by Shane Saroya – EM TV Sports, Port Moresby
For the first time in history, the Sydney Roosters and the Melbourne Storm met in the first finals match – a rather surprising stat given the success both clubs have enjoyed in the modern era.
The major talking point heading into Friday night’s match was the fitness of Storm skipper, Cameron Smith, but the captain showed no signs of fatigue as he kicked four goals to lead his side home in a 2-point victory of the Sydneysiders.
The champion hooker had not trained all week, and was absent from Monday’s captains call, as he continued to battle a virus that had left him bed-ridden all week.
But like any champions athlete, Smith was there to lead home his side and book a place in week three of the finals campaign.
The Storm, following their hard fought 20-18 win last night sit just one win away from yet another Grand Final appearance.
In a match where little separated the two sides, a rare try from unlikely match-sealer prop Tim Glasby with nine minutes remaining would ultimately prove the difference as the Storm handed their opponents their first loss since being defeated by the Sharks 10-4 back in Round 13.
