'11 | Finals Wk 1 | Sun | Storm 18-8 Knights | AAMI

[Timmah]

Fourth Qualifying Final - 1st v 8th
Melbourne Storm v Newcastle Knights
Sunday 11 September 2011, kickoff 4:00pm; AAMI Park, Melbourne
Live TV: Channel 9 NSW/QLD; Live Radio: 2GB, ABC + Networks
Referees: Ashley Klein and Adam Devcich; Touch Judges: Jeff Younis and Adam Reid; Video Referee: Paul Simpkins and Phil Cooley

Storm: 1. Billy Slater 2. Matthew Duffie 3. Dane Nielsen 4. Beau Champion 5. Anthony Quinn 6. Maurice Blair 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Bryan Norrie 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Sika Manu 13. Todd Lowrie
Interchange: 14. Ryan Hinchcliffe 15. Rory Kostjasyn 16. Adam Woolnough 17. Jaiman Lowe 18. Troy Thompson 19. Sisa Waqa
Knights: 1. Kurt Gidley 2. James McManus 3. Junior Sa'u 4. Adam MacDougall 5. Akuila Uate 6. Ryan Stig 7. Jarrod Mullen 8. Evarn Tuimavave 9. Isaac De Gois 10. Antonio Kaufusi 11. Chris Houston 12. Neville Costigan 13. Joel Edwards
Interchange: 14. Steve Southern 15. Zane Tetavano 16. Richard Fa'aoso 17. Mark Taufua

Teams for all four grades - Finals Week One - http://leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=21948

 

[hitman82]

Knights by 8...

 

[Lowdown]

Last two Storm/Knights game in Melbourne saw Storm win by 30 points each time.

Therefore, Storm by 30 points. There's just something about this Storm team. I've never seen them this focused. Whilst Knights are dangerous, they've hardly set the world on fire this year. If you're relying on your outside winger to come up with the big plays, then fair enough. I'd much rather rely on people who touch the ball far more often. That's where the likes of Smith, Cronk and Slater come to the fore.

Loss of Widdop and Adam Blair will hurt. But Bobby Blair is a handy replacement and I dont think we'll lose too much there, now that Cronk's back and running the show. Don't be surprised to see Kostjasyn move to 5/8 and Blair start in the centres. Rory has been very impressive, and Storm will be keen to ensure Blair strengthens their right side defence.

 

[natheel]

Can't see anything but a storm win...will be close though knights will get alot of confidence from beating souths

 

[Matt23]

We'll be lucky to get within 20, unfortunately.

 

[jonno_knights]

Last two Storm/Knights game in Melbourne saw Storm win by 30 points each time.

Therefore, Storm by 30 points. There's just something about this Storm team. I've never seen them this focused. Whilst Knights are dangerous, they've hardly set the world on fire this year. If you're relying on your outside winger to come up with the big plays, then fair enough. I'd much rather rely on people who touch the ball far more often. That's where the likes of Smith, Cronk and Slater come to the fore.

Loss of Widdop and Adam Blair will hurt. But Bobby Blair is a handy replacement and I dont think we'll lose too much there, now that Cronk's back and running the show. Don't be surprised to see Kostjasyn move to 5/8 and Blair start in the centres. Rory has been very impressive, and Storm will be keen to ensure Blair strengthens their right side defence.

Knights were also within striking distance in both of those games mid-way through the second half, within a try or two (although being dominated). Something similar may happen again if the players dont fix their second half woes.

 

[azza18]

The storm will probably win, but i reckon it will be fairly close given that the storm have a few players out with injuries, suspensions and what-not. tbh i wouldn't mind seeing them lose a few more to injury after sunday

 

[Noname36]

Why am I getting the feeling that we could actually beat Melb? Surely not...

 

[Medievalknight]

Why am I getting the feeling that we could actually beat Melb? Surely not...

Do you believe in Santa Claus.................Surely not

 

[Jason Maher]

Newcatsle will win by a dodgy field goal in the 75th minute of Golden Point, after tonight's games go 1 each way (from a Dragons perspective)...

 

[Jobdog]

Newcatsle will win by a dodgy field goal in the 75th minute of Golden Point, after tonight's games go 1 each way (from a Dragons perspective)...

f**k, that's an epic game ...

 

[Medievalknight]

f**k, that's an epic game ...

And we will have to watch it on the box JD

 

[timka4]

A little nervous after seeing 5, 6, 7 getting beat. But we got this :shock:

 

[thommo4pm]

Come on Newcastle, you guys can do it.

 

[Medievalknight]

But we got this :shock:

THOSE words made another guy a laughing stock.......

 

[Charles Bronson]

knights by 1 over scumstorm

 

[timka4]

THOSE words made another guy a laughing stock.......

hahah too true, although he was one before hand anyway.

 

[kia ora storm]

Wet weather in Melbourne today....hope it turns into a forward battle.

Storm should win by 10 and Duffie will be first try scorer.

 

[Jason Maher]

Well courtesy of Manly and Brisbane winning last night, I don't have to cheer for the purple merkins as well. Come on Newcastle! Pull an upset from somewhere.

 

[kia ora storm]

Well courtesy of Manly and Brisbane winning last night, I don't have to cheer for the purple merkins as well. Come on Newcastle! Pull an upset from somewhere.

Dont worry...your season will end next week.