Melbourne Machine Rolls Knights

Melbourne Storm 44 def Newcastle Knights 0

The well oiled NRL machine that is the Melbourne Storm threw a party tonight for former Knights Clint Newton, Anthony Quinn and for the 50th game of Steve Turner.

It was oh so sweet for Clint Newton, not only to get a win over his former club and coach Brian Smith; but to touchdown for a late try to rub salt into the wounds.

It was a carbon copy of last Monday nights NRL game, only this time the Knights were the team half a yard off the pace. From the outset the Knights lacked timing, discipline and ruck muscle to stop the Storm rolling forward.

The Knights tried hard to slow each play the ball, but the wrestling matches were being lost and penalties followed - 3 inside the first 5 minutes against the Knights.

For the Storm, they were their usual clinical selves. Crisp passing and initially deep backline movements were the winners for the Storm, scoring tries near the edges. As the game wore on, the gaps opened in the middle and the Storm took full advantage - blowing the score right out and virtually allowing them to put the cue in the rack for the rest of the regular NRL season in 2007. They could sit back and not win a game and still make the top 2 at this stage.

Cameron Smith and Dallas Johnson were rested at various stages and coach Craig Bellamy hinted at possibly resting Smith and others from upcoming games where possible.

The Knights need to lick their wounds quickly, as what was going to be a training run against the Roosters next week - now looks a tough ask; with Freddy injecting new life into the Bondi club. The Storm remain at home to the Raiders in Round 19.