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Melbourne Storm forward hooked after Craig Bellamy spray as powerhouse club's struggles hit new low against Warriors

Lachlan Harper
Lachlan Harper

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Melbourne's decline after last year's grand final loss has hit a new low after the powerhouse club was smashed 38-14 at home against the Warriors.

The conceding of 50 against the Panthers was a major shock but the nature of the performance against New Zealand will have Craig Bellamy seriously worried.

The super coach's anger peaked when he delivered a spray to second-rower Joe Chan at half-time as his side trailed 18-14.

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"I've sat in that chair, just a bit of advice for Joe, don't talk back to Craig, it didn't work well for me last time I did that," Cooper Cronk said on Fox League.

Craig Bellamy sprays Joe Chan. Fox League

Chan had been guilty of errors, a ruck infringment and a penalty in the first half.

Lock Trent Loiero was also ill-discilpined and placed on report for a high shot before the break. Loiero was fined $3,000 for a grade one careless high tackle.

"Trent Loiero and Joe Chan I imagine are going to get a speaking to from Craig Bellamy ... they have put their side under pressure tonight with some ill-discipline," Mick Ennis said.

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The rev-up didn't work because Chan had an error early in the second half and was hooked in the 45th minute and didn't return.

"It's tough, he's had a tough night, we've all had tough nights. He's a good player, Chan," Ennis said.

Joe Chan after he was hooked to the bench. Fox League

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Following the break, the Storm didn't put on a single point with the Warriors winning 38-14 making it their first at AAMI Park for 11 years and the club's biggest win against Melbourne.

Melbourne's frustrations were clear with 13 minutes to go when Chanel Harris-Tavita put a massive rib shot on prop Josh King. King dropped the ball and received a serve from the half. King took exception to that by pushing him and running back into defence.

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Players from both sides then came together with Stefano Utoikamanu notably squaring up with Jacob Laban.

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"This is frustration from Melbourne," Ennis said.

"How good's Harris-Tavita, he doesn't get enough wraps for his defence and he let Josh King know."

The referee brought together captains Harry Grant and James Fisher-Harris with Jahrome Hughes placed on report for a high shot that happened immediately after the King knock on.

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No player went to the sin bin for the whole drama. Hughes was fined $1,800 for the high tackle.

On the last tackle of the following set, Will Warbrick went close in the corner but was bundled into touch by Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

"Their defence is vicious, savage and unrelenting," caller Andrew Voss said as players came from everywhere to celebrate with the Warriors back.

Tuivasa-Sheck was feeling himself too, putting one finger in the air to let the Melbourne players know what just happened.

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Roger Tuivasa-Sheck celebrates his tackle. Fox League

Post-match, Bellamy was sitting in the coaching box for a long period well after full-time as he stared into oblivion.

"This is off the back of two losing grand finals, I think that's a key part of what's happening at the Melbourne Storm," Cronk said.

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