Xavier Coates’ Storm teammates have reacted to the winger’s sensational 80th minute matchwinning try against the Warriors.
With Melbourne trailing 26-24, Coates leapt high into the air over Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak five metres out from the try line and placed the ball down in the corner all while his body was outside the field of play.
Michael Ennis immediately labelled it “the best try he’s seen”, Cooper Cronk said it was “physics defying” and Coates’ Storm teammates found it hard to disagree.
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Ryan Papenhuyzen, Jahrome Hughes, Harry Grant and Storm coach Craig Bellamy all spoke on the field to Fox League after the game to discuss the incredible feat.
“I threw my back out celebrating. It was incredible,” Papenhuyzen said.
“He does that every (training) session. You look over in the corner and go ‘when’s he going to use it’, but that scenario there where we most needed it, he delivered.”
When asked what would have happened had he been in Coates’ situation, Hughes was hilariously honest.
“It was a pretty crazy ending. We had it in the back of head to find X … still can’t believe he scored that try,” the halfback said.
“I would have been bundled into touch and lost us the game. I would have jumped and then smashed by Dallin.”
Storm hooker Harry Grant said he didn’t have the greatest of vantage points compared to some of his other teammates.
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“I didn’t know what was going on as I was in the middle of the field but I sort of thought he was a chance as he’s a freak of an athlete.
“He’s an honest guy so once he was confident, I was confident.
“I don’t know how we got away with that one.”
The Storm were trailing the Warriors 26-18 with three minutes remaining and a bolter’s chance of mounting a comeback.
Two quick tries to Papenhuyzen and then Coates were enough to lift Melbourne to the unlikeliest of victories.
Even their coach was doubtful his side could crawl back to win.
Refs hilarious tumble in try build-up! | 00:47
“I was about to leave with 10 minutes to go, jump in the car and go home. I thought that was it,” Craig Bellamy told Fox League.
“There are not too many guys in our game that can score a try like that. He’s one hell of a player Xavier.
“ … I just shook his hand, patted him on the back and (said) well done. I’ll give him something when we get in there … I like to do it privately. But I’ll tell you what, he practices that after nearly every training session and that’s why he scored tonight … that’s the person and player Xavier is.
“He’s probably had one of the best pre-seasons I’ve had from anyone. These things in games he’s capable of doing, he’s a hell of an athlete but again to do what he did tonight you’ve got to practice and he did.”
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