NRL: Melbourne Storm embarrass Broncos at home

Ben Hunt and Josh McGuire of the Broncos are dejected after their team loses the round 17 NRL match. Photo / Getty Images.

A head knock forced Brisbane's Queensland winger Corey Oates off the field but Wayne Bennett might be nursing the biggest headache after the Broncos' record 48-6 NRL loss to Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium.

Only days out from Queensland's State of Origin III team being named, Oates lasted barely 20 minutes in Friday night's Storm try-scoring blitz which included a Suliasi Vunivalu hat-trick.

Centre Cheyse Blair bagged a double as Melbourne inflicted Brisbane's biggest home loss in front of 44,519 fans.

Oates came off second best with try-bound centre Ryan Morgan in the 18th minute and was soon escorted from the field in a concern for Queensland selectors.

They name their Origin III team on Monday.

However, Bennett might have the biggest worry with an injury-hit Brisbane suffering their sixth loss in eight games.

Oates joined a Broncos injury list that already boasted Jordan Kahu, Jack Reed, Greg Eden and Tom Opacic.

Then there is their defence.

Brisbane have conceded 88 points in their past two games.

Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk inspired the Storm's 10th win from 11 games in Brisbane, setting up five of their eight tries.

Fijian flyer Vunivalu took his league-leading try tally to 16 from just 10 games.

Melbourne have won 10 of their past 11 games against Brisbane including six straight at Suncorp.

Somehow it could have been worse for Brisbane.

Damaging fullback Cameron Munster failed to overcome an ankle complaint but Blake Green returned to pivot after missing three weeks with a calf injury.

Melbourne led 30-6 at halftime albeit after a slice of luck.

Replays showed Vunivalu appeared offside and impeded Kori Nikorima before pouncing on a Cronk kick in the 22nd minute.

Five minutes later, officials missed Marika Koroibete's foot on the sideline in the build-up to Cheyse Blair's try.