The Canterbury Bulldogs league coach Des Hasler saluted his team's response from last week's disappointing NRL loss to Newcastle, after they humbled the depleted reigning premiers Melbourne 39-nil yesterday at ANZ Stadium.
The Bulldogs returned to the top eight after running in eight tries, and holding the Storm scoreless for the first time since the 2008 grand final.
Melbourne's coach Craig Bellamy refused to blame the absence of his Origin players for the heavy defeat, at the same time urging the NRL to follow the lead of SANZAR by putting the NRL on hold to allow the State of Origin series to be played over three successive weekends.
