Eliesa Katoa was probably the most relieved player on the field after his Melbourne Storm were able to close out a win over Brisbane Broncos on Thursday.
After Kiwis star Jahrome Hughes had carved open the Broncos defence in the 51st minute, the former Warriors forward was on hand in support for what should have been a try to break the 10-10 deadlock.
Instead, Katoa's casual approach to putting the ball down proved costly, as Broncos half Ezra Mam's determined chase saw the ball knocked out of his grasp while he crashed over the line in one of the best defensive plays of the NRL season to date.
Given the finely balanced contest, veteran Storm mastermind Craig Bellamy's reaction in the coaching box was surly even by his standards, shouting and leaping to his feet, before briefly exit to compose himself.
Fortunately for Katoa, the Storm eventually bolted home down the stretch to seal a 24-16 victory.
Speaking after the game, Bellamy had a couple of words of wisdom for Katoa, who is playing his maiden season for the Storm after three years with NZ Warriors.
"I'll give you a little tip Roy [Katoa], score the try first then celebrate," Bellamy quipped.
"That's all I'll say about that."
The win lifted the Storm to third on the NRL ladder.
