Cameron Munster has done enough to keep Melbourne in the top-two race without Jahrome Hughes, delivering for the Storm in a 16-10 win over Parramatta.
Playing without regular halves partner Hughes for the first time since he dislocated a shoulder last week, Munster played a role in all three Melbourne tries on Thursday night.
The win moved Melbourne back ahead of Canterbury and into second place, albeit with the Bulldogs still to face Wests Tigers on Sunday.
It didn't come easy for the Storm at CommBank Stadium, against a 15th-placed Eels who continue to be a thorn in the side of good teams with Mitch Moses back at No.7.
On a night where both teams struggled to kick goals, Melbourne only broke a 10-10 deadlock with 10 minutes to go when Xavier Coates outleapt Zac Lomax in the corner to score.
With Hughes out until finals, Munster wore the No.6 but was clearly the general as he led and directed the Storm's attack.
The Queensland State of Origin captain was instrumental in Melbourne's first try, kicking for a high-flying Eliesa Katoa after also grubbering for a repeat set moments earlier.
He also played a role in the Storm's second, taking on the line and poking his nose through late in the first half.
It did enough to scuttle Parramatta's defence, leaving the Eels with just one marker and allowing Harry Grant to dart out of dummy-half and send Tui Kamikamica over.
And with the game on the line, it was again Munster who delivered again, landing an aerial kick for Coates' match-winner.
Stefano Utoikamanu had his best game in Storm colours, providing the game-defining run in the lead up to Coates' try.
The Melbourne prop bumped off four defenders to put the Storm on the front foot, allowing Grant to again run out of dummy-half and find Munster for the kick.
Ryan Papenhuyzen got through unscathed after four weeks sidelined by a calf strain, but did lose goalkicking duties after landing just one from four.
While Munster was good, the concern for the Storm will be whether their attack had enough options with plenty of good ball.
Jonah Pezet was brought on and into the Storm halves with 13 minutes to play, with starting No.7 Tyran Wishart going to lock.
The Storm have Brisbane next Thursday night, before matches against Penrith, Canterbury, the Sydney Roosters and Broncos again before the finals.
"It was a bit close for comfort, we weren't playing that well or sticking to what we should be doing," Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said.
"It was always going to be a little bit difficult (without Hughes).
"Paps (Ryan Papenhuyzen) hasn't played for four weeks ... Grant Anderson has been playing a bit of centres and Nick Meaney a bit of fullback.
Parramatta's effort to challenge the Storm again shows how far they have come in Jason Ryles' first year, after trailing Melbourne 46-6 at halftime in round one.
Joash Papalii had moments looking dangerous at the back, Josh Addo-Carr provided a great try finish and looked electric on the left wing and almost every young Eel has improved significantly.
"The fight and the effort in the group is outstanding," Ryles said.
"Not for a second are they happy we've been beaten, and neither am I, but the improvement we have been showing week on week is there.
"I honestly think we lost that game tonight, they didn't beat us so that's a real good thing for us going forward."
