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They are the reigning and defending National Rugby League champions. They’re the Melbourne Storm and they deserve our respect.
But after shock losses to the Canberra Raiders and Penrith Panthers, Melbourne have officially hit one of those eventual flat spots most experts predicted. Their torturous start to 2013 has finally caught up to them.
For weeks they had been scrambling to keep themselves in games relying heavily on a little class and a whole lot of heart.
The bubble burst against the Raiders in Round 8. They had officially hit the first wall of the season.
The last thing they needed was a 90 minute dogfight with old foes the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles on Monday night. These sides pummelled each other and somehow Melbourne came away with a draw.
Sure they had all the ball in the second stanza and probably should have won by 20.
But that finishing quality that had got them over the line in the past was gone. They were running on fumes and the Eagles kept hitting.
So here comes Round 11 and the undisputed match of the round between the Storm and the high-flying Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
How do the Roosters beat the weary Storm?
You hit harder than Manly did a week earlier. You step it up another notch and you knock this champion side off its feet.
They will be back and they’ll be hard to beat in September, but right now, the Roosters have a chance to put the foot on the throat.
The Roosters might boast Michael Jennings, Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney.
But it’s their defence that has everyone raving.
The greatest sides through history had the attack but they were also impressive defensive machines. Trent Robinson’s Roosters are one of those defensive machines and they’ll be ready to continue Melbourne’s slump on Saturday.
Sydney are the only side left in the NRL yet to concede 100 points. Their points differential of 142 is also the best in the competition. That means they can beat you with speed and skill or they can just plain beat you up.
This is the perfect time for the Roosters to get Melbourne. They shouldn’t be thinking about racking up a big score or trying to blow the Storm off the park.
This might sound harsh but the Roosters should be thinking about hurting them. Really firing up.
The Storm are battered and bruised.
Why not stick the boot in now?
And hey, the Roosters might just be helping out Laurie Daley and the New South Wales Blues too.
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