Melbourne inflicted another brutal blow to St George Illawarra's NRL premiership defence as they clawed their way to a 8-6 win at AAMI Park on Friday night.
The Dragons' free-fall down the NRL ladder continued, with their fifth successive loss while the Storm celebrated a club record 12th straight victory.
Clear competition leaders Melbourne now have the minor premiership all but wrapped up with only two rounds remaining.
The home side was forced to work hard for their win, taking that same score to the sheds at halftime after skipper Cameron Smith slotted a penalty goal after the hooter, with Dragons prop Michael Weyman penalised for slowing down the play the ball.
The Storm missed their maestro halfback Cooper Cronk, who was sidelined with a foot injury, while the Dragons were also without some attacking flair missing injured centre Mark Gasnier (hip) and Brett Morris, who didn't travel with the team after the birth of his baby girl.
Melbourne dominated possession and territory in the second half but the Dragons showed the desperation that has been sadly lacking in their recent games.
In the end the Dragons were left to rue the undisciplined play by five-eighth Jamie Soward, who conceded near fulltime, with those two points proving the difference.
