LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The Melbourne Storm secured a hard-fought victory in the finals opener against the Canterbury Bulldogs, showcasing resilience amidst injury setbacks.
Jonah Pezet delivered an exceptional performance, effectively managing the game and earning the man of the match title, thanks in part to his outstanding kicking abilities.
Cameron Munster also played a pivotal role, while the forwards, particularly Stefano Utoikamanu and Eliesa Katoa, stood out for the Storm.
For the Bulldogs, Toby Sexton, coming off the bench, along with Matt Burton and Connor Tracey, shared the spotlight with commendable performances.
Below are the player ratings from this competitive finals matchup, and for those interested, a full match report is available.
Melbourne Storm Player Ratings:
Nick Meaney - 6.5
Will Warbrick - 7.5
Grant Anderson - 6.5
Jack Howarth - 7.5
Xavier Coates - 7
Cameron Munster - 8.5
Jonah Pezet -9
Stefano Utoikamanu - 8
Harry Grant - 7
Josh King - 6.5
Joe Chan - 4
Eliesa Katoa - 8
Trent Loiero - 7
Tyran Wishart - 6
Ativalu Lisati - 6
Alec MacDonald - 6.5
Tui Kamikamica - 5
Canterbury Bulldogs Player Ratings:
Connor Tracey - 8
Jethro Rinakama - 6.5
Enari Tuala - 6
Stephen Crichton - 5
Jacob Kiraz - 7
Matt Burton - 8
Lachlan Galvin - 6.5
Max King - 6.5
Bailey Hayward - 5
Josh Curran - 6
Viliame Kikau - 7.5
Jacob Preston - 7
Jaeman Salmon - 6
Kurt Mann - 5.5
Sitili Tupouniua - 7
Toby Sexton - 8
Harry Hayes - 6