This week’s match of the round will be the Newcastle Knights hosting the Melbourne Storm at Central Coast Stadium.
It still feels weird that Newcastle is the home team, but not at Marathon.
You have teams who in the last two weeks have faced the red-hot Canberra Raiders with Melbourne unable to get the win and Newcastle putting a number on the green machine. Does that imply Newcastle will win? No.
I don’t know how the teams will go this weekend but Newcastle have shown they are not the same team who once were easy beats. Putting Raiders to the sword has shown the competition this Newcastle side ain’t one to take easy.
Let’s take a look into the head to head between the teams:
Played: 41 times
Melbourne: 25 wins
Newcastle: 16 wins
Melbourne have defeated Newcastle seven times in a row. They may have a streak against us but all streaks are made to be broken. The Undertaker can back that one up.
Another big fact coming into this encounter is you have Craig Bellamy versus Adam O’Brien. The 12-year mentor and apprentice relationship these two had will now see them face off for the first of many times. No matter how many times they play against each other, there will always be one first encounter.
This new side of the Newcastle Knights has been a force to be reckoned with and this game here is another massive test for them to pass. Melbourne Storm will be ready to bring everything they have and for Newcastle to win, they’ll have to hit the Storm with everything they have, including the kitchen sink.
This Newcastle side is reminding me of the old school Newcastle that didn’t take shit from anyone. They gave everything their all and played a ruthless style of football. If this Knights side remains this way during the season, they could be considered heavy favourites for the big one.
Roarers, who do you have for the win? Newcastle or Melbourne?
Blackberry Smoke
Guest
I don’t even know what ZT is.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Mate I’d like to see your boys get up. It would be great for your side to take their scalp back to the clubhouse. Actually it would probably be great for everyone except Melbourne fans obviously. But Melbourne....you know, even when they play badly they go and pull out two or three brilliant tries. You have to admire them.
Joe
Roar Rookie
The Knights were very impressive against the Raiders and even snuffed out a mini comeback midgame. The forwards are very impressive with Klemmer and both Saifiti boys playing powerfully. The key though was Ponga. Big difference to the team attack and the fast flowing game suits him. Against tiring forwards he is deadly. That left side combo with Best and Lee is really blossoming. Picking both Lees to score this game.
Nat
Roar Guru
It feels like there is a certain resentment for the Storm Adrian? A few emotive words and more passion than strategy (although that is coach's role). It depends on how the game is officiated, if it's allowed to be slowed and only a few restarts, Melbourne by 14. It's Cummins so who knows. The Knights have been good to watch and this one will be another real test.
Don
Roar Rookie
I feel the Storm are about to click and someone is going to get 40 put on them in the next 3 weeks. It might be this weekend. Anyway, Storm by 14.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Newcastle get up this weekend Adrian. Keep the faith.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Blackberry, do you moonlight at ZT???
Paul
Roar Guru
There was a 10 or 15 minute segment in last weeks game where the Raiders came very hard at your guys, scored a couple of tries and appeared to be on a roll. Coaches this year have talked about how hard it is with the new rules to slow/stop this momentum rol, yet your Knights managed to do that and came away with a strong win. We know the Storm will come hard at your guys at some point in this match. If the side can maintain it's composure and get through that period, there's no reason why you can't take the points. The Storm still aren't in their groove and I think this is a chance for your boys to steal this game. The Knights by a try.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately I think the Storm will get the chocs but I reckon the Knights will be closer than a lot of other teams. I' m really impresed with OBrian. He seems to have brought a gallon of belief to the club and thats a rare comodity. The Storm are still favs for the minor premiership imo. They just win when they should and sometimes when they shouldn't . I love the ' they were clunky in attack' . As if that won't get better. Last year the Roosters were 'clunky' for large parts of the season but by finals time they were a Swiss watch.
Walter Black
Guest
Melbourne all the way. They are struggling a bit, still very clunky but they usually find a way to win and so it will be this week. It is a very foolish man that writes off Melbourne.
Blackberry Smoke
Guest
I’m pretty confident your boys will get up this weekend. Very confident actually. I wasn’t impressed at all by Melbourne against an even less impressive Soouffs. If Newcastle can get an early lead and minimise their mistakes, and keep punching hard at Melbourne, I think they’ll win it convincingly. Melbourne don’t have a quality halfback, and Smith can’t be relied on to do everything. Newcastle by 12+ .
Rickoh makis
Guest
:rugby:
Phil
Roar Rookie
Adrian, your posts are part of my compulsory reading. Not for the grammatical content, not for your grasp of our hybrid language but for your passionate support of the team from Newie. If only I could muster such enthusiasm for my hopelessly performing Saints, if only I could. Marathon Stadium, now there's a blast from the past, the tyre company that didn't sell enough tyres. Some of us still call it the ISC, International Sports Centre, it's original name although there was not much in the way of international sport hosted there. Don't worry about the seven blot result over their last seven encounters, keep thinking positive; the longer the drought the closer you are to rain. When you add it up, Canberra belted Melbourne, Newcastle belted Canberra so it's a must, Newcastle will belt Melbourne. There you go, the result is in the bag. Seriously, I am very impressed with the Knights this year, especially their commitment in defence. They have a very well adjusted team, they are well coached, riding on confidence and have some very, very good young players to complement the older ones. A lot has been said about Bradman Best and rightly so, possibly the best centre prospect since Matt Gidley. The forwards look to be working as a unit providing a platform for the backs. Adam O'Brien has something Nathan Brown wishes he had.