Raiders' Bailey Simonsson's hat-trick not enough to down record-writing Storm

A Bailey Simonsson hat-trick was not enough to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat as the Canberra Raiders fell 26-16 to the Melbourne Storm.

In what could prove costly for their finals hopes, the Raiders dropped points after starting so strongly on the Sunshine Coast when Simonsson crossed over within the opening five minutes.

Simonsson would repeat the feat in the opening minutes of the second half, scoring in near-identical circumstances after Jack Wighton picked the winger out with a stunning cut-out pass.

A defensive lapse moments later from Storm Youngster Dean Ieremia gifted Simonsson his third and lifted the Raiders to within four points of the Storm.

But it wasn't enough, as the experience of Craig Bellamy's men came to the fore to see out the match by 10 points at the final whistle.

Despite the Raiders' late theatrics, the Storm dominated the night, getting into gear with three unanswered tries after a slow start.

Bellamy's men would also set a new club record for scoring the most amount of points in a season with still three rounds to go.

The win strengthens the Storm's minor premiership hopes, while the Raiders will be eager not to drop any more points by season's end.

Would you believe it? A third try to Bailey Simonsson in similar circumstances has inspired an almighty fightback from the Raiders.

They now trail the Storm by just one try thanks to the Canberra winger's antics down the left flank.

It's an emphatic performance from Simonsson who is playing his first game since round 16.

The Canberra Raiders have scored a "carbon copy" of their opening try to kick-off the second half.

In near-identical circumstances, Jack Wighton received the ball across the line and shot a stunning cut-out pass to Bailey Simonsson who crossed over.

"That was very similar to the first try," Eighth Immortal Andrew Johns said.

Cowboys legend Johnathan Thurston replied: "That was a carbon copy."

It took a while for the Storm to get going but by half-time, they're by far and away ahead in this contest.

Pressure is mounting for the Raiders who need as many points as they can as the finals race heats up.

A try to Chris Lewis thanks to shotty Raiders defence has seen this Melbourne Storm team notch the most amount of points scored for the club in a single season.

"There was some tired defence there, it just opened up," Phil Gould said in commentary.

Storm teen Dean Ieremia has announced himself on the NRL stage with a spectacular solo try against the Raiders.

Collecting the ball on the right edge around halfway, the 19-year-old burnt past Jarrod Croker before side-stepping Jordan Rapana to cruise over and give the Storm the lead.

"There was some tired defence there," said Phil Gould.

The Melbourne Storm are already on the back foot against the Raiders after Bailey Simonsson crossed over in the opening five minutes on the Sunshine Coast.

Moving the ball across the line, a perfect cut-out pass from Jack Wighton caught the Storm defence rushing out, leaving Simonsson to collect and dot down.

"That was a pre-meditated pass," Eighth Immortal Andrew Johns said.

"That's great coaching from Ricky Stuart, a beautiful pass there."

NRL guru Phil Gould added: "That couldn't have been a worse start for the storm."

Cowboys legend Johnathan Thurston agreed: "That's put them under the pump."