Surely the Cronulla Sharks were no chance against the clinical Melbourne Storm without the services of Wade Graham, Matt Moylan, Shaun Johnson and Aaron Woods?
The average NRL punter would have been excused for writing off Cronulla’s chances, and when Matt Prior reeled away from the opening tackle of the match with an injured shoulder, the Sharks’ night appeared done.
Cue the relentless efficiency of the Storm and a grinding victory on a rare wet night in season 2019.
Yeah, right!
What followed was a brave and resilient effort from Cronulla, one that took the Storm to the brink and kept them there.
After a quick start by the visitors, a strange quirk of fate saw Sione Katoa cross the line in the seventh minute to set up a 6-0 lead for the Sharks.
However, the quiet and methodical processes of the Storm followed. Tries to Josh Addo-Carr and Jesse Bromwich built a 12-6 lead for Craig Bellamy’s men after 22 minutes.
The Sharks scored late in the first half when Briton Nikora crossed and the conversion sent the teams to the sheds at 12-all.
Logic suggested the Storm would cop a mouthful from their mentor at the break and emerge from the rooms breathing fire.
No such luck for the Mexicans, as the Sharks found an early penalty goal, before a 54th-minute converted try to Braden Uele had the home side in front by 20-12.
Could it really be happening? No way! The Storm would surely settle and grind out a win off the back of the game management of the Camerons, Smith and Munster.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Not tonight, as the Sharks held on, despite a late converted try to Ryan Papenhuyzen that scared the heck out of the Sharks’ home crowd.
Even a late penalty that presented the Storm with a chance of victory at the eleventh hour wasn’t enough and the Cronulla faithful sang their team song with a gusto similar to that of 2016 after their 20-18 win.
The Storm look a little fragile after a loss against the undermanned Sharks and significant scares against the Warriors and Bulldogs in recent weeks.
Could it be that Cameron Smith is indeed nearing the end?
Are the Storm a spent force?
Has the Bellamy magic worn off?
Pffftttt, no chance.
Earlier in the evening, the North Queensland Cowboys jumped the Gold Coast Titans on the back of a stunning first-half effort from the returning Jason Taumalolo.
After a month of frustration, the NRL’s best and most valuable player ran for in excess of 120 metres, scored a try and slipped seamlessly back into his groove during the first 40 minutes in Townsville.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
The victims were an unlucky Titans side that crossed the line multiple times in the first half, only to be denied by technicalities, errors and quite frankly an atrocious decision that robbed them of a fair try to Tyrone Peachey.
Phillip Sami was adjudged to have interfered with the chase of Jake Granville after AJ Brimson had sent Peachey on an open run to the line.
In reality, first contact had been made by Granville as he reached across the Titans’ winger and even after the on-field decision of try, the belligerent bunker managed to muck up another important decision.
The 16-4 half-time score was somewhat misleading after the numerous penalties awarded to the Cowboys in attacking position had logically led to points.
The rugby league gods kicked in early in the second half and the Titans clawed their way back into the contest with tries to Kevin Proctor and Anthony Don.
Inaccurate conversions were the difference when the Cowboys held a slender 16-14 lead with 20 minutes remaining on the clock.
Injuries to Michael Gordon, Phillip Sami and Tyrone Roberts had the Titans on the ropes and the Cowboys took the initiative as the visitors fatigued.
A stunning try to John Asiata from his clever kick and Ben Hampton’s return pass was the stuff of genius.
Soon after, Justin O’Neill scored the final try of the match as he sliced through the left-edge defence of the Titans and Jordan Kahu’s conversion completed a 28-14 victory for the home side.
It was an encouraging and much needed two points for the Cowboys.
The Titans head back to the Gold Coast well aware that the bottom rung of the ladder awaits for them on Sunday night, should results go against them over the weekend.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/uli-jon-roth-says-quality-of-rock-journalism-has-really-dropped/
Renegade
Roar Guru
There is a difference with having them miss one game at different times compared to missing your highest paid 5 players all at the same time with one out for 4 weeks and the longest being 12.... not even a close comparison. No one is denying the Roosters are the benchmark though.
Josh H
Roar Rookie
Hi Stuart, good article, but I don't think I agree with your analysis of Peachey's no try. It was adjudged by the bunker that Granville and Sami were man-to-man when Granville made first contact - which is perfectly legal - but Sami's contact, which was more significant, was the one that gave his opposition and unfair disadvantage. Titans were no less unlucky though, the Cowboys were hardly on top until the final 10 minutes.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I’ve got the haircut.
farkurnell
Guest
Ok spud I concede the Roosters do have the depth and deserve GF fav.,but Melb lose GOAT and/or Munster and they come back to the pack.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
I don't want to alarm you too much but I think you'll find the Roosters have probably had the worst run with injuries than anyone. Apart from Keary, Cronk JWH, SST Jake Friend, Isaac Liu and Brett Morris all missed more than one game. I would think they have used more players than anyone this season.
Rob
Guest
Nothing exciting in the Cowboys victory others than they have 1 more win than the Broncos now. I feel for the Titans who had absolutely no luck with injuries a dud bunker call. No doubt about the Sharks getting up for the Storm at home. Peptides and refs all on board for that result.
Rob
Guest
That’s Morgo’s nature. He doesn’t want to be the hero but he’s happy to grab the moment. Weird but he doesn’t like attention but is quietly confident in his ability.
Rob
Guest
Come on you two, cut it out. You sound like Donald Trump on a dinner date with Kim Jong in.
farkurnell
Guest
yes Spud .Every cloud has a silver lining ,Sharks roster is evolving with blooding a heap of good youngster. My opinion the top clubs ,come September, need at least 20 quality players to cover the inevitable serious injuries during the season.Easts n Storm are yet to pickup any serious injuries to key players (except Keary) which will probably come later in the season.Will the Storm n Easts replacements match up when there time comes?. Just on Penrith they are a rabble and odds-on for the spoon - 6 coaches in 6 years is reaping its just rewards.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Another reason why I like Bellamy as a coach. Instead of complaining about referees or the other team tactics, he gives his players a serve for not performing the way he expected them to. It's quite refreshing compared to the drivel some of the other coaches come up with. You just know as well that he means it. There will be some nervous lads in the Storm camp the next few weeks.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Agree, cannot argue there... that game against the roosters, a lot of the end result was due to his brain explosion just before halftime.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Bazz what’s going on at kennel ? Gus heading home bro
Insider
Roar Rookie
Holy dooolly MASS BOARD SACKINGS AT THE KENNEL IS GUS COMING HOME ????
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Yeah I wasn't necessarily saying that the two of them don't make them a better team just in the context of the 2nd half last night they were better without them. Against the Roosters they were in the wrestle then a defensive rush of blood from Johnson and a poor kick and it's 12 nil. Great player but one little slip up last night and Melbourne pounce.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Gotta love our game Albo. One of the top 2 teams, struggle against, and then loss to an injury hit team laced with youngies. Speaking of which, my pick is xerri. Big strong and fast and a good defender. But his best attribute is his maturity. How many young players try to overplay their hand. I haven't seen him do it once.
Joe
Roar Rookie
The Sharks played like winners and they deserved the win. They were just better than the Storm in all facets, especially in the second half. Watched Bellamy's presser and he was right on the money not only on his teams performance but the excellent performance from the Sharks players. That is something I'm at least a bit happy about, that the coach did not suger coat that performance and may actually start tapping players on the shoulder. As someone else mentioned here, the last 3 weeks they've been getting by on the backs of Smith and Munster but they need a whole lot more from other key players. They looked lost at times and clunky in attack but mostly the urgency and will to grind out a win is not there and that comes down to attitude.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It does sound a little sacrilegious...but it’s on the money. Early days but he’s a gun. Great defender, really fit and tough, makes every run at full belt and runs great angles.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Harder, faster and with far less errors in his game ! He is a beauty ! If young Flanagan had a bit more experience he might have put Nikora over for a couple more tries last night as he ran those perfect lines, only to be cut out.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Although the Storm have not been going that well, Birdy, they have still been getting home just, via the class of Smith and Munster, and they have had plenty of good fortune along the way. But like you I thought they would continue this same pattern against the injury ravaged Sharks. But the young Sharks really muscled up and Nikora & Flanagan did a good job blotting out Munster the Storm's main attacking threat. And unusually , the Storm also copped both the negative errors and penalty counts against them this time, which really helped the Sharks in that 2nd half. Just the wonderful uncertainty of the game of Rugby League !