NRL round 17 Saturday RECAP: Xavier Coates scores 'special' try for double in Storm win; Knights firebrand sin-binned for wild face slap; Maika Sivo reported as Eels thump Dolphins

Thank you for tuning into Wide World of Sports' live coverage of Saturday night's NRL action.

Despite missing Cameron Munster, Melbourne put in a clinical second half performance to finish off Manly at AAMI Park.

Sea Eagles skipper Daly Cherry-Evans was disappointed post-game but gave an indication that one of his side's key men in Jake Trbojevic could return to the side from injury soon. Read more here.

After losing to Penrith, Newcastle Knights coach Adam O'Brien addressed a major incident in the match when Jack Hetherington was sin binned for a slap on Izack Tago. Read more here.

Parramatta also scored a massive win against the Dolphins for the opening match on Saturday afternoon. Maika Sivo could be in trouble for a raise forearm though which was put on report. Read more here.

It's full time at AAMI Park as Melbourne finish the match 24-6 winners, showing too much class to polish off Manly.

The Storm did it with Sir Bob Geldof watching on, in a unexpected appearance.

Xavier Coates has scored one of the most spectacular tries you'll see in the NRL this year.

The winger jumped incredibly high in the corner, avoiding heading out and doing the splits over the corner post to score his second.

NRL legend Greg Alexander compared the effort to Dallin Watene-Zelezniak's jumping try on Friday night against the Dragons.

"Some of his (Watene-Zelezniak) put downs were spectacular but Coates just matched that with his own special (effort)," he said.

Melbourne lead 24-6 with four minutes to go as Daly Cherry-Evans departs for a rest.

Newcastle Knights coach Adam O'Brien has sprayed Jack Hetherington for a slap on Izack Tago that led to the firebrand being sin binned.

His forward wasn't the only person he singled out though.

"I could clearly see he got slapped from the ground. That one was hidden, Jack's wasn't — Jack's was pretty blatant," O'Brien said in his press conference.

"It wasn't a smart thing to do by Jack — I think he'd be the first one to admit that.

"But if you're getting 10 minutes for striking in the face, I can clearly see him getting struck from the ground up. It's still a strike to the face."

Read more here.

After playing an important role for Queensland in its Origin II victory, Xavier Coates' form has continued, scoring against Manly.

The winger finished off a wonderful grubber from Jonah Pezet, 40 metres out from the tryline before Coates barged over the defence.

Nick Meaney misses the kick.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona has his first try of the night, running off a short ball from Jahrome Hughes and going straight past Josh Schuster.

The Melbourne big man hit the try-line with a tongue out to the crowd after finding no fullback covering in defence.

Nick Meaney converts the try.

Lachlan Croker has left the field after a heavy collision while trying to tackle Aaron Pene.

The Storm forward was then penalised for foul play.

"I've seen worse elbows than that this year that haven't been penalised," NRL legend Greg Alexander said on Fox League.

Play has resumed at AAMI Park, the last match the Melbourne will play the ground until round 24.

Manly kicked off to the Storm.

A hail Mary play from Justin Olam right on half-time didn't come to fruition for the Storm with the centre kicking on half way with a number of Melbourne runners coming through.

Manly managed to bat it dead though as the Storm lead 10-6 at the break.

In a sloppy first half, the Storm has shown their brilliance to take an advantage.

For the whole opening 40 minutes, Melbourne seem to be missing the presence of Cameron Munster with a number of passes going to ground or out, but now they're in the lead.

A grubber from Jahrome Hughes found youngster Jonah Pezet running through the line to put the ball down off a quality bounce.

Nick Meaney makes it 10-6.