'Way too easy': Broncos embarrassed by Storm as Jahrome Hughes stakes claim for Dally M Medal
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Melbourne have embarrassed the Broncos 50-12 on their home turf, ending a diabolical 2024 campaign for Kevin Walters and his under-fire squad.
In a completely one-sided affair at Suncorp Stadium, the contest was over inside the opening 20 minutes as the Storm flew out to an early lead with relative ease.
Will Warbrick bagged a double in quick succession as young fullback Sua Fa'alogo lit up his rivals, while Jahrome Hughes continued to mount his case for the Dally M Medal.
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One moment in the opening half - which saw the minor premiers on top at 28-6 heading into the break - left rugby league great Paul Vautin scratching his head.
Hughes put back-rower Eli Katoa through half a gap and the back-rower strolled past some ordinary Broncos defenders to plant the ball down.
"It doesn't get much easier," Vautin said on the Nine broadcast.
"He breezed through them and cruised over the line. That is really soft defence. You have to be better than this, they are just sticking their arms out."
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It was more of the same when Harry Grant darted over from dummy-half and his former mentor Cameron Smith couldn't believe his eyes.
"That is way too easy," he said.
"You can not afford to be taking dummies like that. Harry Grant is always going to ask the question and he got the answer he wanted."
The second half continued to go from bad to worse, with star playmaker Hughes darting over while the Broncos waved the white flag in defence.
Jahrome Hughes scores a try against the Broncos. Nine
"Once again, this on-line defence from the Broncos is just awful," Vautin said.
Things did begin to sour late in the game for the Storm however, with two of their players now facing a nervous wait.
Fa'alogo was forced from the field with a hamstring injury and looked to be in quite a bit of pain as he was assisted by the club's medical staff.
Sua Fa'alogo leaves the field with a hamstring injury. Nine
Elsewhere, the previously-mentioned Katoa was sin-binned for a high tackle on Tristan Sailor and could now find himself in hot water with the match review committee.
The headaches didn't halt the onslaught however, with Coates also getting on the score sheet before Hughes completed his hat-trick.
Melbourne brought up the half-century as Warbrick also scored his third, capping off a floating cut-out pass from Hughes, who had his hand in just about everything.
