Storm thrash Penrith for 16th straight win

© PR HANDOUT IMAGE PHOTO Ryan Papenhuyzen breaks clear as his Storm side scored an emphatic win over the Panthers.

Melbourne’s charge towards a fourth NRL minor premiership in six years has picked up pace after they swept aside Penrith 37-10 to claim a club record 16th straight win.

In a clash that barely befitted a grand final rematch, the Storm outplayed, outclassed and completely outdid Penrith at an empty at Suncorp Stadium.

Missing five representative stars and their back-up half, Penrith are certain to be a far bigger challenge to Melbourne if they meet again come finals.

But on Sunday they were never really in the contest, allowing Melbourne to skip two points clear at the top of the ladder with a far superior for-and-against.

And while Penrith are without some of their stars for at least another month, Melbourne are now near being back to full strength.

Ryan Papenhuyzen got through 46 minutes at fullback in his second game back, poking his head through a number of times and looking a threat before potting a last-minute field goal.

Harry Grant also played 59 minutes in his comeback match out of dummy-half, scoring a try late as the Storm fielded their first-choice spine for the first time since round six.

Jahrome Hughes is also turning into one of the most dominant halves in the competition, throwing the last pass for tries to Reimis Smith and Jesse Bromwich.

He also kicked for another when he forced an error from Dylan Edwards, allowing Dean Ieremia to follow through and complete a hat-trick.

The half had also put the Storm on the attack for Ieremia’s first, breaking through Viliame Kikau before Josh Addo-Carr put up a cross-field bomb for his fellow winger.

Penrith should at least get Isaah Yeo and Api Koroisau back next week against Sydney Roosters, while Nathan Cleary also stands a chance to make a long-awaited comeback.

But coach Ivan Cleary would not have accepted their absences as an excuse for their worst defensive effort since he returned to the club in 2019.

Their only points came late, when Jarome Luai and Matt Burton put Brent Naden across untouched before Scott Sorensen went over from dummy-half.