The Storm defeated the Broncos 26-6 at AAMI Park in Round 20 last year.
Maurice Blair gave the home side the best possible start when he latched onto a Cooper Cronk assist to crash over on the right edge with just seven minutes on the clock.
A nail-biting tussle ensued before Jharal Yow-Yeh was controversially awarded a benefit-of-the-doubt try, grounding the spoils of Billy Slater’s spilled attempt at defusing a Darren Lockyer bomb. That sent the sides to the halftime break locked at 6-all.
A Cameron Smith penalty goal on the half hour gave the home side breathing space before three unanswered Storm tries closed out the contest. First Justin O’Neill was the beneficiary of a swift left-side sweep (57th minute); then Cronk dummied his way over from first receiver (69th minute); and lastly Blair was on the spot to take Billy Slater’s overhead assist after the No.1 had gathered in a deft Cronk chip kick (80th minute).
It was a high-quality game, with the Storm attack proving the difference on the night; they made five line-breaks to the Broncos’ one and turned the ball over just five times.
Cronk was a standout, contributing a try, two try assists and two line-breaks, while rookie Jesse Bromwich acquitted himself well in the front row with 133 metres up the guts.
