Parramatta Eels have earned a stunning 22-10 upset over the Melbourne Storm in Brisbane on Saturday, denying them a special piece of NRL history at the final hurdle.
Winners of 19-straight and needing just one more to break the the 46-year old mark set by Eastern Suburbs (now Sydney Roosters) in 1975, the Storm couldn't overcome the energy and all-round defensive brilliance of the Eels, who claimed their second win of the season over the defending premiers.
Tied 10-all at halftime, halves Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown shifted the Eels into another gear, with Blake Ferguson finishing sensationally in the corner.
Brown then stepped up to deliver a brilliant no-look pass to Joey Lussick, who streaked clear to seal what could be a season-defining victory for the Eels, who seem to be hitting their straps at the ideal stage of the season.
"It probably makes me a bit annoyed that we can do that [every week], said Eels coach Brad Arthur. "It is hard to do that every week but that is what it takes.
"That is what the best teams do. We go into Penrith and the finals and we have to be able to repeat that.
"It is an attitude thing. You saw the level of energy we played with tonight. I don’t know why it wasn’t there, but it is now and we need to replicate it."
Storm coach Craig Bellamy said - given the milestone match for Felise Kaufusi - the performance had left him "embarrassed".
"You wouldn’t think it was too much pressure with (the record on the line) but we had plenty to play for," said Bellamy. "It was Felise's 150th and there are about 14 guys in our club that have done that.
"That is a big milestone for him but we didn’t give a yelp tonight. That's deflating. I can't remember the last time I was as disappointed in a milestone game for one of our players. I am a bit embarrassed."
Compounding the Storm's woes is the loss of wing Josh Addo-Carr, who limped off in the second half with a hamstring strain in the second half.
They'll also be sweating on the charge sheet, with Harry Grant on report for a hip-drop tackle, Jesse Bromwich for a crusher tackle and Brandon Smith for a high tackle on Marate Niukore.