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Fulltime: Melbourne Storm 6 – Newcastle Knights 20
It’s been an incredible night for the Newcastle Knights, a side that nobody gave a chance coming into this clash against Melbourne.
The first try came via Kurt Gidley before Melbourne had even touched the ball. Tyrone Roberts, who was outstanding all night, converted with ease.
Immediately after, young Storm fullback Cameron Munster equalised and after a successful conversion it looked like Melbourne would run away with the game. However the Storm defence looked as if it had fell asleep, they gave away cheap penalties and made high-ball blunders.
Roberts intercepted a Cooper Cronk pass, which saw him earn a 65-metre try, and Newcastle took an impressive 12-point lead into the break.
The second half was all Newcastle. Every time the Storm would build up a head of steam the Knights would shut them down.
The Knights forced six line dropouts after some incredible kicking from Roberts into the Storm’s box, before a shocking blunder from Cameron Smith via a 20-metre dropout on the full saw Roberts take another two points.
It really was the story of the game, Melbourne would make a mistake, and Newcastle were right there to capitalise.
The Knights move out of wooden spoon position for now, and Melbourne, who go on to face the Cowboys and the Broncos, may find themselves in eighth position instead of fourth by the end of the season.
All credit to Newcastle, they kept the momentum and refused to let anything get past them in that second half.
The final score at AAMI Park, Melbourne Storm 6, Newcastle Knights 20.
The Melbourne Storm will be looking to stay on the course of another run at the premiership when they host the Newcastle Knights, who will be desperate to claw away from the wooden spoon spot on the ladder. Join us on The Roar from 7:00pm (AEST) for live scores and commentary.
Coming off an emphatic 28-point win over Cronulla, the Storm are looking to make it three in a row in the race for a double-chance at the finals.
Currently sitting in sixth position, a win for Melbourne leapfrogs them ahead of South Sydney into fourth place on points difference, and they will have their chance to stay in the top four when they take on the Rabbitohs next week.
Newcastle are tied with the Gold Coast Titans with the worst defence in 2015, and with Melbourne’s last five win margins coming at an average of 27 points, and Fijian winger Marika Koroibete keen to extend his try-scoring tally, the Knights could be in for a long game.
The Knights have conceded an average of 26.5 points per game, however their 24-18 win over the West Tigers last week showed that they still have a little fight left in them.
The win over the Tigers made it seven wins for the year for the Knights, and just their second win in 11 games.
Newcastle have proven to be a thorn in Melbourne’s side in recent encounters, the Knights have won two of their past three games against the Storm, and their last five meetings have ended in five-point margins.
Akuila Uate will have his hands full with Koroibete, however the winger will be looking to produce fireworks when he comes up against his international teammate.
Melbourne’s attacking football has been on par as of late, and the Knights have been too slack in defence all season. They will struggle to deal with any momentum that the Storm are able to generate.
Prediction: Storm by 28
Will the Melbourne Storm clinch a place in the top four, or can the Newcastle Knights pull off an upset and avoid spending a week in the wooden spoon position? Join us on The Roar from 7:00pm AEST for live scores and commentary to find out.
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