LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Melbourne Storm have advanced to the preliminary finals, but their victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs on Friday night revealed several flaws in their performance. The team secured an eight-point win, yet faced challenges that were evident throughout the match.
At various moments, the Bulldogs had the momentum but failed to maintain their focus. Now, it will be up to Cameron Ciraldo to determine the team's direction moving forward.
Here are the key talking points from the opening match of the NRL finals.
Jonah Pezet must start if Jahrome Hughes is still injured
For the second time in three weeks, Craig Bellamy made a late decision to replace the injured Jahrome Hughes with Jonah Pezet, while Tyran Wishart came off the bench. This strategy proved to be highly effective.
Pezet delivered an impressive performance for the Storm, showcasing a kicking game that echoed the talents of great players from the past. He consistently placed the ball precisely where he intended, demonstrating exceptional skill.