A 60-point win is usually cause for celebrations but not at the Melbourne Storm.
The defending NRL champions thrashed hapless Parramatta 64-4 at AAMI Park, running in 11 tries to one as the Eels defence disintegrated in the second half.
Parramatta scored the opening try in the fourth minute, through winger Semi Radradra, and only trailed 16-4 at halftime; two statistics that Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith wasn't happy with.
"I still don't reckon we're playing as best we can," Smith said.
"If we were out there playing the ruthless footy that we want to play, it should have been more than 16 points in the first half.
"I was a little bit disappointed with our first half, if we played well it should have been around the 30-point mark."
Chalking up two 60-point wins in the past month, also accounting for Canberra 68-4 in round 21, the signs for a Storm title defence are ominous.
Just like last season, Melbourne have emerged from a form slump to find some winning momentum with the NRL finals looming.
Coach Craig Bellamy said his team couldn't rely on a saloon path through to the grand final just because it happened last year.
"I don't like going back 12 months and thinking this is the same and this happened different," Bellamy said.
"It's a different team we've got and different circumstances.
"Last year we were in the top two, this year we're in the top four.
"We've got to respond and react to what's happening now with this team."
Star Storm fullback Billy Slater finished with a try-scoring hat-trick, while Ryan Hoffman and Will Chambers both collected doubles.
The Bromwich brothers were both smiling after Kenny and older brother Jesse also crossed the line.
Parramatta have now lost 12 of their past 13 games and are destined for back-to-back wooden spoons.
Coach Ricky Stuart was understandably bitterly disappointed in the showing.
"It's been a tough season for all involved," he said.
"I'm not taking anything away from the Storm today but gee we made it easy in patches today.
"I feel sorry for some players out there playing because they didn't deserve that."
A former Raiders champion, Stuart has been linked to the vacant Canberra job but said he "had a job to do" with Parramatta.
The Storm's only injury concern was with Jason Ryles, who hurt his shoulder when he was felled by a "falcon".
The veteran prop said he was momentarily knocked out by the ball being kicked into his head and after a stint on the sidelines said his shoulder was sore.
His coach wasn't too sure.
"It might have been just that Rylesy didn't want to go back on, he was pretty comfy in that chair."
