Storm
24
Match Complete
Wests Tigers
22
| W. Chambers |  | 77 | ||
| C. Smith |  | 71 | ||
| M. Seve | | 69 | ||
| 56 | | E. Marsters | ||
| 55 | | E. Marsters | ||
| C. Smith | | 53 | ||
| F. Kaufusi | | 52 | ||
| 42 | | L. Brooks | ||
| 34 | | E. Marsters | ||
| 33 | | J. Aloiai | ||
| C. Smith | | 29 | ||
| R. Papenhuyzen | | 27 | ||
| 25 |  | E. Marsters | ||
| 18 | | E. Marsters | ||
| C. Smith | | 16 | ||
| 7 | | E. Marsters |
| 4 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 3 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Melbourne Storm continue their push towards the top of the ladder when they take on a Wests Tigers outfit desperate to prove themselves a genuine title threat. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 7:50pm (AEST).
Come fulltime on Thursday night, Tigers fans may be left wondering if Ryan Papenhuzyen was the one that got away.
This was already a feeling many had at Concord when the Balmain junior departed for the Storm at the end of 2017. But for those who didn’t, the 20-year old made his presence known last week against Parramatta with a blistering display at fullback.
A short-term injury to regular number one Jahrome Hughes gifts Papenhuyzen with another chance to impress while Marion Seve also comes in for Curtis Scott, who will likely miss the rest of the year with a foot injury.
After belting Parramatta 64-10, the challenge for Craig Bellamy’s men will be to try replicate the same intensity on Thursday night.
They were issued a challenge to deliver from Bellamy a fortnight ago. They did that and more in the 54-point win.
Now they need to build on that victory.
They won’t have it all their way though against a rejuvenated Tigers side. Wests took full advantage of a poor Penrith outfit, running in five tries in the opening 17 minutes of the game.
They welcome Josh Aloiai this week, with debutant Oliver Clark dropping off the interchange.
Having been humbled by the Roosters 42-12 two weeks ago, the focus will be on proving themselves against a genuine contender, even if it comes in the form of a close defeat.
Prediction
If Melbourne play to their potential they won’t give Wests a sniff.
Storm by 12.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 7:50pm (AEST).
Kick-off: 7:50pm (AEDT)
Venue: AAMI Park
TV: Live, Channel Nine, Fox League
Online: 9Now, Foxtel Go, Foxtel Now
Betting: Storm $1.21, Tigers $4.30
Referee: Adam Gee, Gavin Badger
Storm
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Marion Seve 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Brodie Croft 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane 14. Brandon Smith 15. Christian Welch 16. Tui Kamikamica 21. Sandor Earl 18. Billy Walters 19. Joe Stimson
Tigers
1. Moses Mbye 2. Mahe Fonua 3. Robert Jennings 4. Esan Marsters 5. Corey Thompson 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Ben Matulino 9. Robbie Farah 10. Alex Twal 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Chris McQueen 13. Matt Eisenhuth 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Josh Aloiai 17. Michael Chee-Kam 18. Paul Momirovski 19. Elijah Taylor
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Another time I'd like to see my team take the 2 is when we are behind by 8 points , especially in the last 5 or 10 minutes. Might not be every ones cup of tea but that late try which still means you lose is pretty frustrating. I think the penalty which is 50% of the value of a try is a bit undervalued.
Emcie
Roar Guru
I think the players overruled the coach on that one too. I was surprised they didn't take the 2, you need every point you can get with the storm.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The Tigers opted not to take a penalty goal to take it out to a 10 point lead. Typically the commentators bang on about a 10 point lead as if it's no different to an 8 point lead but they seemed to have eased up a bit on this nonsense.
Neel
Roar Guru
Storm steal it in the end. They just know how to seize those important moments in the game.
Insider
Roar Rookie
I’m related to Yosemite Sam, we hate rabbits, yeah little green pill
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
My comment is about the game clock still running when there's no ball in play, it had nothing to do with what players do with it and absolutely nothing to do with Souths at all, why do you keep mentioning them?
Insider
Roar Rookie
When you have the ball it’s go slow, when you don’t it’s tackle and lay all over the play just like Souths do
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
No, I was watching Nine, but it's not a tv thing, it's a rules of the game thing...
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
...what?
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Well done to the Storm for hanging in that match. Not for the first time this year they were getting yanked by the officiating but they kept their cool and played the 80 minutes when other teams might have spat the dummy.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Yeah 10 penalties not enough
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Were you watching Fox? For games on Ch9 the clock on tv is linked to the official clock. On those games A guy at Fox is at the whim of trying to watch and listen to the referee and they are not always in shot when they wave time off so it is hard to tell. For Fox exclusive games they used to be connected to the official clock but they have changed this year and I think they are still going free style and a person not at the ground is trying to manage the graphic
Insider
Roar Rookie
They all do it, On the flip side the defence gives away penalties just like Souths have in all of their tight games
Pickett
Guest
Is Papenhuysen a Saffa? Sounds Afrikaans.
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
I wouldn't want league to become as bad as the NFL but we really need to tighten up the game clock. Can't stand watching it tick down while a team just stands there and can't do anything to stop it. Smithy was in a huddle, he wasn't even lining up that last kick and the clock kept ticking. If the game isn't being played, the clock shouldn't be running. It annoys me every time...
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Take every win you can get mate. The Storm were always going to feel like they were running in mud in gumboots after that amazing effort last week. So hard for teams to back that effort up the following week. The Tigers came to play tonight. Their fans can be proud of that effort. Those last two attacking raids should have yielded them points. Full credit to the Storm defence though. Job well done.
R N
Roar Rookie
I don't think he had control when it first hit the ground! Mind you I can't be trusted... Hate the purple!
Chris
Roar Pro
Sure Tigers looked better but their defense couldn't match their attack. Kaufusi and Chambers' tries were relatively soft and a bit of luck fell the Storm's way. Good return to form from the Tigers.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I can't believe they won that. Tigers were very good in this game but the Storm found a way in the end. Boy have the Storm come back to reality after last week. I am really happy though with the form of Papenhuyzen. I would like him to keep the fullback spot next week because he is just one of those players that defenders hate to see in front of them. Hughes is a solid fullback no doubt but Paps has that x-factor that is just essential in a team.
Sean Andrew Ticehurst
Guest
How is it cruel? I'm a Tigers supporter and that last 12 minutes was abysmal from then. Trying to defend a lead instead of attacking against Melbourne? You kidding me? What a joke. That Farah pass to matters knock on was where we lost it.