The difference in class between the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm is paper thin. Recent results confirm that assertion, with just a point often separating the clubs.
If anyone attending Adelaide Oval on Friday night expected a blow-out score line to buck that trend they were to be sadly mistaken, as the two most professional and efficient units in the NRL once again turned on the defensive fireworks.
When two quality teams come to play, points are at a premium and the first half saw both sides look to completions and astute kicking in an attempt to achieve dominance.
An early penalty goal to the Roosters was countered by a slick move down the left flank by Melbourne that saw all the big guns involved. Ryan Papenhuyzen finished the move and it gave the Storm a 6-2 lead after 19 minutes.
The Roosters responded in the 25th minute when Daniel Tupou scored out wide after brilliant work from Brett Morris and the Latrell Mitchell conversion put the Roosters back in front. Then the tricolours doubled down and a Joseph Manu try extended the lead to 12-6 in the 33rd minute, before a late piece of brilliance from Brodie Croft sent the teams to the sheds at 12-12.
The 6-1 first half penalty count in favour of the Roosters would no doubt have had Craig Bellamy in a rage in the coach’s box and frankly, did seem a little out of whack considering the flow of play in the first half.
Logic suggested that if the referees were to ‘level things up’ after the break, the Storm might just run over the top of the Roosters in the second half.
How wrong that logic proved to be and an arm wrestle ensued in the scoreless first 24 minutes of the second stanza.
That deadlock was broken in the 64th minute when Cameron Smith did what Cameron Smith does so well. He caught a sloppy defender in error and the subsequent penalty conversion sent the Storm into the lead by 14-12.
From that point on the game was as gripping and grinding as rugby league can be. It was thrust and parry, push and prod and the scoreboard attendant sat motionless for the final 16 minutes.
There were no tries in the second half, just the lone penalty conversion won by the referee whisperer himself. In the end, the never ending tension between the Storm and the Roosters remains unresolved.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
This time around it was the Storm who prevailed. A match-up on grand final day may well produce the same result, or perhaps the Roosters can again find a way a way past the Storm when it really matters.
In the early Friday night game, a horrific and fatal traffic accident in the Wollongong area restricted the crowd at WIN Stadium as the Dragons took on the Cowboys in what loomed as a ‘last chance saloon’ sort of encounter.
Both sides were sent onto the park to play accordingly, with little adventure or risk taken in the opening 40 minutes. It was entertaining if not a little risk adverse and the Cowboys took the early advantage with tries to Tom Opacic and new signing Scott Drinkwater helping to establish a 10-0 lead just minutes before the break.
A converted try to Mikaele Ravalawa just three minutes before half-time gave the Dragons hope and the second half began unfortunately for the Cowboys with Michael Morgan leaving the field for a HIA. His head knock threatened to derail the Cowboys’ efforts on the night.
Matt Dufty struck like a thief in the night in the 57th minute with a try and the conversion saw the Dragons in front for the first time, with Morgan’s plight still a mystery. At 12-10 things looked tight and considering where the teams sat on the ladder and with so much at stake, it was no surprise.
The arm wrestle was finally decided by a Euan Aitken converted try with just over ten minutes remaining on the clock. Without Morgan, who never returned, the Cowboys lost their structure and the Dragons managed the game well and iced a 22-14 victory despite a late try to the visitors.
It was the Dragons’ second win from their last eight and a much needed boost to their chances of participating in September action. As for the Cowboys, well they are done. Stick a fork in them and start thinking about 2020.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
You could both be right. We see plenty of evidence of Bellamy blowing up in the box and I can imagine he would keep all players accountable - but maybe he just knows how to get the best out of players and get their respect. And there is probably a lot more that we don't see behind the scenes where he supports the playing group.
bbt
Guest
He seems to be able to get loyalty from his playing group.That sums up his abilities as a boss.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Yet nobody seems to leave and I don't recall any players or ex-assistants having anything negative to say about him ....
Paul
Roar Guru
Can't fault your observation about the coverage, Peter. As for questions around his maturity, in hindsight I'm probably not in a position to comment, except to say I'm not a fan of watching it, but as you say, that's the image the broadcasters choose.
Peter Piper
Guest
Boring yes but immature ? This is Craig Bellamy, he wears his heart on his sleeve, he reacts with passion and frustration but its natural, its part of the man. He isn't going out of his way to show that side of himself to you, He isn't making a big thing of it, its Ch 9 that is making a big thing of it. Its the coverage that is boring and immature not the man.
db
Guest
They have better options. Sam Verrills is a threat out of dummy-half and his service is better than that of Radley. The added bonus is that would allow Radley to return to the role of ball playing middle third player. The width and option availability in the middle third is something the Roosters are sorely lacking at the moment.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Full face, he foams a lot
Clanger McClunk
Guest
You've got that the wrong way around. Bob Fulton was a 5/8 who was temporarily moved to the centres. He was the form 5/8 in 1967 but missed a spot on the Kangaroo tour to Tony Branson. Branson was the incumbent 5/8 for the 1968 World Cup but was eventually replaced by Fulton. As good as Bob could play, he was notorious for hogging the ball wanting to do it all himself. His move to the centres was to get the ball past the 5/8 to the outside backs although the Manly coach at the time denied this reason.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Ba ha ha ahaaaa... ;)
Joe
Roar Rookie
I think he got spooked by the earlier play when he passed out and Tupou had instead cut in and was on his inside.
The Barry
Roar Guru
He’s a great coach and any club would want him...I can understand him losing his shizz with a big call or late in the game, but he does it every time something happens. It’s a bit much.
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Joe, the problem is Robinson thinks he can play 5/8, he's convinced Latrell he can play 5/8, so they play arguably the best centre in the world out of position and expect him to do great things. The only centre I can recall who could make that transition really work was a bloke from Manly named Fulton and he's an Immortal.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Yeah, what was with Morris? Too many years on the wing? That's the issue with moving wingers into centre, these guys forget how to pass.
Paul
Roar Guru
They do throw a lot of pass forward, for sure DP. Mind you, it came as a complete shock to Melbourne players when Cam Smith started through passes backwards as the rules state.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
If Easts passes aren't finding their mark its because someone isn't listening and forgot to throw the ball forward.......
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
That might have been dangerous... Hope you had a helmet on in that fantasy...
Paul
Roar Guru
I agree, but I still maintain trying to play 5/8 as though he's a very good centre!
Superspud
Roar Rookie
I actually thought Mitchell did some good things in this game. He played a role in Manu try and also what should have been the game winning play down the left edge.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Wouldn't trade Bellamy complete with arm waving and flying spit for any other coach. He's said a few times that he's actually calmed down since the early days which is pretty amazing considering what we saw last night. I have to say though just as with his players he is much more intense when playing against the top teams or other great coaches. He is like this now with the Roosters, has always been like this playing any Bennett team as well.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I agree Joe but he is still a match winner. If Morris passes the ball to his winger as any competent centre would we would all be saying how Latrell pulled the game out of the fire. Really all he need to do is tackle well, chase well and once or twice a match do his thing .