CAMERON Smith was desperate to win for his mate Billy Slater in his 250th game last night.
While the Melbourne Storm fullback was determined to get up for Smith as the captain was breaking Matt Geyer’s club record of 262 games.
Both men this week said they believed the other’s milestone was the bigger occasion.
It is the type of selfless attitude that helps explain why Storm has been a powerhouse for so long.
And how they found the will to hold off a determined Penrith at AAMI Park last night.
Before the match, no one factored in Penrith pushing Melbourne to the brink.
In all the champagne popping of the past week, no one seemed to envisage they would lose last night.
They very nearly did.
Cameron Smith with his kids Jada, Jaspar and Matilda and Billy Slater with Tyla and Jake make there way out onto the ground. Source: News Corp Australia
Penrith had no sense of occasion and were determined to spoil the mood.
Head referee Ashley Klein also appeared to care little for the milestone.
The AAMI Park crowd was stunned when Slater was dubiously sent to the sin bin in the second half for a professional foul.
He was judged to have interfered with a play the ball.
Billy Slater argues his case with referee Ashley Klein. Source: News Limited
But what was seen as an injustice in the eyes of many Storm people appeared to fire up the side.
Scores were level 16-16 late in the game when a Cooper Cronk field goal with five minutes remaining edged his side ahead by a point.
A Peter Wallace drop goal squared the match with two minutes left before Cronk again put one over the crossbar to lead by a point.
In a late twist, Penrith received a penalty with seconds remaining.
But Wallace’s penalty kick to win the match from 40m out went wide.
It was the second time in two weeks Storm have won by a point.
Mahe Fonua gets airborne on his way to the tryline. Source: News Corp Australia
Storm coach Craig Bellamy was thrilled his side could get the win to pay tribute to their two favourite sons in Smith and Slater. “You’d be thinking with 29 seconds to go and Cooper kicks a field goal we’d probably be home but that’s sport,” said Bellamy.
“When Peter had that chance at the end it could have gone either way.
“We’re really proud the guys did find a way.
“It wasn’t pretty at stages but they found a way.” Slater didn’t feel his offence was sin-bin worthy and said he was surprised to be sent to the sheds.
“I didn’t feel that I had too many options to get out of the road and I was pushed into that zone,” he said.
“They’ve (referees) got to make a judgement decision right there and then.”
Sisa Waqa unloads a pass against the Panthers. Source: News Limited
Storm led 8-0 early and many would have expected Melbourne by how many.
But this is not five years ago or even two years ago.
Melbourne has come back to the pack, or maybe it is just that other teams have improved.
Whatever it is, there is little doubt it is becoming harder than it used to be to get a hold of teams.
It is the cyclical nature of this competition and Storm is not exempt from this.
Cooper Cronk kicks the field goal that put Storm 18-17 in front. Source: News Limited
But they are still a big premiership contender and Saturday was the proof.
Melbourne never says die and they are still a force to be reckoned with.
The Panthers suffered a blow before the kick off with five-eighth Jamie Soward a late withdrawal with a back injury.
But it didn’t seem to affect his side early o with Penrith enjoying plenty of opportunity.
Yet Melbourne was first to score through back-rower Kevin Proctor.
Cameron Smith presents Billy Slater with the match ball after his 250th game. Source: News Limited
The big Kiwi barged his way over after a deft pass from Cronk.
They were quickly over again through winger Mahe Fonua and then Sisa Waqa.
A double from Panthers winger Kevin Naiqama meant the margin was just two points after 30 minutes.
A Jordan McLean skill error led to a Josh Mansour try early in the second half.
The second half was played in torrential rain and that was to be the last four-pointer of the match.
Both sides were desperate but it was Melbourne that found a way to win.
The champagne was on ice for a long time in the second half.
But it tasted sweet at full-time.
MELBOURNE 18 (M Fonua K Proctor S Waqa tries C Smith 2 goals C Cronk 2 field goals) bt PENRITH 17 (K Naiqama 2 J Mansour tries P Wallace 2 goals P Wallace field goal) at AAMI Park. Referee: Ashley Klein, Adam Gee. Crowd: 13,952.
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