Stats That Matter - Round 19

45

Felise Kaufusi meant business in his first Storm game for over a month. Kaufusi led Melbourne with 45 tackles, in what was a personal season-high. He also had 122 running metres for good measure. The experience he gained at Origin level for Queensland would have helped the 26-year-old take his game to the next level and Melbourne are set to reap the benefits heading into the back end of the season.

16

The purple wall is full steam ahead. Just once during Melbourne's seven game winning run have they conceded more than 16 points - allowing an average of less than 13 over that stretch. In a sign of this side's incredible consistency Storm have conceded one more point than they did at this stage of last season. That has resulted in the best points differential in the NRL.

7

The halfback auditions continued on Sunday and Jahrome Hughes certainly staked his claim for the permanent role. The 23-year-old produced the line break assist that sent Will Chambers 50 metres downfield to score the first try of the game and then measured the high ball for Suliasi Vunivalu to cross the line in the shadows of half-time. Craig Bellamy is a big fan of the 'footy smarts' Hughes' possesses and has helped him make every post a winner since first coming into the side back in Round 12.

5

Five tries in six weeks for Suliasi Vunivalu. It is no coincidence that as soon as the Fijian Flyer has begun to hit his straps the side has gone on an incredible run. After crossing the line just five times in the opening 12 games, Vunivalu now has 10 in 17 to close the gap on the competition's leading try scorers.