Scott's heart leads the way (The Courier Mail)
PREMIERS Melbourne Storm hung on for a gripping four-point win over Cronulla in a match that will long be remembered for the courage of Sharks halfback Scott Porter.
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Scott's heart leads the way
By David Riccio
March 13, 2010 9:23PM
PREMIERS Melbourne Storm hung on for a gripping four-point win over Cronulla last night in a match that will long be remembered for the courage of Sharks halfback Scott Porter.
Overcome by the tragic loss of his sister 24 hours earlier, Porter took the field with his Sharks team-mates determined to help steer the wooden-spoon favourites to an unlikely victory against the newly-crowned world champions.
It was the type of commitment that forced Craig Bellamy's side to fight until the final minute to score a torrid victory.
With the devastating loss of his mother eight months ago, Porter has had a tragedy-filled career in the NRL.
"For Scotty to get out there typifies the type of person and young man he is," Sharks chief executive Richard Fisk said last night.
A moment of silence for Porter's loss preceeded the game and filled Toyota Stadium with plenty of emotion.
Skipper Cameron Smith admitted the Storm were below their best after the game.
"It was a bit like the (World Club Challenge) against Leeds a couple of weeks ago," Smith said. "We were below our best with the ball but worked hard and came away with the win. We know we can improve but it was a good start. It is always tough to come here and win."
An offside penalty against centre Greg Inglis cost Melbourne two points, when Cronulla sharpshooter Luke Covell opened the scoring in the 14th minute.
The match descended into an arm wrestle midway through the first half, with the two sides trading punches but neither able to land a scoring blow.
It would take a major turning point just five minutes before the break to spark the first try for Inglis.
Penalised for repeated infringements in the play-the-ball, Sharks skipper Trent Barrett was sent to the sin bin and it was the opportunity the Storm needed.
Taking advantage of their extra man, Inglis slid over out wide to claim the try - but not before video ref Paul Simpkins required several looks at the incident to confirm he had grounded the ball.
Smith nailed the conversion to give the Storm a 6-2 lead before a dose of drama on the stroke of halftime.
A forearm by Melbourne's Anthony Quinn on Sharks' back-rower Paul Gallen ignited a push and shove that resulted in the Storm winger being put on report.
The penalty provided an emotional moment for Porter, who kicked the goal from the sideline, with the crowd behind him.
But hopes of an upset were dashed soon after the resumption when sustained pressure saw Storm winger Luke MacDougall crash over in the corner.
Smith landed a superb sideline conversion and a penalty goal on the stroke of an hour to put the premiers in the driver's seat with a 14-4 lead.
The Sharks refused to lay down, however, and got back into the contest 10 minutes from the finish when prop Luke Douglas barged over, with Covell's conversion reducing the deficit to 14-10.
Quinn faces an anxious wait over the next 24 hours with the video review panel certain to take a very close look at his hit on Gallen.