The Bulldogs and Storm kicked off the 2024 NRL season with an entertaining clash at Belmore Oval, won 24-12 by Canterbury after a second half comeback
It was a game that would have fit in well in 2019, with Ryan Papenhuyzen and Bronson Xerri stealing the show.
Both were on return games – Papi after a long injury, Xerri from a drug ban – and had plenty to prove.
Papenhuyzen will be given all the time in the world by Craig Bellamy, such is his talent and bad luck, but the desire to get him up to speed saw him feature in a game with few other Storm first graders.
Papi played a key part in the Storm’s first try with a classic outside man fullback move that showed his deception has gone nowhere, and if it needed underlining, a smart kick play just before the break showed his speed is still there too, with Papi racing onto a Jonah Pezet kick with far too much speed for the Dogs defence.
He didn’t kick goals, with Pezet taking those duties, and based on the one dropout that the fullback took, that’s probably for the best with Papenhuyzen missing the field of play entirely and conspiring to send his effort out dead in goal. Good job that is no longer punished by the rules.
Papenhuyzen was sat down at half time and not called upon later, but as returns go, this was about as much as the Storm could have hoped for. No more injuries, two exceptional moments.
Xerri is in a different boat. Following his ban, he will also be given time to catch up to the speed of the NRL, but with far less public goodwill.
Cameron Ciraldo showed faith in his new centre by giving him the start here, and was rewarded by a promising performance.
It didn’t start superbly, as Xerri was made to look very static indeed by Papenhuyzen for Dean Ieremia’s try, but in attack, he averaged upwards on ten metres per carry with the ball while taking more than anyone else on the field other than frontrower Sam Hughes.
If Xerri’s size is to be his major selling point, he put in a good audition here, though every team will be looking at how easily he was squared up in defence.
His part in Jeral Skelton’s try in the second half, too, was exactly what Ciraldo would have wanted to see: good decision making, well-executed and, crucially for this time of year, at speed.
Later, a similarly slick move saw him waltz over following exceptional work from Toby Sexton and junior Joseph O’Neill.
Another debutant was Blake Taaffe, starting at fullback, who showed his usual combination of quick hands and enthusiasm.
Moreover, he brought a deft touch with the boot that could add another level of creativity to a team that hasn’t always had that from the back.
In the middle, Hughes isn’t exactly a new face, with five NRL appearances last year for the Bulldogs, but in a side that drastically needs bulk, he showed plenty of promise that he could be at least part of a solution.
His carry for a try – ultimately disallowed – was a blueprint for what the Dogs have missed with high-contact, good leg drive charge that was able to get the arm over the top in the direction of the line. He didn’t stick the putdown, but the difficult bit before was very encouraging.
Melbourne’s side has fewer questions to be answered, and they will clearly focus on next week’s showpiece trial in Fiji, but Bellamy will have been pleased by Papenhuyzen’s showing and the involvement of a few other youngsters.
Pezet, who will feel the breath of youngster Sua Faalogo down his neck, did his best to state a case with a series of strong moments, none better than the kick for Papenhuyzen, though the likes of Marion Seve and Tyran Wishart have opened door for others to make an impact.
Nat
Roar Guru
Can't comment a lot on the Storm bar Pezet has come on and Paps had a good run. The Dogs though showed a bit of structure. Obviously it was rusty the halves dug in and passed and the backs were deep. Also, Mike's fav stat, the push efforts were quite evident and persistent through the game. If the trials are just about working on fundamentals then it was a good hit out by the Dogs.
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
I guess he wasn't getting tested over the last few years?
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
Yes Knight was never one to spoil a blunder by taking responsibility for it. I thought when he was at St George that Faamausili is not big enough for 1st grade prop, and not fast or agile enough for 2nd row, maybe a bench fwd? Bennett moving him on is probably significant.
Tony Dargon
Roar Guru
Gee...Xerri has certainly bulked up :shocked:
mushi
Roar Guru
There's also a the wrinkle that even if he's personally a better centre the team's still better with him getting more involved at the 6.
Don
Roar Rookie
It will take Xerri a couple of months to get his defence right. Easy to train for running, passing and carrying, but defence at centre requires game time.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Taaffe always gives 100% but I don't think he has the ammo to be a top NRL fullback. I'd probably have Tracey there before Taaffe. But who knows ?
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Tracey is as tough as Campbell Graham coming off his own line.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah that’s definitely a worry Also a worry if we have a back three of Taaffe, JAC and Wilson. Who does the kick returns and tough carries out of our own end Having said that I thought Taaffe went pretty well last night
Albo
Roar Rookie
But what do the Dogs do about fullback ?? Whilst I reckon Crichton is a better centre than fullback, I'm just not sure you can run with Taaffe back there ? He will get buried under bombs and big hits. I think I would opt for Crichton at fullback and Xerri & Kiraz in the centers & Wilson & JAC on the wings ?
The Barry
Roar Guru
I’m in a diminishing minority but I still think Burton’s best position is 6 He needs to be allowed to come into the game when he sees his moment and focus on running. Not getting the team around the park I saw a Burto 2023 highlights package on facebook the other day. Every good thing he did, started with him running at the line Interested to see who starts in the other centre spot. Probably too soon for Xerri. I think Kiraz might get the nod but I think he’s a better winger…
The Barry
Roar Guru
Knight worries me He makes simple errors and then has this shocked look on his face I think Curran at 13 and Salmon on the bench, covering back row and edges as required
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Is there a world where you get premiership winning centers Burto and Critta together again ? Critta on the right with Kiraz and Burto feeding JAC. Sexton and Hutcho in the halfs and Tracey/ Taafe out the back. Pretty strong. Gotta feel for the talent missing out particularly the 2 wingers who played last night.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! Hughes looked good ! King tries hard but too small. Knight, I just can't wear. Too many errors in his game. I thought Preston looked strong in his half. And maybe Salmon will develop into a handy 13 ? Or do use a Josh Curran there for more impact in the middle third ?
astro
Roar Rookie
Hayward is one to watch for sure...
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Albo, a lot of Academy and age players included in the Storm team for their trials who aren't even close to the top 30 squad. They took a decision this year for the first time to put the players who they bring in to train with the big boys actual game time in the Storm jersey. You won't see these players in the NRL in 2024 unless there's a mass illness event or the worst injury crisis in history! It was great to see Paps get through but also just fantastic to see football back!
The Barry
Roar Guru
It’s the middle third that worries me most King and Knight look the likely props, but they don’t have the size or power for today’s game. It’s good to have mobile props in your rotation, but not two as starters. They both work hard but get bullied by other packs on both sides of the ball So I enjoyed Hughes and Faamausili’s performances last night. Hopefully Chris Patolo can get a decent run with injuries too…
Albo
Roar Rookie
You can tell the footy is back ! Baz is back too ! I know you have been burnt before, but I think you might be having a better season in 2024. If the Dogs pack can establish some control in the middle, I reckon the backs can pick up some wins. And most of all, you have some depth coming through for the future.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Can’t read too much into trial form… but we’re going to win the comp !!! I thought Hughes and Faamausili offered a bit of sorely needed size and power in the middle. I was listening to Kiraz on a podcast talk about Hughes ‘training the house down’. Whatever, everyone does at this time of year, but he does look like he’s traded puppy fat for muscle I liked how Sexton and Hutchison played both sides of the field and took the ball to the line. Hopefully that frees up Burton to focus on his running game instead of running the team No shortage of outside backs looking sharp. Skelton is probably down the pecking order but loved how he busted the first tackle pretty much every kick return I’ve got a lot of time for Bailey Hayward watching him in reggies last year. Looked really sharp when he came on and could be a handy bench utility Hopefully Joash Papalii gets a start sometime. He’s a potential start. Would hate to see him move in to get an opportunity Only a trial and only against an under strength Storm team, but hopefully some signs that there will be a significant improvement from last year Or it’s ‘Fool me February Form’ that sparks false hope at this time of year :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Albo
Roar Rookie
How good was it to see some real sport back on the TV last night ! Sure it was only a trial match, but at least it was footy. The limited things I took from the game , were that the Storm played a reserve grade team plus Paps, whilst the Dogs started with many likely NRL starters for half a game and generally dominated. From there on , the Dogs showed off their up and coming young talent and the Storm showed they had limited depth if injury hits their big names ? Of the individuals it was great to see Paps full of confidence and contributing in his half of footy. Whilst it was a strong attacking game by Xerri in his comeback run. Although he still needs to get his defence sorted.