In a thrilling NRL encounter, Melbourne narrowly secured a 34-30 victory over the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium, navigating a contentious decision that left fans buzzing. This intense match saw Melbourne’s star halfback, Jahrome Hughes, exit the game due to a dislocated shoulder, yet the Storm managed to clinch two valuable points despite a peculiar oversight by the Bunker during the second half.
As the teams exchanged leads throughout the game, the Roosters took the advantage in the 64th minute when Zach Dockar-Clay capitalised on a loose ball from Sam Walker’s kick. Celebrations erupted among the Roosters’ players; however, replays revealed that James Tedesco had been offside while pursuing Walker’s kick, raising questions about the legitimacy of the try.
Commentator Andrew Johns expressed disbelief over the situation, while fellow commentator Johnathan Thurston pointed out the critical error from Tedesco, stating that he “just can’t get that wrong”. Surprisingly, video official Chris Butler validated the try, leaving viewers astonished, particularly as an aerial shot confirmed Tedesco’s offside position.
Despite the Roosters’ temporary lead, Melbourne responded through Stefano Utoikamanu, regaining the lead with less than ten minutes remaining. The Roosters pushed hard for a late score to seize victory, but a critical forward pass on the final play of the match meant the Storm held firm.
Mat Thompson encapsulated the match’s drama by stating it was “one of their great wins,” praising Melbourne for their resilience in overcoming a fiercely contested match. The Storm’s success is particularly commendable given they were without key players like Cameron Munster, Ryan Papenhuyzen, and Nelson Asofa-Solomona, with Hughes exiting early in the second half. Harry Grant’s outstanding performance proved pivotal, driving the Melbourne team to a memorable victory amidst adversity.