The Melbourne Storm were back to their best against Cronulla last week and will put the Newcastle Knights to the sword if Wayne Bennett’s men are not prepared for battle at AAMI Park. Join us for live scores and commentary from 3.00pm AEST.
Having produced several lean home performances by their high standards in recent weeks, Melbourne managed to rediscover their best form last Sunday against the Sharks en route to a 38-6 victory.
Storm stars Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Gareth Widdop all had outstanding games as Melbourne tore apart a Sharks outfit that had won its previous four matches.
With such form back on the board, Melbourne will once again be heavily favoured to make light work of a Knights side coming off back to back defeats to the Warriors and Dragons.
Newcastle are yet to win a game away from home this season and face a tough ask today against a Melbourne unit seemingly back to its best.
Prediction
The only saving grace for Newcastle today may revolve around the idea that Melbourne’s performance against Cronulla last week was too perfect.
It will be interesting to see if the Storm are able to replicate such form today against Newcastle, given that everything they touched turned to gold against Cronulla.
One of the main reasons why Melbourne have played well over the past fortnight results from the fact that they have scored the first try.
The Storm are the best frontrunners in the competition as evidenced by their supreme winning record when leading at halftime.
When the opposition score the first try however, Melbourne’s clockwork attack falls apart somewhat as evidenced by their losses to the Panthers and Raiders earlier in the year.
With this in mind, the only way for Newcastle to really give themselves a chance of causing the upset would be to score the first try and play from in front.
While easier said than done, an early try may put a spanner in Melbourne’s machine-like play, and this may provide the Knights with the belief necessary to play with the intensity required to cause the upset.
Another fast start from the Storm however and Newcastle’s hopes of securing the two competition points could very well evaporate by halftime today.
Storm by 14.
Matt
Guest
Seemed to be a handful of forward passes every set from both sides. Hitting too flat or late too often.
Bazzio
Roar Guru
Smith's forward pass that was let go for a try cost NoCastle the game.
Morfs
Guest
Good call, Tom!
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
OMG - PLEASE, tell me it's over ... Thanks for your report ... One hand on the mouse - refresh, refresh, refresh, and one on the Smart Phone, whilst viewing the delayed telecast - Half time on Channel 9 - A bloody disgrace in the 21st Century - But, at least now I can sit down, relax, have a drink knowing the Storm have another 2 points ... WOW!!! Newcastle put it to the Storm today - The Purple Army where lucky they won, :-/ :-) :-D
Alan
Roar Guru
The Storm have come from behind to defeat Newcastle by two points in a very good game of football. Newcastle produced their most intense performance of the season to date and nearly came away with the upset victory. Mullen superb today with his kicking game and overall play in general. Knights forwards rolled up their sleeves and defended very well as a unit. Melbourne though stuck with Newcastle and just produced enough class in attack to get home today. Smith the standout for the Storm as was Hoffman. Thanks for your company today and join us later tonight for Roosters - Warriors! Storm 16 Knights 14
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Storm 16 Knights 14
Alan
Roar Guru
80' - Its been a very tight second half but Melbourne once again look likely to win at home. Newcastle now get possession back from the kick as Uate is tackled well Storm 16 Knights 14
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Melbourne holding on here but are defending well thus far. Knights on the attack. Mullen finds Roberts who hands it straight to Melbourne and the Storm will hold on surely Storm 16 Knights 14
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Knights attack here and will get the scrum here 40 out from their own line. Last chance here surely for the Knights to strike. Storm 16 Knights 14
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Melbourne working it out from their own half. Need to hold on to possession. Smith with a kick and its a good kick as Uate gathers possession and is over his 10 Storm 16 Knights 14
Alan
Roar Guru
No worries Boomshanka. 77' - Time running out for Newcastle. They have been very good today and remain with a good chance to perhaps seal a win. Knights on the attack. Kick cross field from Mullen and Waqa takes the ball well Storm 16 Knights 14
Alan
Roar Guru
75' - Melbourne with the scrum in good territory. Newcastle need to hold out. Forward pass though from the Storm and Newcastle hold on Storm 16 Knights 14
Boomshanka
Guest
Cheers for this Alan TV coverage of this game should not be delayed. Many thanks for your efforts here.
Alan
Roar Guru
74' - Scott with a good offload finds Gagai who makes good metres. Newcastle attack now with Boyd who then finds Leilua who has lost the football here.... Storm 16 Knights 14
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Newcastle now under huge pressure after playing so well. Storm at their throats. Widdop with a grubber and Uate gets back into the field of play! Great defence Newcastle Storm 16 Knights 14
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Smith knocks on and Melbourne with a chance to seal the deal here surely! Storm 16 Knights 14
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Fascinating final nine minutes coming up now. Proctor with a good run. Storm with momentum now. Newcastle have to stay positive and alert. Finch with a kick and Waqa regathers and there is a kick in-field and the Knights eventually regather possession on their own line Storm 16 Knights 14
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Smith converts Storm 16 Knights 14 Melbourne infront for the first time in the match. Newcastle now have to respond. Can they maintain their composure after playing so well thus far?
Tom
Guest
Storm by 2
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY STORM - Hoffman with a miracle pass away and Slater scores for Melbourne under the posts! Storm 14 Knights 14