Storm overpower Warriors 30-14

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy says Fijian Marika Koroibete has been his side's most consistent performer, starring in their 30-14 win over the Warriors.

Marika Koroibete scores a try

Storm' Marika Koroibete put on an awesome display of power to help set up a 30-14 win over Warriors. (AAP)

Melbourne winger Marika Koroibete has continued to prove the doubters wrong with another dazzling display to help the Storm to a 30-14 win over the Warriors.

Unwanted by Wests Tigers, Koroibete joined the Storm last June and has started this NRL season as Melbourne's most consistent performer.

Showing off his power and pace he scored two tries among the Storm's five at AAMI Park - and set up another with a 70 metre break.

Coach Craig Bellamy said the recruitment of Koroibete had been a master-stroke.

"He's been outstanding," Bellamy said.

"He's playing well, he's really confident, very intelligent guy and he just loves that contact.

"When you put that down with the speed that he's got it's quite remarkable.

"I've got no reservations in saying he got us out of trouble tonight a couple of times."

The Warriors dominated possession early but failed to make any inroads on the scoreboard, letting themselves down with errors.

Winger Mahe Fonua opened the scoring for the home side before Koroibete ran through and around four defenders for his first.

The Storm led 12-4 at half-time after a late effort by Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei, who somehow managed to ground the ball carrying four Storm players across the line.

Melbourne fullback Billy Slater was crunched in a bone-rattling hit by Vatuvei but late in the half chased down Shaun Johnson and managed to ankle-tap him to save a certain try.

"I thought Johnson was gone when he stepped Bill and that was probably the biggest play of the game," Bellamy said.

With many of their own fans among the 18,179, the Warriors got back to 18-10 but couldn't build enough pressure to get the necessary points.

Warriors coach Andrew McFadden lamented their 61 per cent completion rate and said the lack of combinations due to backline injuries hurt them.

"I thought we turned up in terms of the attitude but you can't win a footy game if you drop that much ball," McFadden said.

"We've had a lot of rotation in our backs in the last five games but it really comes down to having a bit more pride in securing the ball.

"It's a fundamental but it's really hurting us."


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Source: AAP


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