best back-rower and front-rower, an undermanned Tigers were just the tonic for the Harry Grant-inspired Storm to resume regular service after an unprecedented seven-match losing streak.
But after conceding 96 points in the past seven days, the cracks have begun to appear in the Tigers’ bid to return to the finals for the first time in 15 years.
Second on the ladder a fortnight ago, Benji Marshall’s team have dropped to sixth place with their 44-16 defeat and face a red-hot Manly at Suncorp Stadium during Magic Round next Saturday.
While this was a better display than a 52-10 drubbing by Cronulla the previous Sunday, there was no coming back for the Tigers after they were blown away in the opening stages at AAMI Park.
Grant was instrumental to the Storm’s breakthrough victory, a timely turn of events for Queensland in the lead-up to the State of Origin series while Maroons teammate Cameron Munster and the returning Jahrome Hughes were also outstanding and winger Will Warbrick completed an aerial double.
The Kangaroos hooker was a constant threat, exposing deficiencies in the Tigers’ defence that had not appeared so transparently before their hammering by the Sharks.
There were echoes of their 64-0 capitulation to the Storm in the same week last season as they let in four tries in the first 13 minutes.
It didn’t turn out that badly but the scoreline was anything but flattering.
Marshall’s team was well below full strength, with Terrell May returning to Sydney before the game for the birth of his first child and Adam Doueihi, Jahream Bula, Samuela Fainu and Api Koroisau already missing through either injury or suspension.
While May will be back next weekend, the continuing absence of three members of their spine and the in-form Fainu is a major concern.
They could be further depleted against the Sea Eagles after fellow second-rower Kai Pearce-Paul was placed on report for a chicken-wing tackle on Warbrick.
The performance of centre Taylan May was a bright spot for the Tigers, justifying his extension until 2030 alongside brother Terrell, with a series of powerful runs as he posted two of the visitors’ three tries.
It was Melbourne’s day, though, the only blight for the hosts an injury to a key player of their own.
Fullback Sualauvi Faalogo scored the first of the Storm’s eight tries but didn’t return after a head knock and possible facial fracture sustained while trying to prevent Taylan May burrowing over the line.
Chris Barrett is a senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former South-East Asia correspondent for the Herald and The Age.Connect via X or email.
