Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm: NRL live scores, blog

 
Alan Nicolea Roar Guru
 

By , 17 Aug 2012 Alan Nicolea is a Roar Guru & Live Blogger

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    LIVE SCORES

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    Brisbane Vs. Melbourne

    2012 NRL Premiership Season, 18 August, 2012
    Suncorp Stadium, QLD
    Melbourne 19 defeated Brisbane 18
    Brisbane Melbourne
    18 FINAL SCORE 19
    3 TRIES 3
    3/3 CONVERSION KICKS 3/3
    0/0 PENALTY GOALS 0/0
    0/0 FIELD GOAL 1/1
     
    Top scorers:
    • Brisbane - Ben Te'o 8pts (2T 0G)
    • Melbourne - Sisa Waqa 8pts (2T 0G)
    Important moments:
    • Brisbane took the lead at the 39 min. mark 2nd half
    • Cooper Cronk (Melb) scored at the 73 min. mark 2nd half
     
    Referee: M Cecchin
    Touch judges: S Carrall & Grant Atkins
    Sports Highlights

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    The Brisbane Broncos have lost their past four matches and really need to turn the corner tonight in a big game against perennial premiership contenders the Melbourne Storm. Join us for NRL live scores and blog from 7:30pm AEST.

    Although Brisbane showed glimpses of its best form against the ladder leading Bulldogs last week, the Broncos once again found themselves on the wrong end of the score line in a tough contest.

    Despite racing out to a 14 nil lead, the Broncos were eventually outmuscled by the Bulldogs, conceding the next 22 points en route to a 22-14 defeat – their fourth loss in succession.

    That defeat now leaves Brisbane in seventh position, and a loss tonight would see the Broncos put their place in the top eight in jeopardy.

    Melbourne meanwhile is coming off a tough 24-16 win against the Titans and are beginning to play like the side that dominated the first half of the 2012 season.

    Although there are still some rough edges to their game, the Storm are starting to build winning momentum and will be difficult to stop tonight.

    Prediction

    Despite winning their last two matches, Melbourne still have some question marks upfront, so expect Brisbane’s forwards to come out guns blazing in a bid to get the better of their Storm counterparts.

    The Broncos blew the Bulldogs off the park early last week, with Sam Thaiday, Ben Hannant, Matt Gillett and Ben Te’o all making breaks against a tough Canterbury pack.

    When the preceding forwards get a roll on, the Broncos can be a joy to watch as they muscle their way down field against a retreating defence.

    Melbourne will really have to be on its toes in defence if they are to avoid getting blown off the park early by a Broncos pack eager to make a statement at home.

    If the Storm can weather Brisbane’s early onslaught, Melbourne will fancy its chances of outlasting the Broncos tonight.

    Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Gareth Widdop and Cooper Cronk are masters of taking advantage of slack defending up the middle, as evidenced by their great performance in the second half against the Titans.

    With a lot on the line for both teams, this should be a tough and exciting contest between two teams that have enjoyed a healthy rivalry since the 2006 grand final.

    Although Brisbane will certainly ask Melbourne plenty of questions, the Storm should be favoured to come up with the answers in a great contest.

    Storm by 6

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