In a thrilling match on Saturday night, Ryan Papenhuyzen secured a 25-24 victory for the Melbourne Storm with a one-point field goal during golden point, clinching the win against South Sydney. The encounter kept fans on the edge of their seats, characterised by a series of lead changes and intense moments.
Star player Alex Johnston showcased his exceptional talent, scoring four tries at Accor Stadium, propelling him to a total of 206 first-grade tries—just six behind the legendary Ken Irvine’s record. In a key moment of the match, Latrell Mitchell delivered a perfectly timed grubber kick that allowed Tyrone Munro to score, levelling the game in the 77th minute.
The Storm started strong, racing to a 12-0 lead within the first seven minutes. However, they faced challenges in the second half, trailing twice before rallying back to take the lead once more. A standout play came in the 69th minute from the agile winger Sualauvi Fa’alogo, who skillfully caught a high ball from Mitchell before breaking through South Sydney’s defence and assisting Tyran Wishart, who sprinted to the try line.
In the crucial moments of golden point, Papenhuyzen calmly slotted a field goal from 15 metres out, snatching victory for Melbourne. The match was a testament to the resilience and skill of both teams, with the Storm ultimately prevailing in a contest filled with dramatic twists and turns.
As fans anticipate the rest of the season, Melbourne’s ability to secure wins in close encounters will certainly be a talking point. For those eager to catch the action of the upcoming NRL premiership, it will be available to watch live and free on Nine and 9Now.