Melbourne Storm dispatched Penrith Panthers 16-0 in their top of the table NRL clash at Sydney on Thursday, in large part courtesy of a spectacular individual try from Kiwis star Brandon Smith.
In the 21st minute, Smith received a pass at halfway, split the defence and accelerated clear, then left the cover defender clamouring in his wake with a step to go in next to the posts, as the man they call 'Cheese' sliced up the Panthers defence like it was a Double Cream Brie.
The try was one of three scored on the night by the Storm, as they prevailed in the heavyweight clash against the Nathan Cleary-less Panthers to close the gap on the second-placed North Queensland Cowboys to just two points.
The Panthers were held scoreless for the first time in seven years, with the Storm recording their third straight win and making a statement as the race for the NRL Premiership enters its home stretch.
For as impressive as Smith's effort was, it may have been surpassed by his teammate Nick Meaney's opening try, as Cameron Munster set Justin Olam free down the left-hand touch line, with the centre placing a pinpoint chip infield that bounced perfectly for the wing.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy made a surprise decision to shift Munster out of the halves to fullback for the match and it paid dividends, with the Origin star totalling 194 run metres and asking continual questions of the Panthers' defence.
In another twist, Bellamy moved Nelson Asofa-Solomona to the back row, and the Kiwis star responded with 130 run metres and 25 tackles in a dominant performance at Penrith Stadium.
"I thought that was our best performance for a long time," said Bellamy after the game. "When Penrith attacked our line, that is as good as we have defended for a year or two."
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