Stats that Matter - Round 20

128

Melbourne is developing a habit of putting their opponents to the sword at AAMI Park. In their last three games at home, Storm have scored an average of 42 points. It is a scary statistic for opposition sides making the trip down south. The purple fortress is clearly alive and well heading into the back end of the season.

20

The first twenty minutes set up this win. Storm controlled 60 per cent of possession, completed 10 of 11 sets, made nine tackle breaks and scored two tries. The Raiders were on the back foot from the outset and sensing that, Melbourne continued to pile on the pressure throughout the 80 minutes. The result was a free-flowing pile of points as the Storm attack clicked into gear.

14

Saturday night's win over the Raiders was Melbourne's 14th of the season - that is just one less than this time last year. That is a stat that could be hard to believe given the slow 6-5 start to the year this side made. Even their current eight game winning streak has included some patchy form however this team is finding a way to just get it done and one suspects it is only just getting started.

2

With tonight's win Melbourne Storm move two games clear into the top four. It is a healthy buffer with five games of the home and away season to play. Add to that they also boast the best points differential in the competition. A crunch match awaits next Friday night against the Rabbitohs in Sydney. If Melbourne can make it nine in a row and return to Victoria with the points, it will be a game clear inside the top two.