Melbourne second-rower Ryan Hoffman shook off a heavy knock to head for the tryline rather than the sideline in a man-of-the-match performance in the Storm’s 24-6 win over South Sydney at AAMI Park.
Hoffman looked dazed after he appeared to be momentarily knocked out when his head hit a teammate’s hip while making a tackle, leaving him stumbling around.
But he shrugged off the team trainer and followed a Billy Slater break, before touching down in the next set of six.
Struggling for points in the opening half of recent weeks, it was just the start the home side needed.
Hoffman said there was “no big drama” with the head-knock.
“I remember everything, I remember the moment but you just shake it off and you’re fine,” he said.
The 28-year-old said it was physical match which had left many walking wounded.
“That was definitely a semi-final game,” he said.
“They’re a big side and they played well but we took our opportunities.”
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said Hoffman, who returned to Melbourne where he started his career in 2003 after a season with English club Wigan, had grown in form as the season wore on.
“He’s been playing like that for the last five or six weeks, he’s been outstanding,” said Bellamy.
“He’s been a really welcome addition back, he’s been tremendous. He’s a wonderful leader and we’ve all seen how good a player he is.”