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Melbourne storm past Cronulla to clinch the JJ Giltinan Shield

Melbourne Storm with the JJ Giltinan Shield
Image: Melbourne Storm with the JJ Giltinan Shield

Cheyse Blair scored a brace of tries as Melbourne Storm beat Cronulla Sharks 26-6 to clinch top spot in the NRL Premiership table.

Suliasi Vunivalu and Jesse Bromwich also touched down in front of Storm's biggest crowd of the season at AAMI Park.

However, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock in the 11th minute courtesy of a James Maloney penalty.

Yet the lead lasted just a few minutes, with Cameron Smith levelling matters with the first of his five successful kicks, after which it was all Storm.

Ben Barba of the Sharks is tackled by Cheyse Blair
Image: Ben Barba of the Sharks is tackled by Cheyse Blair

First, Blair collected Blake Green's excellent pass to race through under the posts for the game's opening try after 20 minutes.

Another Smith penalty made it 10-2 at the break, although it needed some brilliant defence by Marika Koroibete to prevent the Sharks from reducing the deficit before half-time.

Jesse Bromwich scores Storm's fourth and final try in Melbourne
Image: Jesse Bromwich scores Storm's fourth and final try in Melbourne

And just two minutes after the restart, Blair went over again: From Cameron Munster's assist, the centre brushed off Chad Townsend and Ben Barba before making the score 14-2.

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Try number three came on 56, and via the hands of Vunivalu, who caught Cooper Cronk's crossfield kick before notching his 22nd try of the season.

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Gerald Beale touched down in the corner for Cronulla's only try of the match on 68, with Bromwich squeezing home Storm's fourth three minutes from time.

Party time in Melbourne
Image: Party time in Melbourne

As table toppers, Melbourne collected the JJ Giltinan Shield and will now face defending champions North Queensland Cowboys at home in the opening round of play-off fixtures next week.

Queensland clinched a top-four spot in the National Rugby League with a 32-16 win over the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday.

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