The Storm have landed a big blow in the race for the top four, smashing Canberra 48-2 in an NRL mauling in Melbourne.

Effectively ending the Raiders’ hopes of a double chance come finals, the Storm took their opponents apart with nine unanswered tries — all for different scorers.

The thrashing could have even more dire consequences for the Raiders, who are just a game inside the top eight with their woeful point differential weighing them down further.

• SCORE CENTRE: Check out all the stats and data from the game here

Melbourne leap-frogged Cronulla into fourth on the table with games to come against the Dolphins (14th) and Gold Coast (13th) providing an opportunity to shore up a double chance before a final-round blockbuster against Brisbane.

Remarkably, it’s the first time in 253 matches the Raiders haven’t scored a try, the NRL’s record streak.

Their embarrassing display got even worse with two soft late tries.

Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster crossed untouched before fullback Nick Meaney did much the same as the margin ballooned.

Canberra finished the game with 11 men after fullback Jordan Rapana was sin-binned for holding down Nelson Asofa-Solomona, before centre Matt Timoko joined his teammate for a high shot.

Storm second-rower Eliesa Katoa was damaging as they took control early, finding a clever try assist for centre Reimis Smith before diving over for his own to put them 20-2 clear late in the first half.

Any hope of a Canberra comeback was snuffed early in the second term, second-rower Trent Loiero powering to the line before Meaney broke through and allowed Harry Grant to cruise over for a lop-sided 32-2 scoreline.

Canberra was up for the contest early and controlled possession in the first half but looked clunky when they shifted the ball out wide and were punished by a Storm side that looked far more clinical in attack.

Storm captain Christian Welch opened the scoring early from close range against the run of play, before a looping ball from halfback Jahrome Hughes allowed Marion Seve to cross.

The Raiders’ terrible point differential plummets even lower to -120 and it could easily keep them out of finals.

They play Canterbury next before tough matches against Brisbane and Cronulla to close the season.

Their shocking weekend could still get worse, with Rapana a chance to be suspended for a trip on Smith that would leave them searching for a new number one yet again.

Regular fullback Sebastian Kris and young gun Xavier Savage are both sidelined with hamstring injuries.

AAP

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