You don’t have to be Brad Arthur to know what lies around the corner. Hell, you don’t even have to be Craig Bellamy. Anyone with half a footy brain knows that Melbourne’s finals strategy is locked into their DNA.
It may have taken a firecracker to get Joey Leilua to pinch Cameron Smith’s pocket last week but the only folk dodging shrapnel this week are at Red Hill. Back in Melbourne Bellamy will simply dust off the script, tweak and repeat.
On any other night the Storm probably would have held on and enjoyed the week off. The bump and grind was almost enough, it’s the innate finals staple that other club’s call culture.
The only surprise last week was Bellamy himself, using the post-match presser to air grievances over the stop-start nature of the contest – grapple me that.
The Storm locked into finals overdrive in the penultimate week of the home-and-way season with a brutal ambush of the Sea Eagles at Lottoland. Nelson Asofa-Solomona punched holes through the much vaunted Manly pack while Smith played the corners and as Manly wilted the points flowed.
Back in Round 19 it was a different story – on that night the Sea Eagles resisted the initial onslaught and much like Ricky’s Raiders remained close enough at the death to pinch an unlikely victory.
So far this season it has been the only way to extinguish the Storm. A four-point deficit to Canberra back in Round 22 their biggest loss of the year.
It’s been a similar story for sides tackling Melbourne in finals over the last decade – dodge the anaconda’s grip or wilt and concede plenty. With four grand finals and two premierships since 2011, striking holes in the Storm’s finals’ record takes a long bow – but the trends are there.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Either side of blowing the Cowboys off the park in the 2017 decider, there’s an argument that – in the losses to Cronulla and the Roosters – if Melbourne was guilty of anything it was letting both games drift at the expense of their explosive outside backs.
To some it’s the essence of the game, win upfront before attacking the flanks. What Melbourne aren’t guilty of is running up big scores once they own the middle, but if locked in a classic slog fest their conservatism can play into their opponent’s hands.
Brad Arthur is a Bellamy disciple but you can bet his outfit will be primed to disrupt his former mentor’s rhythm. A classic finals grind isn’t the Eels way, not if the last fortnight is anything to go by.
And why not? On the back of early ball to Maika Sivo and Blake Ferguson the Eels’ go forward is as good as any and there’s not better finishers in the competition.
The problem for Bellamy is the fact the Eels can score from anywhere, while the problem for Arthur is lifting his side after a big win. Parramatta has already won nine games this year by 12-plus, but they’ve only backed up with a win the following round on two occasions.
Can the Eels stoke the fire and go again, should Brodie Croft play and will the Storm remain rigid?
So many questions, but at home the Storm deserve favouritism. But the Eels won’t die wondering and if the game is allowed to flow, expect another cracker.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
You’ve seen it before. And you’ll more than likely see the grind version this week, but will it be enough?
mushi
Roar Guru
Pretty impressive trick
Walter White
Guest
Strongly disagree Lost to Manly because of an Annersley admitted wrong call Lost in qualifying final due to 4 (yes 4 in one game) bad calls admitted by Annersley. I realise that officiating has its problems at the moment but it seems that the constant whinging by clubs and their fans is creating a sloping playing field against my team. I just want a fair go for all teams. Let the skills and courage of the players determine the outcome not the silly men with whistles.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
I’m Manly mate. Just home from ANZ, love finals but they hurt.
RoryStorm
Guest
I forgot, Parra and Canberra are in the same half of the draw by memory?
RoryStorm
Guest
In one word. No. But if by some great miracle they do and that's only presuming they beat your side, can the beat Canberra. In three words. I think so. But, we still have to beat your side first. Here's the thing young man, if I thought parramatta could make it all the way through to the GF I'd love to see you or Canberra win the whole thing.
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
No team has less right to complain about refereeing than Melbourne.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
I can’t argue with that, will they roll the Roosters?
Dirk Diggler
Roar Rookie
Let's put things into perspective it took the Raiders until the 78 minute to win the game off the back of a rare error by a guy that almost never make those kinds of mistakes, and in a game where tries were very difficult to come by. I feel the constant changes in the spine have contributed to a lack of cohesion in attack. Also K Bromwich has been one of the Storms best players this year whereas Kaufusi has only scored 1 try and it not the player he is capable of being. If they can every get everyone to click at the same time the Storm are almost impossible to beat.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Thanks Jason. As we all saw last week, my team is very far from being perfect. Just hope they can pull themselves together & do a whole lot better against Parra.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Apologise Stormy, I didn’t realise. Love banter, love League.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
No not at all, not nearly perfect, Jason. I said it was the wrong place to post, but, the offending posts have been taken down. Have you not read the related posts of hate , about Smith, there & as a recurring theme. No-one likes all opposing players, but, most of us don't sling accusations & innuendo about those we dislike about. A number of posts, directed at Smith could have attracted legal action, if he had wanted to go in that direction.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Where’s the hate here Stormy, or do you just think your side is perfect?
Stormy
Roar Rookie
This post is in the wrong place, I know - since Monday this site has featured Cam Smith's latest "winge", implying he'd said or done something wrong. Where is the clarification, or apology, since the Refs' boss has come out saying he was justified in questioning that stoppage. Isn't it time we give this sort of post a miss. It only serves to incite more hate posts.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Two trick unicorn, you win
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Just checked the NRL table. Best attack (631 points scored), best defence (300 points conceded). Hey wait a minute, Jason… that’s two tricks.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Good read, Nat. Tipping a young mans sport, I’d rather preserve credibility these days.
Nat
Roar Guru
Sorry* Eels fans but I'll go out on a limb here and say they have a fair chance. Setting aside my personal bias, the way they played was tremendous and they had all the tricks. Parra don't have the power game to match the Storm and they have a couple of loose cannons with half empty shells (sry Fergo and Brown but it's true). Storm will handle Paulo and Evans with ease so they should be looking for an quick offload and and spread. Chips & grubbers from the halves turn the Melb pack around and take Smith, NAS, Brom/s, Finucane out of the defensive slow-down game. Where Hughes will be looking for Vuni over the top of Sivo, look at the height and weight difference of Lane, Waqa and Fergo over Kaufusi, Olam and JAC - that's where their points are. If they go back into their shell and go one-out, game over, they will be in the anaconda's grip. *Because my tips have been atrocious.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
For sure, straight faced too, I had to replay it to be sure.
Freshyeagle
Roar Rookie
The only surprise last week was Bellamy himself, using the post-match presser to air grievances over the stop-start nature of the contest – grapple me that Ha this made me chuckle Jas , Bellyache must have been laughing on the inside when saying that statement ????????????