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.
steveng
Roar Rookie
The Rabbits could do anything, they haven't been playing well and I agree with you on their plight. Hopefully they will regroup and have a blinder against the Broncos. As far as the Roosters are concerned, well the Roosters have allot of injuries and the Roosters record against the Rabbits isn't that good. As far as I'm concerned and as a Rabbits fan, I will go into these last 2 last games with an open mind, that anything could and will happen. But the Rabbits are not a "fait accompli" as yet, and the Rabbits are a chance of doing anything or falling right on their face.
Muzz
Guest
Tonights result would suggest that anything is possible in this years competition.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Sharks will lose to Manly.......you watch. Hell they might even lose to the Eels.
Muzz
Guest
The Storm are on 28 points, WB It's the Sharks who are on 30 that may pip you to the post.
Muzz
Guest
It'll be interesting to see if Bennett rests some of his key players as suggested.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Maybe but the Storm have a tough finish also playing the Cowboys and Broncos. Bottom line is the Bunnies must win there next to lock in 4th.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
An enigma. A supporisotoey by any other name. Mm nah
Parrafan
Guest
Nah love seeing the cheats be made to play honest.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Rabbits will finish 7th if they lose both of those...
Dane
Guest
Probably seeing your own team actually making finals might be a better weekend...
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Well that sucks. Jesus wept. Can't I finally get a decent round.
jamesb
Guest
Wow, that is an unexpected result.
Muzz
Guest
I still think you'll finish out of the top 4 Steven and week 1 will be an elimination final. Sharks have the Eels and Manly and should win both and finish 4th. Your boys have the Broncos and then the mighty Roosters. Roosters v Sharks. Broncos v Cowboys week 1 Qualifying finals imo
steveng
Roar Rookie
Thanks Knights! This is an unbelievable score for the Rabbits!
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you to everyone who joined me on this live blog, we look forward to seeing you all again soon.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: 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 the clash. The first try came via Gidley before Melbourne had even touched the ball, and Roberts, who was outstanding all night, converted with ease. Immediately after young Storm fullback Cameron Munster managed to equalise, and after a successful conversion it looked like Melbourne would take the game from there and run away with it. However, it was not to be. The Storm defence looked as if it had fell asleep, and some cheap penalties and highball blunders in the back saw that Newcastle would take the first half with an impressive 12-point lead. The most notable being Cronk's intercepted pass which Roberts took on before a great run which saw him earn a 65-metre try. The second half was all Newcastle. Every time the Storm would build up a head of steam the Knights would shut them down, and it seemed as though nothing at all was going their way. The Knights through Tyrone Roberts forced six line dropouts after some incredible kicking into their box, before a shocking blunder from Cronk via a 20-metre dropout on the full saw Roberts get another chance at two points- which he took. It really was the story of the game, Melbourne would make a mistake, and Newcastle would be 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. If they perform as badly as they did tonight, they may for sure. 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
Worlds Biggest
Guest
This Bunnies supporter says thankyou Knights !
Parrafan
Guest
Is there anything better than seeing Manly knocked out of the finals race, and Storm more than likely being knocked out of a top 4 spot in the one weekend. Go Newcastle. Goes to show if the Storm aren't allowed to control the ruck speed they look very ordinary.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
79' - Disastrous moment for the Storm, a forward pass after a clear and easy catch. Newcastle's scrum feed. The buzzer sounds and Newcastle win an incredible match! A 14 point win, in Melbourne. Incredible. MELBOURNE STORM 6 NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 20
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
79' - Duffie almost gets there off a grubber in the corner, but the ball is knocked out for a line dropout. MELBOURNE STORM 6 NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 20