Grant and Hughes masterclasses lead Storm to statement win as Eels drop out of eight: Big Hits

Sean Russell produced a brilliant finish in the corner as the Eels took an early lead against the Storm.

Grant darted over from dummyhalf as the Storm bounced back to take the lead.

Hughes produced some slick footwork to put a charging Grant over for his double as the Storm took control.

Grant then turned provider for Hughes to streak away and score as the home side took a commanding lead.

J’maine Hopgood charged over from close range to get the Eels back in the contest.

Hughes then turned provider to put Eliesa Katoa over with a brilliant short ball to restore the Storm’s 14-point advantage.

Grant and Hughes combined to put Josh King over under the posts as the Storm threatened to run away with it.

Hughes then set up a try for Marion Seve as the clinic form the Storm halfback continued.

Luca Moretti dived over to score a maiden NRL try for the Eels but it was too little too late.

Cameron Munster sliced through with some fancy footwork to put the icing on the cake for the rampant Storm, before Will Warbrick dived over in the corner as Melbourne put an exclamation point on an emphatic win.

BIG HITS

HUGHES MASTERCLASS OUTSHINES MOSES

The battle of the halfbacks was always going to have a decisive say in the game and Jahrome Hughes dominated his rival Mitchell Moses as the Storm ran riot.

Michael Ennis lauded Hughes’ ability to create opportunities for his teammates.

“Jahrome Hughes was absolutely outstanding,” Ennis said.

“Hughes was brilliant down the short sides. He hit the Eels a number of times down the left edge.

“Hughes set up four tries tonight.”

Cooper Cronk believes Hughes put on a masterclass on halfback play to torch the Eels.

“Jahrome Hughes was simply outstanding,” Cronk said.

“Four try assists, three linebreaks and one try himself.

“For any young half go and watch Jahrome Hughes play tonight. It was so good. It was elite ball playing.

“The fact that he was doing things with his hips and the ball and his eyes and absolutely bamboozling the Eels defence.

“He was looking left and going right and looking right and going left and isolating big guys on small guys and coming up with some big right foot steps.

“He was terrific and delivered on a big night for the Melbourne Storm.”

“Hughes was the best player on the park,” Corey Parker added.

EELS DOMINATED TO DROP OUT OF THE TOP EIGHT

The Eels were outclassed by Grant and Hughes, but they were unable to get their power game going as they missed Reagan Campbell-Gillard in the middle.

The Eels have now dropped out of the eight and must win at least two of their last four games to play finals according to Cronk.

“Brad Arthur said Dylan Brown has to repay his teamamtes because their season is on the line,” Cronk said.

“I expect a huge return next week from Dylan Brown.

“In terms of what their season looks like that was a tough loss tonight. The Eels have jumped into that logjam around eighth spot.

“They currently sit in ninth on 24 points. Cowboys are in eighth on 26.

“Last year seventh and eighth were on 30 points and that got you into the finals. With four games to go with the bye they probably need to win two of those.

“They have the Dragons, Broncos, Roosters and Panthers. The Dragons next week is a must win.

“Their season is absolutely on the line next week against the Dragons.”

Corey Parker believes the Eels forwards were pulled apart by Hughes and Grant and 30 points might not be enough to get them in the finals.

“I think it you are going to need 32 points to make the finals,” Parker said.

“It might come down to points scored and conceded, but If you are relying on points differentials to get into the top eight you are clutching at straws.

“Tonight it was glaringly obvious that the Storm were just able to pull apart their middles too easily.

“They were too big and caught out laterally by Grant and Hughes.”

GRANT CLINIC CUTS EELS TO PIECES

Jahrome Hughes may have brought the game home for the Storm, but Harry Grant set up the win with a decisive double in the first half.

Michael Ennis lauded Grant’s ability to take the game by the scruff of the neck and set the victory up with his running game and creativity out of dummyhalf.

“You got the feeling tonight that Harry Grant was going to have a big impact on the game,” Ennis said.

“Around the ruck the Storm put the blowtorch on the Parramatta side and cut them to pieces.

“Grant out of dummyhalf was an absolute nightmare for Parramatta. It was a brilliant performance from Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes starring in every facet tonight.”

Cronk believes Grant set up the win by putting the team on his back early and the rest of the Storm players followed his lead.

“Harry Grant was tremendous,” Cronk said.

“Your leaders need to lead the way and everyone follows and Grant was brilliant to start the game.”

MATCH PREVIEW