Melbourne superstar Greg Inglis has scored a hat-trick to set up the Storm's comfortable 30-18 win over Wests Tigers, destroying Brett Hodgson's Campbelltown Stadium farewell.
The superlative Inglis scored two tries in the opening 18 minutes before grabbing a third just after the hour as Melbourne made it three wins from four starts.
While Inglis was all brilliance, Storm full-back Billy Slater proved why he is now rated among the game's elite with a superb performance.
Hodgson, playing his final game on the ground where it all started, turned in a typically courageous performance but couldn't lift his side to the victory it so desperately needed.
It was a long break from Slater that set the platform for Melbourne's opening try after 10 minutes.
Put deep on the attack by their fullback, the Storm went wide immediately and Inglis stretched out for his first four-pointer.
Cameron Smith nailed the sideline conversion and the big crowd was momentarily silenced as the visitors took a 6-0 lead.
But the Tigers' reply was swift, winger Taniela Tuiaki crossing in the corner after a lovely cut-out pass from Benji Marshall drew Steve Turner off his flank.
Hodgson matched Smith's deeds with the boot to hook his conversion over from wide out to leave it 6-all.
But when Inglis claimed the 10th try double of his career after 18 minutes, the premiers were back in charge.
Smith's conversion made it 12-6.
Man-of-the-moment Hodgson soon had the hosts back on equal terms.
Backing up a long break from Dene Halatau, Hodgson scored under the posts and converted for a 12-all scoreline.
The game erupted just before half-time after an altercation between Marshall and Michael Crocker led to an all-in brawl.
Brawn was replaced by brilliance five minutes into the second half, the magnificent Slater leaping over Hodgson to haul in a high kick from Cooper Cronk to score.
Smith landed the conversion for an 18-12 advantage.
An Inglis bust led to a try to Sika Manu after 58 minutes and Inglis crossed for his third five minutes later as the Storm built a match-winning 30-12 lead.
Wests hit back through Beau Ryan seven minuets from the end, but there was to be no late escape for the out-of-form Tigers.
Wests Tigers 18
Tries: Tuiaki, Hodgson, Ryan
Goals: Hodgson 3
Melbourne 30
Tries: Inglis 3, Slater, Manu
Goals: Smith 5
Sportal Player of the Year
3 - Greg Inglis (Storm)
2 - Billy Slater (Storm)
1 - Brett White (Storm)