Finals footy comes to Melbourne as the Melbourne Storm take on the Newcastle Knights at AAMI Park. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.45pm AEST.
Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy are arguably the two best coaches in the modern game, but tonight their sides face off for survival in 2013.
Bellamy’s Storm start as heavy favourites; they finished third in the season proper and have defeated the Knights in their last seven encounters.
Melbourne’s recent form, however, has been far from their best.
They certainly failed to fire against the Rabbitohs last Friday night – though had a couple of 50/50 video ref decisions gone their way, they still may have emerged victorious in that contest.
Either way, as we’ve come to learn about Melbourne, you can’t expect them to stay quiet for long. Not with the big three at the helm.
Be it international, Origin or finals footy, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk have proven themselves time and time again on the big stage, and they’ll know exactly what it’ll take to get the job done tonight.
The Knights, on the other hand, have been in tremendous form.
Of last week’s four finals winners, it was only they who managed to do so in convincing fashion.
Jarrod Mullen led the way with his pinpoint kicking and passing game, but equally as impressive were the likes of Jeremy Smith, Beau Scott and Willie Mason up front.
The experienced trio have had an injury-interrupted season thus far, but they seem to be hitting their straps at the right end of the campaign.
Their outside backs continue to impress too – the young centre pairing of Dane Gagai and Joseph Leilua had breakout games last week, with nine tackle busts and over 330m gained between them.
But while the signs are looking good for the Knights, they’ll need to perform for the full 80 minutes if they’re a hope of beating the Storm.
Already in 2013 the Knights have held half-time leads against the reigning premiers only to crumble in the second period.
That’s Melbourne for you – they grind and grind and, when the opportunities come, they take them.
The Knights’ recent form will give them a lot of confidence coming into this match and it’s tempting to tip them – I certainly think they’re a better chance than their $3.25 head to head suggests.
In the end, though, Melbourne have too much brilliance in their ranks to tip against them. They’ll find a way to win.
Storm by 6.
Will the Storm take a step towards defending their 2012 premiership, or will the Knights spring an upset and find themselves unlikely members of the final four?
Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.45pm AEST, and be sure to let us know your thoughts if you’re following along.
Dave
Guest
A penalty try should have been awarded to Storm after Buderus took out Slater without the ball. Just like they did in the GF.
Dave
Guest
I'm glad I was wrong. We got penalised very bad all season then in the finals we finally got a fair go. Must have been the scrutiny the refs were under after that 7th tackle try. Refereeing was poor all year and very sub standard and it never improved in the finals. one of our tries was off a forward pass and one of Manly's Pearce was interfered with should have been a penalty. It evened out but the refs need to take a long hard look at themselves.
Dave
Guest
I was talking about one incident not the last 10 years. The Storm had those premierships taken away from them so paid their just dues but should have been 18-18 vs Newcastle and instead they lose. Buderus should have been sin binned. What do the video refs get paid for?
Dave
Guest
But when it happened to us they awarded a penalty try. I suppose it was in full view but what's the video refs for then? Unfortunately for Buderus karma has a funny way of bringing bad luck to those who cheat and get away with it.i was also fuming when Aubussen tackled Lyons without the ball. I was mad at that. Why on earth cheat like that. I want to win honestly not by doing that lowlife stuff. The refs rightly awarded a penalty try but things like this are extremely unsportsmanlike like and should be stamped out of the game by suspending players for a mandatory 2 weeks. I was really ashamed for the first time in the season to be a rooster fan after what Aubussen did. It wasn't necessary. If he score he scored. What if he knocked on? Aubusson conceded a try and disgraced the team. I hope he doesn't get into the habit of it because I love to see good football not that trash.
Jean Smith
Guest
Robbity Bob I have already in one of my comments i The Roar congratulated Newcastle and I know they are under a lot of scrutiny as you say but their is still a lot of questionable decisions they have made and I am not a sore loser I did make a comment about Storm having lost their sharpness in their game and I also said Storm will be a better team from this loss next year.
JR Salazar
Guest
My opinion of them will change when they clean up their act next year and start winning the games that matter. Like THIS. I have high expectations for the teams I follow, and the Storm is no exception.
Robbitybob
Guest
Jean, be fair - Slater got away with a high shot in the latter part of the game. Overall the best team on the night won the game. Rugby League is rough but not necessarily dirty and both teams played the game with passion. That's what is expected of them. A fair minded sportsperson would congratulate the Knights and just wish them all the best for the upcoming game, and hope that the best team on the night wins. Don't be a sore loser - First it was the dirty play, then the refs - then whatever - Give the refs a go - they are the most scrutinised person on the field these days.
Jean Smith
Guest
That is unneccessary JR Salazar what you said about Storm, they did fight it out to the end just because they lost. their is no need to abuse them.
Jean Smith
Guest
For your information RobbityBob Storm are not the kind of team that goes out to cheat. Maybe the Refs should go to a Referee class on how to better manage a game. I know these Refs are not perfect but they do need to know how to better manage a game and be more alert.
robbitybob
Guest
Well - Fancy anyone complaining about the opposition cheating in a Storm game - I seem to recall that the Storm have a bit of history in the cheating business!
Jean Smith
Guest
I agree with you Dave buts its another bad example of the Refs not doing their job properly and I'm afraid this is not going to be the end of it. It is cruel but I have a feeling that it will continue to bring the wrong finish to many clubs in the competition and what makes it even harder when their is a close finish like this one. Particularly when players get tackled wrongly and get away with it, it really makes you frustrated. I think the Refs need to look at all the replays after the game and have it pointed out to them all the mistakes they made and work out how not to let it happen again.
scott
Guest
kinda like cronk on boyd a few weeks ago hey? but dont let that get in the way of your rant.
Jean Smith
Guest
Even though Storm went down by 2 they still made the opposition team work hard for their win. Storm will be better for this next year but they need to recover quicker from previous losses but i..n the long run I am still proud of how they fought it out .
Dave
Guest
They need to be sacked for that. Two teams wrongfully eliminated so far.
Dave
Guest
Something must be done about the refereeing. So far two teams have been eliminated that shouldn't have because of a missed 7th tackle and a missed professional foul that would have evened the game up 18-18. I can understand the refs maybe missing these things but the video refs have replays to check and can send down a message to the ref. why didn't they? Why aren't the video refs doing what they're paid to do? Both storm and cowboy supporters have every right to cry conspiracy as their year ended due to refs not the better team winning. Only the rooster manly game was not decided by refs. Manly got plenty of penalties but couldn't cross the line but all other games so far have resulted in the wrong team winning and losing. Why??
jamesb
Guest
Gus also said something about Newcastle: "Wayne Bennett never misses the finals, but last year he did. If ever there was to be a great example of a bounce-back factor, watch the Knights this year. Bennett has bought tough guys Jeremy Smith and Beau Scott to give his side some steel. He knows what he's doing. Don't back the Knights out." Gus may not be everyone's cup of tea, but he does know his footy
john badseed
Guest
Willy Nelson's favourite team- "on the roids again just can't wait to get on the roids again".
Dave
Guest
They won by cheating. Taking out slater was a professional foul penalty in front sin bin. If you're happy winning by cheating you're a loser. Win cleanly and you can hold you're head high and be proud. Why did cheat Buderus take out a player WITHOUT THE BALL?to stop a try. Slater wasn't even near the ball. Knights are cheaters. If you can't win fair and square and have to resort to low life tactics to win you're cowards. Let it be 18-18 and then see who's the best but Buderus showed what a cheat and coward he was by tackling a player without the ball. What an absolute COWARD and LOSER.
Renegade
Guest
WOW. I take back all my comments above.....credit where credit is due, he picked it at the start! That's a fair effort in such a close competition. The master of hindsight ;) may actually have predicted the GF before the season started.
Dave
Guest
They didn't miss it. The entire country saw it. Penalty in front 18-18 and sin bin. Roosters can't win next week its a rigged comp. Souths have already won.