A Josh Addo-Carr hat-trick wasn’t sufficient for Canterbury to safe an upset NRL victory over Melbourne, with the Storm holding on 16-14 in a high-voltage conflict.
The Bulldogs speedster, in his first match again after a round-four concussion, bagged three tries within the second half to overturn a 10-0 deficit at AAMI Park on Friday evening.
However Melbourne second-rower Shawn Blore crossed with six minutes remaining to regain the lead and the hosts managed to carry on for the win.
The Storm delivered the opening blow within the second minute when fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen stole a ball from Josh Curran and scrambled by the defence to attain.
They pushed the lead out to 10 factors when Xavier Coates took a towering bomb and as he was being bundled into contact, managed to grubber the ball again in-field which was scooped up by Reimis Smith.
Because the groups headed into halftime, Papenhuyzen was placed on report for a hip drop deal with on former Storm winger Addo-Carr that was picked up by the bunker.
The guests confirmed loads of promise within the first half however failed to complete, with eight errors and solely finishing at 65 per cent, with Addo-Carr going into contact as he skipped down the sideline making an attempt to attain.
He made no mistake on his subsequent likelihood when operating on to a Bronson Xerri move and racing 60 metres to the touch down.
Addo-Carr was in once more 9 minutes later when the Bulldogs despatched the ball to their harmful left aspect with Xerri tapping the ball on for his winger.
Each groups went all the way down to 12 males — Canterbury shedding Sam Hughes, who was placed on report for a forearm to the pinnacle of Christian Welch.
Papenhuyzen joined him within the sin bin for knowledgeable foul, dominated to have pushed Stephen Crichton as they raced to the in-goal.
Within the subsequent set the guests hit the lead 14-10 with a protracted ball out vast from Matt Burton ending with Addo-Carr diving throughout within the nook, persevering with a nightmare outing for his reverse Will Warbrick.
It appeared the Canine would depart with a well-deserved victory however the Storm had the ultimate say when Blore barged throughout for the match-winner.
AAP