Picture this: it is Round 26 and the Melbourne Storm are heading into their final round match. They are sitting in fourth place however with a loss could fall into fifth place going into the finals.
After a blistering start to the season the Storm have struggled form wise since their first loss of the season in Round 8 against the Raiders.
Consecutive losses in Round 10 and 11 against Manly and the Roosters respectively, a Round 15 loss away at the Gold Coast and losses in Round 18 against the Bulldogs and Round 20 against the Warriors punctuate an extremely unhappy post-Origin season for the storm.
Aside from the loss of its stars, the Storm has struggled with its depth with some injuries to members of the full time squad.
Gareth Widdop has struggled to lead the team in the absence of Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater.
Brett Finch has covered at halfback however is not quite up to first grade standard.
With all the top guns back for the huge Round 22 clash at home against Souths it was anticipated that the Storm would return to form and rise to the occasion.
The Rabbitohs, who have continued to build all season, had other plans and dominated to win by 14 points.
In this match the Storm forwards were overwhelmed by a relentless Souths pack and the energetic Isaac Luke at hooker. The Storm were courageous however fell behind early and could not turn the tide.
The forwards looked tired, the superstars kept trying but the plays just didn’t come off.
Two wins follow this match however come undone once again in Round 25 against an in form, fast finishing Knights.
Crazy? Delusional?
Maybe, however the above scenario is not implausible. Without the superstars at Origin time the back up plan is makeshift at best.
Hinchcliffe at hooker is a great back up however Widdop is unproven as a playmaker.
Who can provide effective cover for Slater at fullback?
Finch at halfback is a Hail Mary selection.
Okay, so the big three will all come back after Origin. What condition will they be in is anyone’s guess.
Already this season Slater and Cronk have been carrying niggling injuries and have been in doubt at different stages.
Depth? Any injuries to first grade forwards or outside backs will be difficult to cover.
An injury to any of the big three would be catastrophic, Smith, Cronk and Slater work together like a timepiece.
Smith will always perform however if they lose Cronk’s kicking game or the threat of Slater at the back their attack starts to look decidedly one dimensional.
Time will tell however its vey hard to see Melbourne maintaining the high standards they have set.
The Spectator
Roar Guru
if you put too much in early chasing the champions cup you suffer in the season, why cant anyone look at history ? Mel may go back to back its just it hasnt happened yet in the NRL so there chances are slim at best. Manly's fade last year, storms season this. Its to hard to start 2 months before everyone else as you end up finishing a month or 2 before everyone else. Mel's form hasnt been good all year and have won a few on reputation,
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Should I remind you of 2012 ... Storm - Premiers !!! Not much different at this time last year, Storm hit a lull and recuperated - They aren't exactly placed 16th, if you look - So why the hyperthetical ??? Picture this - Grand Final 2013 - Storm vs Roosters, Rabbitoh's, Manly whoever !!!
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
history suggests otherwise. People said that in 2008, than look what happened. Lost 40-0 in the GF with a team over the salary cap.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Why Souths?
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Thats the idea they won't play well for a while.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Storm do lack depth though, no one can argue that.
Stu
Guest
I agree. It is not that the opinion is wrong but the premise isn't developed in the slightest before you take off with the opinion: Why have the Storm peaked? That's the question. If one loss in 15 is "peaked" then that is one argument. If it is a failure to play the style of football they did in the finals last year then that is another. If it is low completion rates or bad kicking or something fine...but...you haven't said that is. I know that isn't the point of the article but the shakiness of your starting premise is why the comments above go, "hold on...". The best games I've seen this year have been the World Club Challenge + Souths v Melbourne + Souths v Manly. There are three common denominators there. Melbourne, Souths and Manly. That's my prediction for the end of the year. Two out of three will be there at the end.
Joshua Wells
Roar Rookie
You give no reason as to why the Storm have peaked this season. Silly article. No basis at all and is just a bias view that is obviously blind to the Storm and their current form. They will win this season.
Myles Stedman
Roar Guru
Wait...why have the Storm peaked in 2013?
Myles Stedman
Roar Guru
Count me in, junk article, without any malice to the author. Sydney sider desperately trying to write off the Storm.
PuntPal
Roar Pro
The Storm have played about half their games to a pretty average standard. Tigers, Warriors, Dragons (all of them average teams) were right in their matches against the Storm (in Melbourne!). The Storm were able to win those ones, but it was clear that if they placed a classy oponent they would be struggling....they also beat Bulldogs missing all their guns and Broncos without Hodges. The Storm are anything but a shoo-in for 2013
PuntPal
Roar Pro
I dont think its a junk article. I think it will be funny if the Storm season turns out as Daniel thinks and see what people are saying by Round 25 this year. I think there will be some big changes with the top 4 by the time the season is over...and everyone will claim they saw it coming...at least this bloke had the guts to put some thoughts out there
Renegade
Guest
Shouldn't that be a warning.....the storm aren't playing well yet were undefeated until last week, what happens when they start playing well??
Daniel Vella
Roar Rookie
Don't have it in for the storm, no bias and agree can happen to other teams. This year I can't see how they can keep up the pace they have set. As I said before. Time will tell.
Clark
Guest
I think this is more likely to happen to South Sydney. One of the Burgess Brothers will get injured, Sutton will be exposed as he always does and from there the Souths hype will disappear. The Melbourne Storm are seasoned veterans and will be there at the end of the year, no doubt about it
Clark
Guest
Barbecueing alone as James Maloney would say
Bearfax
Guest
Ho hum. We hear the Gloom and Doom story about the Storm each year, like we hear Manly are going to miss the eight each year. Time and again it doesnt happen at least up to now. Though I think Souths are my favourite to win the premiership, I wouldnt be betting against the Storm. Too often they have looked dead and gone and then surge and win the premiership or get close. They'll be there again this year.
Mantis
Roar Guru
Cmon mate... You clearly have it in for Melbourne. How will the Roosters go minus their halves during origin? Manly without The stewarts, and possibly DCE who could jag a QLD bench spot. "Depth? Any injuries to first grade forwards or outside backs will be difficult to cover. " - This is the same for any team. I don't go for the Storm by any stretch, but this is just being blatantly biased against them.
BlakeW
Guest
"Brett Finch has covered at halfback however is not quite up to first grade standard." This isn't delusional, this is fact. Long-term Rooosters fans will agree.
Bill Larkin
Guest
Another vote for junk article. The Storm has barely played the full 80 minutes this year. Like last year, they will peak when it really matters, and take all before them in the finals.