Melbourne Storm
18
Match Complete
Sydney Roosters
13
| N. Meaney |  | 79 | ||
| W. Warbrick |  | 78 | ||
| 71 |  | S. Walker | ||
| 67 | | S. Walker | ||
| 65 | | L. Collins | ||
| N. Meaney |  | 58 | ||
| 34 | | S. Walker | ||
| 33 | | B. Smith | ||
| M. Seve | | 25 | ||
| N. Meaney | | 17 | ||
| T. Wishart | | 7 |
| 3 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 1 |
The second week of the finals starts tonight when the Melbourne Storm take on the Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park in Melbourne. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEST).
We’re down to six teams and the stakes can’t be any bigger. It’s sudden death from here on, with the winner earning a spot in the preliminary final against the Panthers.
Melbourne were completed dominated by the Broncos 26-0 last weekend. Jahrome Hughes looked underdone and he and Cameron Munster struggled to create anything to threaten the Brisbane defence. Hughes is now out with a calf problem.
In summary, the Broncos pack dominated and rolled through the middle, with Adam Reynolds then being pinpoint perfect with his kicking game. It pretty much confirmed Brisbane’s premiership credentials whilst putting a question mark on the Storm’s.
In team changes, Xavier Coates hasn’t recovered from his ankle injury in time and Reimis Smith comes in on the wing. Young Tonumaipea is also injured and is replaced by Justin Olam. With Ryan Papenhuyzen sidelined, Alec MacDonald moves onto the bench.
The Sydney Roosters defied the odds last weekend with a 13-12 win against the Sharks. Losing James Tedesco to the sin bin, and Joseph Suaalii and Joey Manu to injury, the Roosters showed tremendous grit to win.
Some of the lesser lights shone, with Tyrell May and Siua Wong having fantastic games in trying circumstances. They will need all that and more against a Storm team that will be desperate to bounce back.
The Roosters backline has been decimated with Manu, Suaalii and Billy Smith all missing. Paul Momirovski and Corey Allan come in as centres and Jaxson Paulo will play on the wing.
Prediction
The Roosters were brave against the Sharks but Cronulla did miss some opportunities to take the game.
The Storm were poor last weekend but Craig Bellamy will have them primed.
I can’t see Melbourne losing 2 finals in a row. In front of a big home crowd, they will end the Roosters season. Storm by 10
Game information
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 7:50pm (AEST)
TV: Nine, Fox Sports
Streaming: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Storm $1.40 Roosters $3 – odds via PlayUp
Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Reimis Smith 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 21. Tyran Wishart 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Alec MacDonald 15. Tom Eisenhuth 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Tariq Sims 18. Grant Anderson 19. Bronson Garlick 20. Tepai Moeroa 22. Sua Faalogo
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Fetalaiga Pauga 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Corey Allan 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Fletcher Baker 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Siua Wong 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Sandon Smith 15. Egan Butcher 16. Terrell May 17. Angus Crichton 18. Drew Hutchison 19. Naufahu Whyte 20. Zach Dockar-Clay 21. Jake Turpin 22. Nathan Brown
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
It's 50/50 on the leap but the odds drop to 70 / 30 against if you give them a free catch. They have options then. Catch and take on defender Catch and pass Easy tap back. Wingers are now taught to contest . It's the right call.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
"Death Star" :laughing: :laughing: Cheers
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
He hasn't had as good a year as AKP or especially Turuva as wingers imo. Turuva is in a class of his own .
mushi
Roar Guru
That's kind but not true :stoked: You're a bit wobbly at the moment but did enough through the year to deserve being in the final 4. Good luck vs the death star next week.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Which mistake? Not binning Radley for several high shots? Ignoring Harry being ironed out in front of the posts with 2 to go? Admitting an error and apologising to a team captain on the run?
Poss
Roar Rookie
That it can GB :thumbup:
Poss
Roar Rookie
Thanks David great as usual.. :thumbup:
Ian
Roar Rookie
The referee never allowed the Roosters in the game in the first 30 minutes. The NRL refereeing is the poorest I’ve seen in any professional sport. It seems to me that some of the refs are going into games with preconceived ideas.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Hey Oz 1) agree 2) uncertainty. Warbrick got there anyway and no guarantee you stop him once he's got the pill. If there's no contest it's a whole different dynamic, he could catch and pass for instance. Cheers
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Sorry mushi I stuffed up a comment, your guys were great and if they won they deserved it. Cheers
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Immensely proud Papi. We were Klowned.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
As a non-RL fan, I watched the last 10 minutes of that game. Tough loss for the Roosters to take. Two thoughts: 1) how could a TMO not give a penalty for the shot on the Melbourne halfback? 2) why wouldn't the Easts winger stay on the ground and tackle the Storm guy when he caught the ball, rather than go into a 50:50 leap and risk what actually happened? Presumably that's how they're coached.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Thankyou David. It was your usual, strong call. Was caught up in the moment as the game finished, so forgot to type.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
I have to disagree, Munny was definitely up for it tonight and the only criticism I can level at him was he tried too hard sometimes. Yeah, Will grabbed the pill but you can't give credit to the bloke who kicked it? Ok. I agree, Will should have been interviewed, apart from THAT try he had a great game.
Luke S
Roar Rookie
And they still lost :)
watty
Roar Rookie
Congrats Storm. Proud of my Roosters, were given no chance but took it right to the end. Expect them to be much better next year
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Cheers David, thanks for the call!
Andy F
Roar Rookie
They scored 13 peanut
Tom G
Roar Rookie
His mistake?? I think you need to use the plural in his case
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
:laughing: "Chemtrails"