Cheyse Blair scored twice and Jahrome Hughes, Brodie Croft and Ryley Jacks impressed as Melbourne Storm outscored St George-Illawarra Dragons nine to five to win a 14-try NRL thriller 52-30.

Despite both teams missing a total of 11 players due to State of Origin commitments, fans at AAMI Park were treated to a sensational clinic of attacking rugby in a game-of-the-season contender.

It was only the Dragons' fourth defeat of the season but they remain top, two clear of the Storm – who stretched their winning streak to five games – and South Sydney Rabbitohs, who each have 16 points.

Seven tries were exchanged in the first half, with Curtis Scott, Brodie Croft and Blair crossing for the hosts, only for each score to be countered with Kurt Mann, Nene Macdonald and Euan Aitken registering for the Dragons as the teams went punch for punch.

But veteran Ryan Hoffman, playing his 320th NRL game, ensured Melbourne led 22-18 at the break by touching down on the buzzer following a runaway effort from the 40-yard line.

The second half started in much the same manner. The influential Cameron Smith converted an early penalty to extend Melbourne's lead, before Luciano Leilua scored his first NRL try to tie things up.

Young Tonumaipea, playing his last game for the Storm before a two-year Mormon mission, then scored in the 57th minute after a cute break on the left. 

Shortly after, Matthew Dufty created his own break on the right, finding Mann for his second try of the game.

But Melbourne shifted through the gears. First Hughes broke two tackles before crossing, before Blair barrelled through from his own half and scored under the posts for his second try.

The superb Jacks then scored a try of his own, after creating two earlier in the game, before Suliasi Vunivalu rounded off the scoring to cap a wonderful contest.