Storm
50
Match Complete
Wests Tigers
22
| C. Smith |  | 77 | ||
| T. Fa'asuamaleaui |  | 76 | ||
| C. Smith | | 73 | ||
| C. Smith | | 71 | ||
| C. Smith | | 60 | ||
| J. Olam | | 58 | ||
| 56 | | A. Doueihi | ||
| 55 | | A. Doueihi | ||
| 52 | | A. Doueihi | ||
| 51 | | A. Kepaoa | ||
| J. Addo-Carr | | 38 | ||
| C. Smith | | 33 | ||
| J. Hughes | | 32 | ||
| C. Smith | | 28 | ||
| S. Vunivalu | | 26 | ||
| 24 | | A. Doueihi | ||
| 23 | | J. Aloiai | ||
| N. Hynes | | 19 | ||
| 16 | | A. Kepaoa | ||
| C. Smith | | 10 | ||
| J. Addo-Carr | | 8 | ||
| C. Smith | | 6 | ||
| S. Vunivalu | | 4 |
| 9 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 7 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Melbourne Storm will look continue their march into the finals while Wests Tigers will be playing for some pride at Sunshine Coast Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30pm (AEST).
The Storm kept on trucking last Sunday with a fairly easy win against the struggling Cowboys, a win this afternoon would mean they sew up secind spot with one round to play, and a home final in the first week of the finals series. The Tigers saw their faint finals hope evaporate last weekend in a narrow loss to Souths but played some good footy, they will be looking to finish their season on a high, starting with a win over the Storm.
The last three matches between these two sides have been surprisingly close, considering where both have been placed on the ladder at times. Melbourne got away with one last year against the Tigers at AAMI Park after trailing for most of the match, scoring a try at the death to win the game. In 2018, the Tigers actually beat the Storm twice. While they aren’t exactly a bogey team for the Storm, the Tigers have aimed up in recent times against them, and tend to make it a close-run thing.
Prediction
There will be some points scored in this one. The Tigers are now free from some pressure and Benji Marshall will be motivated to leave the club on a high. Joey Leilua and Josh Reynolds add some spark and aggression to a side that always seems to push the Storm. The Storm felt the loss of Ryan Papenhuyzen last week in defence, and will have to be better in that department this week.
Playing at their new home on the Sunshine Coast, and with more to play for, you can’t go away from the Storm, but it will be closer than many are predicting.
Storm by 8
Game information
Kick-off: 5:30pm (AEST)
Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium
TV: Fox Sports
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, NRL Live Pass
Odds: Storm $1.12, Tigers $6.50
Teams
Storm
1. Nicho Hynes, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Brenko Lee, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Christian Welch, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenneath Bromwich, 13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Bench/Reserves: 14. Ryley Jacks, 15. Tino Faasuamaleaui, 16. Tom Eisenhuth, 17. Tui Kamikamica, 18. Brandon Smith, 19. Isaac Lumelume, 20. Max King, 21. Paul Momirovski
Tigers
1. Adam Doueihi, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Joseph Leilua, 4. Chris Lawrence, 5. Asu Kepaoa, 6. Josh Reynolds, 7. Benji Marshall, 8. Josh Aloiai, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Thomas Mikaele, 11. Sam McIntyre, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Alex Twal
Bench/Reserves: 14. Zane Musgrove, 15. Matthew Eisenhuth, 16. Russell Packer, 17. Luke Garner, 18. Tommy Talau, 19. Michael Chee-Kam, 20. Jock Madden, 21. Jacob Liddle
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Good call Jack. Thank you.
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
That's all from me tonight. Hope you enjoyed the blog and enjoy the rest of the week of footy as we build towards the finals.
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
I agree.
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
Hope you enjoyed it :thumbup:
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
I thought I saw a smile there when he was flipping Smith off. Seething underneath at the team though I'd say
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I think Storm basically played it easy. They are a real chance.
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
They look like a team that is struggling to stay focused when they do it so easily when they have to. When they are in the real arm wrestle come finals they will find something and I doubt have such lapses in defence. The Panthers and Storm in the box-seat now, knowing they can rest players and prepare for the first week of finals.
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
Well it was fast and furious with tries coming at a frenetic pace in that one. The Storm never looked in trouble of losing but they were guilty of some uncharacteristic errors and defence that saw the Tigers score 4 tries and with a sniff for portions of the game. 50 points was good for the Storm, but Bellamy will be displeased with the 22 scored against them, similar to their game against the Cowboys last week. The win means 2 "home" finals for the Storm, most likely at Suncorp Stadium and they are always a challenge come finals time. They had to do some reshuffling with Vunivalu leaving the field early in the second half with a hamstring injury. They will welcome the return of Ryan Papenhuyzen, who has maybe been missed more in defence than attack. Both Smiths were strong for the Storm tonight, Brandon obviously confident in his return. Cameron with a bizzare try celebration, but pulling the strings as ever. They scored on both sides and through the middle and their attack doesn't look to be an issue. The Tigers were gallant at times, but overall never truly in the contest. They looked good in attack but built no pressure and came up with some errors at the worst possible times. Marshall looked their most dangerous in attack and they have some work to do to replace him in that department. The Storm play the final round of the regular season next week. Bellamy will focus on defence this week ahead of the finals, and could toy with resting players knowing they will finish second. The Tigers take on the Eels, and based on tonight could give them a run for their money if they get the opportunity.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Convincing win for Melbourne against a bottom eight side, the scoreline a true indication of the game. If Melbourne slip back to second gear like they did tonight against a top four side a belting is on. Bellamy will be happy with the two points but will stew over the soft tries conceded. From the top four sides I'm now hoping for a Penrith/Melbourne GF but if Melbourne don't lift their game it won't happen.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
What a crazy, out of control, 2nd half that was! The make-shift team defended better than than the full team that ran out to start the game. On paper looks like a strong win - we'll need to make huge improvements if we hope to challenge for the premiership.
Shed Bloke
Roar Rookie
Never happy.
Shed Bloke
Roar Rookie
Thanks for all that.
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
Thoughts on that one Roarers? Will Bellamy be happy with the Storm after that one?
Watda
Guest
Cam Smith should retire today....roosters fan here
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Storm 50 Tigers 22
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
80' The Tigers shift and then put the kick in but the Storm get it and will have one final play. Hynes has had enough and boots it out to end the game. The Storm win. Storm 50 Tigers 22
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
80' Brandon Smith attempting to strip it knocks on, and the Tigers get the scrum with 30 seconds left. Storm 50 Tigers 22
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
79' The Tigers try to go short but this one doesn't come off and the Storm get the scrum. They kick on play one for Addo-Carr but Nofoaluma was back there. The Tigers tackled on there own line. Storm 50 Tigers 22
77
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
78' Conversion Successful - Cameron Smith Smith noticing that Nofoaluma was hampered on his wing and able to get back to field his kick for Tino to score. He slots the conversion to bring up the half century. Storm 50 Tigers 22