The Mole's player ratings: Spencer Leniu 'barely noticed' as Jahrome Hughes sends Storm into decider

Melbourne are through to their first grand final since 2020 and they did it in style with a dominant win over the Roosters on Friday night.

In-form halfback Jahrome Hughes scored a hat-trick in another brilliant individual display, but he was well-supported by a host of Storm superstars.

For the Roosters, it's an end of an era with a plethora of stars including Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Luke Keary finishing their career at the club.

READ MORE: Roosters caught in Hughes' storm as grand final booked

READ MORE: 'Great news': Ponga backflips on Kangaroos snub

READ MORE: Ugly clash poses threat to stars' grand final hopes

As always, The Mole analyses and rates every player's performance from the game.

MELBOURNE STORM

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen

Back to his brilliant best in attack, tearing through the Roosters' line - the only blot on his game a dropped bomb that led to a try. Rating: 9

2. William Warbrick

Given few chances by the Roosters defence but still ran for over 120 metres and broke seven tackles. Rating: 6.5

3. Jack Howarth

Much-improved youngster scored one of the best tries of the night from a 20 metre tap and made plenty of yardage. Rating: 7.5

4. Nick Meaney

A real Craig Bellamy 'no frills' pro, setting up a try, making a line break and kicking goals from all angles. Rating: 7

5. Xavier Coates

Got few chances on the flank but brought the ball back well from the deep and safe under the bomb. Rating: 6

6. Cameron Munster

Warmed up for the grand final with a trademark busy game, highlighted by two late solo tries. Rating: 8

7. Jahrome Hughes

I've been saying all year he's the best player in the game and if he doesn't get the Dally M Medal after this three-try performance there needs to be an investigation! Rating: 9.5

8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Sin binned after the opening tackle of the game, his biggest contribution was THAT tackle that put Roosters enforcer Lindsay Collins out of business. Rating: 6

9. Harry Grant

Three try assists and three line break assists - the best dummyhalf in the game and a huge trump card for the grand final. Rating: 8.5

10. Josh King

One of the unheralded workhorses of the Storm pack, he never stopped putting pressure on the Roosters in attack and defence. Rating: 7

11. Shawn Blore

A quiet game by his standards - but he's about to go from a wooden spooner to a grand finalist. Rating: 5

12. Eliesa Katoa

Won the much-hyped battle with in-form Rooster Angus Crichton and kept bending back the defence line. Rating: 7.5

13. Trent Loiero

A busy game at lock from another of the Storm's 'no names' who often goes un-noticed but more than earns his pay packet. Rating: 7

14. Tyran Wishart

Only got 23 minutes and had little impact but his ability to fill many roles will make him a danger man in the big dance next week. Rating: 5

15. Christian Welch

Played just nine minutes off the bench but is likely to get a lot more footy next weekend with Nelson in danger of missing the game through suspension. Rating: 3

16. Tui Kamikamica

His size and leg speed made him a handful for the Roosters defence when he got his chance off the bench. Rating: 5.5

17. Alec MacDonald

Did his job off the bench, bringing enthusiasm to the pack in his 30 minutes of game time. Rating: 6

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

1. James Tedesco

Will be disappointed with his final game of the year, making just one tackle break after slaying Manly a week earlier. Rating: 6

2. Daniel Tupou

The old pro was among the Roosters' best, scoring the opening try and making more metres than any other Rooster. Rating: 7.5

3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii

A strong farewell to league, setting up a try and running for over 150 metres in a well beaten team. Rating: 7

4. Joseph Manu

Hasn't been at his best in the last few games of the season and never really got into this game, running just 70 metres. Rating: 5.5

5. Dominic Young

Tryscoring ace was shut out of the match by the Storm defence and missed a crucial tackle on Howarth that led to a try. Rating: 4

6. Luke Keary

Ended his career with a typically smart attacking game, kicking well, directing his team around the park and creating a try. Rating: 7

7. Sandon Smith

Threw a lovely pass for the Roosters' first try but did little after that as the Storm took command. Rating: 6.5

8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

Kept his aggression in check in his final NRL game, avoiding the sin bin and making 100 metres througn the trenches. Will be missed. Rating: 7

9. Connor Watson

Lively with his pace out of dummyhalf and made more tackles than any player in the game. Rating: 7

10. Lindsay Collins

Took the kickoff … and was smashed by big Nelson. Lights out. Very unlucky for an in-form player. Rating: 0

11. Angus Crichton

Was a marked man from the start and couldn't maintain the outstanding form he showed throughout 2024. Rating: 6.5

12. Sitili Tupouniua

Well down on his dynamic best, running for just 54 metres through the well-drilled Storm defence. Rating: 5

13. Victor Radley

Again played bravely through pain but wasn't able to put his fiery stamp on the game. Rating: 6

14. Spencer Leniu

A real weapon off the bench in recent weeks, was barely noticed with six runs for 50 metres. Rating: 4

15. Naufahu Whyte

Got 30 minutes off the bench but couldn't lift the intensity of the Roosters pack who were simply out-gunned on the night. Rating: 4.5

16. Nat Butcher

Made just three runs for 14 metres but tackled hard and scored a try in the Roosters' brief comeback. Rating: 4

17. Terrell May

One of the best bench players in the league, his solo try early in the second half gave the Roosters a glimmer of hope. Rating: 6