In a shocking turn of events on Friday night, April 18, 2025, the Melbourne Storm suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Dolphins, conceding 40 consecutive points after initially leading 16-2. The match, held at Suncorp Stadium, concluded with the Dolphins claiming a decisive 42-22 victory, leaving Storm coach Craig Bellamy grappling for words to describe the unprecedented collapse.
"Yeah, f***, really disappointed. I can’t remember coaching a Storm side that’s been up 16-2 then had 40 in a row put on us. That’s embarrassing," Bellamy exclaimed during the post-match press conference. His frustration was palpable as he reflected on the team's performance, which he deemed one of the most disappointing in his 23 seasons at the club.
The Storm, who had boasted an impressive record of winning 79 out of their last 80 games when leading by 14 points, appeared to be in control early on. Tries from Kane Bradley, Xavier Coates, and Ryan Papenhuyzen gave them a comfortable lead. However, the game took a dramatic turn as the Dolphins, who had been languishing at 14th on the ladder, turned the tide with a relentless offensive display.
Bellamy acknowledged that the team's reliance on their attacking prowess had masked significant defensive shortcomings. "Jahrome (Hughes) just made a good point in the dressing room that we’ve been winning our games off our attack, to be quite honest, and today we had to stump up defensively because we kept turning the ball over and we just couldn’t do it," he said, highlighting a crucial area for improvement.
Storm playmaker Cameron Munster echoed his coach's sentiments, emphasizing the need for defensive consistency if they were to live up to their status as premiership favorites. "The last couple of weeks we’ve won on our attack; we haven’t had to defend our line a whole heap. We’ve relied on the class of our attack, and it’s worked and got us out of trouble, so the learning from us is our defense," Munster stated. "It’s disappointing, but I’m glad it’s happened now and not in the back end of the year. It’s a good wake-up call."
As the Storm's defensive frailties were exposed, the Dolphins seized the opportunity to capitalize. With seven tries scored, including two from Ray Stone, the Dolphins' performance was marked by determination and resilience. Bellamy noted that the squad's inability to maintain composure after their early lead was a significant factor in the outcome. "After the game, I thought perhaps it was complacency after getting that sort of start and just putting the slippers on," he remarked.
In addition to the disappointing loss, the Storm faces injury woes that could further complicate their season. Bellamy revealed that Jack Howarth dislocated his shoulder and could be out for the remainder of the season. "He’ll be out for an extended time, but if he has an operation, it’ll be the season, I think," Bellamy said, indicating the severity of the injury. The Storm also dealt with the absence of key players, including Will Warbrick and Nick Meaney, who were sidelined due to recent concussions, and Moses Leo, who underwent shoulder surgery and will be out for three months.
Despite the setbacks, Bellamy remained hopeful that the team could learn from the experience. "We’ll do our review, and we need players coming in with reasons why tonight might have happened," he said. The Storm's next challenge comes against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Anzac Day, a match that will be crucial for their recovery and morale.
On the other hand, the Dolphins celebrated a victory that could be a turning point for their season. NRL legend Cameron Smith remarked on the significance of the win, stating, "This could possibly be their greatest victory." As the Dolphins prepare to face the Raiders in Canberra on Sunday, April 27, they will look to build on this momentum and continue their push up the ladder.
The match statistics further illustrated the disparity between the two teams. The Dolphins completed 33 out of 41 sets with 271 tackles and 1506 run meters, showcasing their dominance. In contrast, the Storm struggled with 22 completed sets, 327 tackles, and 1405 run meters, underscoring the need for improvement in both execution and decision-making.
As the dust settles from this unexpected defeat, the Melbourne Storm must regroup and address their defensive lapses if they hope to remain contenders in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership. The coming days will be critical for Bellamy and his squad as they prepare for the challenges ahead, with the hope that this loss serves as a catalyst for positive change.
