Match Discussion: Round 1 vs Canterbury @ McDonald Jones Stadium

[Walk On Home Boy]

Hunt with a supposed hamstring injury.

 

[Silent Knight]

I think we're stuck with Mann at 5/8 as a stop gap until Blake Green returns from injury. I would have been tempted to go with Crossland at 5/8 but I can understand that O'Brien would prefer if Phoenix continued to hone his skills in reserve grade at this stage of his career, instead of throwing him in the deep end of round 1. Mann is fairly limited as we know, but at least he has solid FG experience and can handle the occasion.

The main thing is we need Pearce to fire on his own (yeah I can hear you all scoff) because I don't know how much support he's going to get from Mann and Hoy. Green and Ponga on the other hand sounds a whole lot better. If we can win ugly until those two return, I'll be happy.

Just get early ball to Bradman ffs. It's not hard.

 

[PhilGould]

Unlikely he would've been picked anyway but Crossland has been fined and suspended for 1 game due to an off-field incident

 

[Haffa]

 

[mozza91]

It’s very Daily Telegraph of the Herald to report a player incident that happened in November a couple of days out from Round 1.

 

[Yosh]

No playmaker in the team there. Where will our creativity come from? Will we use Bradman Best like a prop forward again? Will there be any meaningful second phase play? Will Mann or Watson have a successful pass? Will we get a repeat set?

Anyways... Looks like a solid team that won't concede many points but I don't know where our points will come from either...

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

1. Tex Hoy
2. Starford To'a
3. Enari Tuala
4. Bradman Best
5. Gehamat Shibasaki
6. Kurt Mann
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. David Klemmer
9. Jayden Brailey (C)
10. Daniel Saifiti (C)
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Mitch Barnett
13. Connor Watson

14. Sauaso Sue
15. Jacob Saifiti
16. Josh King
17. Brodie Jones

18. Hymel Hunt
19. Pasami Saulo
20. Jack Johns
21. Simi Sagagi

Shibasaki over Hymel the only big surprise

Pretty much as expected except for the bench.
It was certain Mann would be at 6 and Watson at lock.
Interesting that Jack Johns gets in on the extended bench.

 

[Jono078]

This is going to be a tough game. That Bulldog back line is very strong individually, hopefully they haven’t learnt to play as a team yet.
Tuala and Shibs need solid performances to keep their places.

otherwise all as expected. Excited to see what Brailey and Watson bring to the table again! Calling it now one of them will be man of the match.

 

[Zoidberg]

Not sure if I’m confident, but I am excited to get the season going.

 

[Knight76]

I can see this being a slugfest. Our pack is stronger and should dominate.

But the platform the forwards lay, how do we exploit it? Pearce can't seem to get a decent attacking kick in to save his life, I hope this has changed this year, no creative player to chime in for Pearce. Mann can do something occasionally but few and far between. Watson can be elusive and make a break etc, but overall very little strike power in that side.

Just hope we get out to a quick lead and stick with it, if we get 10-0 behind early it could be all over.

 

[mongoose]

Random but Bellemy started his Storm career with 3 back to back first round knock outs at the finals. I think I'll be okay with our team finishing 5-8th this year again. Am I the only one?

Week 1 of the finals?

2003 - Storm beat Raiders 30-18
2004 - Storm beat Broncos 31-14
2005 - Storm beat Broncos 24-18

 

[Yosh]

Week 1 of the finals?

2003 - Storm beat Raiders 30-18
2004 - Storm beat Broncos 31-14
2005 - Storm beat Broncos 24-18

Eh... I remember it being first round but it was 3 semis in a row... Well off I go then

 

[God-King Dean]

Hope you lose by 50 ya bread chucking merkins

 

[AusKnightRKO]

Hope you lose by 50 ya bread chucking merkins

Bread Chucking... Geez that’s a tad weak, bit like Staffords Career in Detroit.

 

[God-King Dean]

Bread Chucking... Geez that’s a tad weak, bit like Staffords Career in Detroit.

I'll fkn kill you

 

[slotmachine]

Win lose or draw, at least I don't have to watch Sione.

 

[Jono078]

Who’ll be our goal kicker?

Barney?

 

[slotmachine]

Yep

 

[Silent Knight]

Hope you lose by 50 ya bread chucking merkins

Good on ya Mum, tip top's the one.

 

[Burns]

Sigh, here we go!