Storm hold off Bulldogs comeback
A late rally by the Bulldogs proved not enough in their encounter in Melbourne. Photo: Getty Images
Some make the mistake of claiming that the misleadingly labelled grand final ''replay'' presents the opportunity for revenge, when the diminished stakes mean there can be no such satisfaction. But the return clash can provide some measure of how teams have rebounded from the euphoria of victory and the disappointment of defeat.
On the evidence of a tight, sometimes enthralling encounter between the Storm and the Bulldogs, Melbourne have done so exceptionally. Well enough, on the back of a thrilling victory, to yet again make the robust start that will fortify them against the abundant distractions a star-studded line-up endures during the representative season.
Having resisted an unexpected revival by the Bulldogs who laid siege to their line in the dying minutes, the only concern for the Storm was the contentious report of champion fullback Billy Slater early in the second half in an incident that brought a physical edge to what had been a largely tactical battle. Whether Slater was already in the air when he took a high ball, or whether he deliberately put his boot into the throat of young Bulldogs forward David Klemmer will be the source of some debate. Particularly if Slater is convicted of what the replay suggested was a most unlikely offence.
Suffice to say Slater, the man allegedly bitten by another Dogs' forward James Graham in last year's grand final, can find trouble against Canterbury. For their part, the Bulldogs found the try line soon after Slater's flying foot. Josh Reynolds' chip to Sam Perrett reduced a 10-0 half-time deficit to 10-6, and suddenly enlivened a game the Storm had controlled.
If Slater's flying kick was unusual, the game's other contentious moment was more orthodox. A try by Cronk disallowed for obstruction. But Matt Duffie's spectacular take from Cronk's chip meant Melbourne got their game-clinching try, and a well-deserved two points.
But if the Bulldogs were outplayed, they were certainly not embarrassed. Their second fling was even more meritorious given they were missing star fullback Ben Barba and forwards Frank Pritchard, Sam Kasiano and Graham from last year's grand final line-up.
Oddly, the Dogs had not scored a point in the second half of their past three games, including the grand final. They erased that grim statistic with three second half tries - the last by halfback Kris Keating, with five minutes left, even raising hopes of a miraculous victory given they had trailed by 10 points with just five minutes on the clock. Instead, there was the frustration of a brave defeat.
That was characteristic of the admirable determination the Bulldogs showed not to allow early-season distractions, and talented absentees, undermine them. Sufficient, you would imagine, to conquer all but the Storm's potent blend of talent and organisation. Something that led to a scoreboard that did not quite reflect the contest.
There was no score in last year's grand final after the 39th minute. As that arm wrestle continued into Thursday night's game, the question became not who would score, but if anyone would.
The early rounds have been characterised by teams playing with strength, but no adventure. This time, however, the stalemate was mostly a case of tight defence and a mutual respect that militated against risk-taking.
When both sides did find a spark, ball-handling errors or terrific cover defence snuffed out the flame. Not least by Bulldogs fullback Drury Low, looked like a genuine replacement for Barba. Not some starstruck understudy struggling to remember his lines.
In that regard, the Storm's first try was almost embarrassingly simple. Cooper Cronk putting Ryan Hinchcliffe into a gaping hole on 21 minutes to romp across the line. Amazing space in a game that would not open up until the second half.
For all that, Bulldogs return from the game's most difficult assignment with a 1-2 record knowing, yet knowing - not simply hoping - there are better nights to come. Most obviously, there is the imminent return of Barba - perhaps as soon as next Friday's match against Souths - that should keep the Dogs head high despite the scoreline.