Melbourne Storm came away with the win over Parramatta Eels 20- 4 but it came at a cost.
The Storm lost three key players mid-match to injury including Fiji Bati star Suliasi Vunivalu in their NRL clash last night.
The team were at one stage left with no reserves on their AAMI Park bench but turned in a gutsy defensive display to hold out the dangerous Eels.
Vunivalu’s hamstring and skipper Cameron Smith’s back injury meant they didn’t return for the second half and they were soon joined on the sidelines by giant prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who suffered an ankle injury. Initial reports were that Smith’s injury wasn’t serious and he was left off as a precautionary measure.
The victory meant they returned to the top of the NRL ladder, although the Sydney Roosters can regain the lead with a win over Canberra tomorrow.
