MELBOURNE captain Harry Grant has apologised to veterans and service members who attended the Anzac clash with South Sydney which resulted in the Storm’s first-ever home loss to South Sydney.
The Victorian franchise has now lost six games in a row for the first time under coach Craig Bellamy and is desperately searching for answers heading into a trip to Suncorp Stadium to take on the Dolphins on Friday.
Although his wrist injury is not serious, Dally M medallist Jahrome Hughes will miss the game due to concussion.
“I just want to say sorry to all the Anzacs, all the diggers that we let down with some performances,” Australia hooker Grant told the ABC.
“We thank you for your service and all the people who have served, continue to serve and those that will serve in the future.
“We appreciate your efforts, individually and as a club.”
Latrell Mitchell booted a two point field goal with his team leading 40-0 before Su’a Faalogo kicked off, regathered himself and scored in an amazing couple of minutes late in the game at AAMI Park.
It equalled the Storm’s worst-ever run of six consecutive defeats. It was also Craig Bellamy’s first loss to Wayne Bennett in 11 years.
“They just rolled down the other end and scored some points too easily. That’s been the story of our year,” said Grant.
“We need to own our moments early. If we’re going to make errors, if we’re going to give away penalties, we’ve got to defend it.
“It’s a long season, it’s early in the year. We’ve seen a couple of teams do a similar thing last year where they got themselves back on board, found their feet and started performing.
“We just need to keep fighting, keep scrapping.”
Embed from Getty Images
SOUTH SYDNEY 48 (Duncan 3 Johnston 2 Graham 2 Dufty Aitken tries Mitchell 5 goals two-point field goal) beat MELBOURNE 6 (Fa’alogo try Meaney goal) at AAMI Park.
Teams:
MELBOURNE: Su’a Fa’alogo; Will Warbrick, Jack Howarth, Manaia Waitere, Nick Meaney; Cameron Munster, Jerohme Hughes; Stefano Utoikamanu, Harry Grant (c), Josh King, Joe Chan, Cooper Clarke, Trent Loiero. Res:Tyran Wishart, Alex McDonald, Shawn Blore, Davvy Moale, Hugo Peel, Josiah Pahalu.
SOUTHS: Matt Dufty; Alex Johnston, Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton; Campbell Graham; CodyWalker, Jamie Humphreys; Tevita Tatola, Bronson Garlick, Sean Keppie, Brandon Smith, Tallis Duncan, Cameron Murray (c). Res: Lachlan Hubner, Jayden Sullivan, Euan Aitken.
Referee: Adam Gee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
