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Aspiring sports journalist. NRL, Cricket, NBA fan. Brisbane Broncos tragic. "Real, serious, lifelong fulfilment and meaning have to be earned through the choosing and managing of our struggles" - Mark Manson
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The Canterbury Bulldogs will be out to turn around a sluggish start and get back into the winner’s circle when they face the Sydney…
Match result: The St George Illawarra Dragons find themselves with a 4-0 record after taking a comfortable win against Newcastle on Sunday. Final score…
Match result: The Wests Tigers have recorded another big upset in Round 2 with a win over the Melbourne Storm, and spoiled Billy Slater's…
Strap yourselves in, the upsets are coming. Two words. March Madness. There is something about the month of March that brings out the best…
The Gold Coast Titans have shown resilience in overcoming a fast start from the Canberra Raiders, coming back in the second half from 18…
Match result: The Gold Coast Titans have shown resilience in overcoming a fast start from the Canberra Raiders, coming back in the second half…
The Brisbane Broncos have not hoisted the premiership trophy in 12 years - their longest stint ever - so why should 2018 be any…
Match result: The South Sydney Rabbitohs have completed a 3-0 sweep for NRL clubs in the World Club series with a ten-point win over…
Match result: The St George Illawarra Dragons have opened 2018 with a victory against an English powerhouse in Hull FC. Albert Kelly looked dangerous…
Snubbed. Robbed. Overlooked. Three words you wouldn't expect to be associated with Philadelphia 76ers number 25 in his much-hyped rookie season, but for the…
Some interesting stats with Widdop scoring in each of his past 5 at WIN Stadium. Nathan Ross has scored in 4 of his past 5 against the Knights.
Big game coming up!
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights: NRL live scores, blog
Happy Easter everyone!
Welcome to Easter Sunday football with what promises to be a highly entertaining afternoon with the Dragons vs Knights followed by Broncos vs Titans. Can the Dragons go 4-0 to start the season or will Newcastle spoil their hot start to the year?
Teams are as follows:
Dragons:
1 Matthew Dufty
2 Nene Macdonald
3 Euan Aitken
4 Tim Lafai
5 Jason Nightingale
6 Gareth Widdop (c)
7 Ben Hunt
8 James Graham
9 Cameron McInnes
10 Paul Vaughan
11 Tyson Frizell
12 Tariq Sims
13 Jack De Belin
Interchange:
14 Luciano Leilua
15 Kurt Mann
16 Leeson Ah Mau
18 Jeremy Latimore
Players cut: 17 Hame Sele 19 Zachary Lomax 20 Jacob Host 21 Blake Lawrie
Late Mail: Hame Sele is replaced on the bench by Jeremy Latimore.
Knights:
1 Kalyn Ponga
2 Shaun Kenny-Dowall
3 Sione Mata’utia
4 Tautau Moga
5 Nathan Ross
6 Brock Lamb
7 Mitchell Pearce (c)
8 Herman Ese’ese
9 Slade Griffin
10 Jacob Lillyman
11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
12 Aidan Guerra
17 Daniel Saifiti
Interchange:
13 Mitchell Barnett
14 Jamie Buhrer (c)
15 Chris Heighington
16 Jacob Saifiti
Players cut: 18 Ken Sio 19 Jack Cogger 20 Danny Levi 21 Luke Yates
Late Mail: Daniel Saifiti moves into the starting side at lock with Mitch Barnett shifting to the bench. Aidan Guerra (cork) has been cleared.
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights: NRL live scores, blog
Game Summary
Full time at AAMI Park. The Wests Tigers have secured their second upset in two weeks with a victory over the Melbourne Storm. Melbourne Storm don’t lose milestone games, yet were not able to taste success in Billy Slater’s 300th game. The Tigers have my Broncos next week for their first game of the season at home. The Broncos are in for a hell of a game, that’s for sure, with the Tigers coming off two eye-openers.
A game filled with whistles, the Tigers gave away a mammoth 18 penalties to the Storm, whom conceded only 8, highlighting just how lopsided possession was in favour of Melbourne.
It was a very uncharacteristic performance from the Storm, riddled with errors. Brodie Croft would rather forget this game, but young halves must learn the hard way in order to come of age. Storm looked lost in attack with the inclusion of Slater still trying to gel with those around him to start the season. Munster looked much more damaging in his role at fullback last week. It will be interesting to see how they bounce back, which they will – it is the Melbourne Storm after all.
Standout performances from the likes of Benji Marshall, Corey Thompson, Luke Brooks and new captain Russell Packer, paved the way for Ivan Cleary and his side to start the year two from two. Marshall looks like a new player, eager to forge the finishing touches on his career at the Wests Tigers on nothing but a positive note. Packer is a player that every NRL side should look to have in their team. Everyone has a past, we get that with the particular focus on Matt Lodge, it is how you look in the mirror and turn your life around that will define you and your legacy.
Much will be written about this game and the Tigers and how they ‘spoiled’ Melbourne’s celebrations for one of their prodigal sons, yet the season is still in its opening with some teams still yet to wake up. Champion teams have off days too and whether this Tigers team can withstand the test of time, is only something that we will have to wait and see.
I don’t know about you, but it is exciting to see the premiership so wide open this year. With so much player movement, big upsets over the first two rounds and teams starting to click together, yes I’m talking about the Warriors, we can be excited about the NRL this year.
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers: NRL live scores and blog
To win this game without Reynolds and Lolohea on the field, is a credit to Cleary and Benji and how he has taken this team under his wing.
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers: NRL live scores and blog
Full Time
80‘ – For just the second time ever in Melbourne, the Tigers have won in Melbourne.
Storm: 8
Tigers: 10
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers: NRL live scores and blog
This has to be one of the upsets of the year.
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers: NRL live scores and blog
79‘ – Conversion unsuccessful. Big minute!
Storm: 8
Tigers: 10
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers: NRL live scores and blog
Try
78‘ – Luke Brooks seals the deal for the Tigers you would think for their first try of the night.
Storm: 8
Tigers: 10
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers: NRL live scores and blog
In for a cracker 3 minutes. Strap yourselves in
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers: NRL live scores and blog
Tigers get the ball back off the kick off. Opportunity to build pressure back off the Storm.
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers: NRL live scores and blog
Penalty Goal
73‘ – Smith converts the penalty goal.
Storm: 8
Tigers: 6
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers: NRL live scores and blog
Sums up the game really, 9-1 penalty count to Melbourne in only the second half.
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers: NRL live scores and blog
Are we watching the same game? The referees are blowing penalty after penalty after penalty for Melbourne. Can’t do much in attack without the ball. Second half penalty count is 9-1 to Melbourne.
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers: NRL live scores and blog
Penalty Goal
69‘ – Smith converts the penalty goal.
Storm: 6
Tigers: 6
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers: NRL live scores and blog
Nothing going the Tigers way at the moment. Storm with a penalty close to the sticks.
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers: NRL live scores and blog
66‘ – Smith hooks it. Tigers remain in the lead.
Kevin Naiqama to return to the field after his HIA assessment.
Storm: 4
Tigers: 6
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers: NRL live scores and blog
Try
65‘ – And just like that with the Tigers reduced to 12, Vunivalu crosses in the corner for the Storm. Tough, tough calls against the Tigers.
Storm: 4
Tigers: 6
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers: NRL live scores and blog
Massive turning point, Ben Mautalino sent to the Sin Bin. Tigers reduced to 12.
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers: NRL live scores and blog
Whistles galore tonight…doesn’t make for great viewing.
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers: NRL live scores and blog
Penalty Goal
55‘ – Marsters converts again. Tigers lead 6-0.
Storm: 0
Tigers: 6
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers: NRL live scores and blog
Penalty
54‘ – Tigers with a penalty right in front of the sticks and unlike Melbourne, won’t waste time taking a further two. Melbourne crowd don’t like it, but let’s be honest I love seeing these Tigers put on a show in front of these guys with such a lopsided penalty count.
Storm: 0
Tigers: 4
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers: NRL live scores and blog
54‘ – Kevin Naiqama comes off for a HIA, dissapointing for the Tigers because the Fijian captain looks electric.
Storm: 0
Tigers: 4
Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers: NRL live scores and blog
Kick Off! We are underway with the Dragons kicking off to the Knights to start the game.
DRAGONS: 0
KNIGHTS: 0
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights: NRL live scores, blog