2016 Wk 3 Prelim - Storm 14-12 Raiders @ AAMI Park

[Walt Flanigan]

Disagree, you's should have at least made the GF.

Is that what you thought at the start of the season?

 

[thorson1987]

That's right. This year was never supposed to be "the year" and I would have been happy just getting to the finals. Finishing 2nd and making our first Prelim since 1995 is a massive achievement for us and the boys gained some invaluable experience.

1997 you mean.

 

[Pete Cash]

I reckon you's blew a premiership, you's come into the finals on the back of 10 straight wins against a depleted Sharks team at home 12-0 up and we seen last night Cowboys were like busted ass so they beat the Sharks there in the GF.

The team with no finals experience had trouble winning the big moments ? Wowsers

Only 3 teams iirc have won the premiership the year after not making the 8

 

[The_Shield]

Nah it started with B. White guy. He was doing well. Better than Lee anyway. Lees usually ok though, just tonight of all nights

Brenko Lee?

 

[STORM.99/07]

So the 2 games we played against the Raiders they played their best game and the worst one.

Unlucky they weren't the other way around though.

faders beating us 6 weeks ago did us a favour. We were ready for them this time

 

[Dave_]

Now we spend a week debating whether cap cheats or drug cheats are worse

Cheating the cap doesn't always win comps, just ask the Broncos

 

[Walt Flanigan]

1997 you mean.

I don't really count Super League

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

Brenko Lee?

Thats the one. Lol his last name happens to be Lee. He played good in his games. Solid player

 

[GAZF]

I don't disagree with you, but what also concerned me/concerns me about the Raiders pack up against finals teams is that the really good teams will find a way to tire them relatively quickly and start rolling through them. They looked to be under pressure at about the 35th minute - halftime couldn't come quick enough - and then Melbourne started making 50-60 metres a set from about the 55th minute. You can't keep letting a team like that do that to you and it really showed when one their biggest metre eaters in Leilua went down.

From a neutral supporter's perspective, I think they would do well to sign a forward who is a bit more mobile, regularly cracks the 100 metre mark, and ideally someone who has a different body shape to the rest of the pack. To me they all look to be quite similar in size and shape. Paul Green said not long ago one of the biggest benefits of his pack is that it makes teams think a lot more about how to defend against their side, whether that be taking down a tall timber like Tamou to knocking Taumalolo on his arse. Even looking at recent grand final winners they've all had packs that are of varying shapes and sizes - Melbourne included.

Tapine is pretty rangy for a prop at the moment and you'd definitely consider Bateman to be more mobile. We've also carried Priest who is a smaller prop though I prefer Vaughan in the team due to footwork. Give them time I say. Need a defensive leader on the field when Soliola is off, our line speed is so much better when he's on.

 

[Apey]

Doesn't matter got paid.

 

[This Year?]

I'm absolutely shattered for the Raiders. They were within a bees dick of doing the unthinkable. The few chances they had were blown with a few brainsnaps.

That was an amazing game with so much feeling between two very quality sides, befitting of a preliminary final

The Storm are such a great side and their qualities showed through tonight. Nerves of steel. Enjoy the grand final.

 

[thorson1987]

I don't really count Super League

Fair enough

 

[Spade]

The team with no finals experience had trouble winning the big moments ? Wowsers

Only 3 teams iirc have won the premiership the year after not making the 8

The Big Moments

- Lee drops a sitter with the line open to make it 18-0 v Cronulla

- Baptiste fails to spread the ball for a certain try after a break and goes himself and is tackled on the 5th, would have made it 20-12 with time on there side.

- Lee drops a sitter with the line open to make it 10-14, with 9 minutes left and Storm looking shaky, they end up losing by 2.

All pretty dumb shit.

 

[no name]

Thats the one. Lol his last name happens to be Lee. He played good in his games. Solid player

It's his cousin, derp.

 

[STORM.99/07]

COOPER CRONK is a CHAMPION..Donates his MOM prizemoney to a childrens charity

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

It's his cousin, derp.

Lol

 

[Hutty1986]

[/url]via Imgflip Meme Generator[/IMG]

 

[Pete Cash]

Haha hutty that got a genuine laugh out of me

 

[Apey]

Baptiste is Waddle levels of slow.

 

[GAZF]

I'm absolutely shattered for the Raiders. They were within a bees dick of doing the unthinkable. The few chances they had were blown with a few brainsnaps.

That was an amazing game with so much feeling between two very quality sides, befitting of a preliminary final

The Storm are such a great side and their qualities showed through tonight. Nerves of steel. Enjoy the grand final.

The upside of following a team who has long struggled under expectation is that you don't get too surprised when the team fails to deliver under expectation. Hopefully this experience sparks the beginning of the Raiders delivering.