Dolphins demolition secures Storm another minor premiership

The Dolphins race to the finals is hanging by a thread after the Melbourne Storm secured another minor premiership with a 48-6 victory.
The achievement is the club’s sixth since 2011, having only needed a win to claim the shield after defeating the Penrith Panthers 24-22 last week.
“It is a well deserved minor premiership. We worked really hard this year, the staff, players, everyone behind the scenes deserve this,” Cameron Munster told Fox League post-match.
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“The boys really dug deep tonight. We will continue to celebrate but unfortunately we have a short turn around for next week, but I’m sure the club will get around it soon.
“A lot of our spine has been out this year. and he’s just kept steering the ship. (Jahrome Hughes) is one of the reasons we are minor premiers this year.
“For someone who wasn’t a halfback at the start of his career… he’s just sweeping the awards with what he’s doing.”
Melbourne’s success was clouded by a contentious try to Sualauvi Faalogo who appeared to ground the ball on the dead-ball line.
Eliesa Katoa followed Jahrome Hughes to score his 11th try of the season, before the Dolphins found the line through Jake Averillo in the 66th minute.
Hughes set up his second try of the night through Josh King, who strolled over untouched from 20 metres out to seal the victory.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona of the Storm celebrates scoring a try. Getty
It took 19 minutes before Sualauvi Faalogo and Harry Grant crossed to break the stalemate, but a Melbourne onslaught quickly followed.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s 200th celebrations were hindered as he was pulled from the field with a cork, however, he later returned to find the line.
“It is Nelson’s night in Melbourne,” Dan Ginnane said in commentary for Fox Sports.
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Wayne Bennett’s men felt the pressure of key absences as Felise Kaufusi was given marching orders, as well as Kodi Nikorima and Jesse Bromwich to head knocks.
Hughes orchestrated the line to capitalise on the one-man advantage recording two tries in three minutes.