Next Tuesday will be the eighth installment of the ANZAC Day rivalry between Storm and the Warriors.
We look back at some of the memorable game and moments that have happened in this traditional blockbuster over the years.
The Draw – 2009
The game that started it all. When Storm hosted the Warriors on ANZAC Day, 2009 it may not have been the first time the Victorian club had played on April 25 but it would prove the start of a special tradition. Storm raced out to a 10-0 first half lead but ANZAC Day games have a habit of being turned on their heads. The Warriors scored a try in the shadows of half-time and Storm were suddenly down two players, with Kevin Proctor and Anthony Quinn succumbing to injuries. Will Chambers still found a way to restore Melbourne’s 10-point lead before the Warriors fought their way back to ensure the teams would share the spoils in the inaugural ANZAC Day clash.
The ANZAC Day Blockbuster. 25 April. AAMI Park. Be there!
Building back up – 2010
There was no shortage of emotion in the second installment of this ANZAC Day rivalry. Just days earlier the NRL has stripped the Club of all competition points for the 2010 season. More than 23,906 Storm fans turned out at Docklands to support their boys and the men in purple did not disappoint. Melbourne took out a week of frustration on the Warriors, racing out to a 22-0 half-time lead and eventually running out 40-6 winners. Matt Duffie scored a hat-trick in his Storm debut while Cameron Smith scored one of his own as well as slotting six out of seven with the boot.
The Rollercoaster – 2013
Eight tries. Five lead changes. A capacity crowd. What more could you ask for? This game had just about everything. It began with four tries in the first half as the sides headed for the sheds locked at 10-all. Shaun Johnson broke the deadlock with half an hour to play when he intercepted an errant pass to run 80m up-field. Storm hit straight back though through Sisa Waqa before a Johnson penalty again edged the visitors into the advantage. Melbourne would not be denied though, as Waqa, Cooper Cronk and Will Chambers combined for a three-man-weave style of play to score. Billy Slater then sealed the 28-18 win with five minutes to play.
