NRL – Billy and Storm Blasts Manly

The 2008 NRL premiers face an anxious wait to see if they stay in the 2009 finals race. This comes after they were thumped by a committed Melbourne Storm outfit. Billy Slater lead the way with four tries as Melbourne took the match 40-8.

Melbourne were ahead 16-0 at the half-time break and pushed that lead out to 34-0 before Manly got on the board with a Steve Matai try. Melbourne fans booed the try as they were looking for a 40-0 scoreline to match that of the grand final in 2008. For the players it was not so much about revenge but moving on towards another grand final.

To go with Slater’s four tries Nielsen, Smith and Tolman also scored. For Manly Foran added a try to the earlier one by Matai.

The crowd was perhaps a bit disappointing as only 21,155 turned out for the match at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.

If teams below Manly can win this weekend the finals campaign for the Sea Eagles could be over.

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