Storm
6
Match Complete
Raiders
22
| 79 |  | J. Tapine | ||
| 36 |  | J. Croker | ||
| 34 | | C. Nicoll-Klokstad | ||
| C. Smith | | 31 | ||
| D. Finucane | | 29 | ||
| 14 | | J. Croker | ||
| 13 | | N. Cotric | ||
| 5 | | J. Croker | ||
| 3 | | J. Rapana |
| 1 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The long-awaited return of the NRL continues tonight with the battle of some premiership heavyweights, the Melbourne Storm and the Canberra Raiders, at AAMI Park. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:35pm (AEST).
These two teams were expected to feature again in 2020, so it’s no surprise that both are undefeated after two rounds. Of course, though, with such a long break, it’s questionable as to how much early form helps us pick winners this round.
The Storm have certainly started the season well, with wins over the Sea Eagles and the Sharks. The Sharks win was perhaps a little lucky, with some late mistakes from the Sharks allowing the Storm to overcome a deficit.
The Storm are at close to full strength, welcoming back Christian Welch and Brandon Smith, both starting from the bench. Any team that can start Brandon Smith on the bench has a strong roster.
Cameron Smith will be hoping that his big forward pack can get enough go forward to create opportunities for the likes of Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes.
The Raiders have also started the season well with comfortable wins against the Titans and Warriors. They haven’t really been tested so far so we’ll get some indication as to where they stand tonight.
The Raiders have one notable omission with John Bateman sidelined. Jordan Rapana has been named on the reserves list and could yet take his place in the 17. Curtis Scott lines up against his old club.
While Bateman will be missed, Josh Hodgson will lead an underrated forward pack while Jack Wighton seems to improve each week.
This Raiders side didn’t make the grand final by accident in 2019 and will be thereabouts again this year.
Prediction
Craig Bellamy has certainly got a knack of starting the season well. In six of the last eight seasons, the Storm have won their first three matches.
At AAMI Park on a cold Melbourne night, I expect them to do it again.
Storm by four.
Game information
When: 7:35pm (AEST)
Where: AAMI Park
TV: Fox League
Online: Kayo, NRL Live
Betting: Melbourne Storm $1.62, Canberra Raiders $2.30
Melbourne Storm
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Justin Olam, 4. Marion Seve, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenneath Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 16. Christian Welch, 17. Max King.
Canberra Raiders
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Nick Cotric, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. Joseph Tapine, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Corey Horsburgh. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Iosia Soliola, 17. Michael Oldfield.
MadgicSH
Roar Rookie
Nothing wrong with it in country NSW!
MadgicSH
Roar Rookie
Rapana scored for the Storm???? WOW! ????????????????
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Great post Geoff.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Very exciting times for the Raiders Geoff. Williams was great and he is only three games in. Hodgeson is a star.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Magnificent defence by the Raiders in that second half after a sparkling first half. George Williams could be the missing piece of the puzzle. Two beautifully set up tries, Storm were uncharacteristically ordinary at times with dropped balls and were almost panicking at times in the second half as they were forced to push for points - summed up by the kick and chase of Nelson Asofa-Solomona on the second or third tackle. Even Smith looked flustered at times. Great team performance by the Raiders but special mentions to Hodgson, G Williams, Tapine, Rapana and Croker. So good to have Jordan Rapana back. His work rate is amazing. And John Bateman didn't play. Bateman has some serious thinking to do. Do you give this up in preference for the big bucks?
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Its games in Qld they will have to worry about. No problems in NSW, ACT and VIC
Chris Love
Roar Guru
So what happened with the 3 raiders players that were refusing flu shots? Were they given exemptions?
Tom G
Roar Rookie
They were top notch tonight no argument. If they can keep that form all season they are specials
Butch
Guest
The 2 referees must come back again - so many decisions went to the Storm in the second half thru ref missing knock-ons or stripped ball etc but they were trailling so in a sense nothing new. Still couldn't get a close result
David Holden
Roar Guru
Hope you all enjoyed the coverage tonight. It's great having footy back
David Holden
Roar Guru
I know we are only part way through the first round back from isolation, but I think we may have just seen the 2020 premiership winnets play. Canberra were that good.
David Holden
Roar Guru
FT, We've seen some strong performances this weekend but the Raiders might just be the best. With their pack of hard working forwards, Hodgson, Wighton and Williams all had special games tonight. Perhaps, more importantly, their defence was first class and the Storm simply ran out of ideas tonight. The Storm will no doubt be thereabouts at the end of the season but the increased pace of the game has definitely had an impact on them. Craig Bellamy will need to make adjustments to the Storm game.
King in the north
Roar Rookie
Congratulations Raiders. Weird they play Storm again in just 6 weeks! A week before the GF rematch against the Chooks without their lucky charms.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Another wonderful effort from the Raiders. God I enjoyed that. Thanks for that David.
David Holden
Roar Guru
FT' Papalii's kick is a shocker but the Canberra Raiders have beaten the Melbourne Storm 22-6 Storm 6 Raiders 22
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Best game of the round so far.. almost flawless raiders performance
79
David Holden
Roar Guru
79' TRY RAIDERS Safety first from the Raiders this set. Rapana makes some yards from dummy half. Brilliant. Williams runs it on the last. Scott's kick is taken by Cotric who kicks into the in goal. Tapine has scored. TRY Storm 6 Raiders 22
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Don't you love a frustrated Melbourne. ? Nothin better.
David Holden
Roar Guru
78' Munster bends the line. Seve with a long break down the right. Great play from the Storm but Vunivalu is bundled into touch Storm 6 Raiders 18