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It remained one of the few challenges the Brisbane Broncos had not conquered in their history, victory over Melbourne in Melbourne. However, in second spot and on a four match winning streak, up against a Storm side struggling to maintain touch with the top 8, they would never get a better opportunity.

After a drizzly morning the Melbourne skies cleared and the Broncos emerged in their putrid aqua jersey after NRL boffins again ruled that their officials suffered from colour blindness and could not possibly differentiate between dark blue and maroon. The crowd had barely settled in their seats when Darren Lockyer sliced through from a kick return. Three tackles later and Shane Webcke offloaded to a charging Carl Webb to score out wide. Michael De Vere converted for a 6-0 lead. Lockyer then put Dane Carlaw over just moments later for a 12-0 lead in less than 10 minutes.

Melbourne showed they weren't going to surrender when Robbie Ross crossed from their first possession in attack. They looked certain to score again moments later when Lockyer fumbled a grubber kick and Scott Hill picked the ball up on the fly. The Test lock forward dropped the ball and referee Tim Mander incredibly ruled that the Storm had received an advantage. Moments later Webb backed up yet another incision by Lockyer to score his second under the posts for an 18-4 lead.

New Broncos recruit, Richard Swain, showed what the club can expect 15 minutes before half time when he darted over from dummyhalf out wide as the Broncos began to lose the plot somewhat. De Vere landed a late penalty goal to extend the lead back to 12 points at half time. The Storm, with the wind at their backs in the second half, had confidence they could peg the Broncos back.

How wrong they were. Lote Tuqiri crossed five minutes after half time, beautifully put on the outside by an Andrew Gee pass. De Vere converted to extend the lead to 18 points. Shortly after 17-year-old halfback, Brett Seymour, scored his first first grade try after just four matches in first grade for a 32-8 lead. The procession continued four minutes later when De Vere charged onto a well placed grubber kick from Lockyer. Lockyer then sent a beautiful flick pass to Chris Walker, who, after a shocking first half, ran away to score for a 44-8 lead. Tuqiri scored his second with 15 minutes on the clock and the Broncos were looking in devastating form.

Fortunately for Melbourne the Broncos eased off the accelerator after giving Lockyer a breather for the remainder of the match. Aaron Moule and Marcus Bai both crossed for Melbourne in the final 10 minutes to gain some element of respectability but the defeat is a massive blow to the Storm's finals hopes.

The Broncos are building up formidable momentum as they reach the finals. Across the park the side is clicking into gear, despite the absence of the injured Allan Langer which many felt would bring the Broncos back to the field. However, when Langer's away, Lockyer will play. The world's best fullback - who now has strong claims to eclipse Andrew Johns as the world's best player - was at his scintillating best, slicing the Storm open with every touch of the football and directing the side around the park with aplomb. Seymour also showed that Langer is not irreplaceable, having his most authoritative match in his four game first grade career. Outside him, Casey McGuire was solid; De Vere and Brent Tate were strong in the centres and Lote Tuqiri showed some good attacking form although he was found wanting in defence on several occasions. Chris Walker again was disappointing, his ball handling not at first grade standard.

Up front Shane Webcke is in ominous form with Petero Civoniceva also getting back to his best after his midseason knee injury. Shaun Berrigan is continuing his dangerous conversion to hooker. Carl Webb and Dane Carlaw were in powerful form, Andrew Gee is continuing his consistent impact, and Phil Lee made some good contributions off the bench. Gorden Tallis showed signs of form although he is still struggling to make an impact close to the line.

Melbourne didn't suffer from lack of enthusiasm, but they paid the price for some very poor ball control. Scott Hill and Matt Orford looked dangerous at times but their poor pass selection cost them dearly. Rodney Howe, Swain, Stephen Kearney and Shane Walker were willing but overpowered by their opposition pack. Robbie Ross started well but yet another hamstring injury looks set to curtail his season again.

The Broncos maintain their 3-point buffer over Newcastle to remain in second spot. With a clash against the impressive Sydney Roosters on Friday night it will be a good test of where the Broncos are in relation to the premiership pacesetters, the Bulldogs.

Play of the Day

Andrew Gee (Brisbane) has been much maligned in recent weeks for his over-the-top aggression which has resulted in back-to-back sin binnings against the Wests Tigers and Parramatta. However, against the Storm he showed he has his share of skill and agility. His long, cut out pass to Brent Tate that set up Tuqiri's first try was breathtaking. Then with the game coming to a conclusion, Gee chased down livewire Melbourne half Matt Orford after the Storm number 7 had beaten four players in a 60 metre gallop.