Match Discussion: Round 18 vs Melbourne @ AAMI Park

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2021 - Round 18
Melbourne Storm v Newcastle Knights
AAMI Park, Melbourne (TICKETS)
Saturday 17 July 2021

NRL kickoff 7:35pm

1. Nicholas Hynes 2. George Jennings 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Brandon Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Aaron Booth 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Chris Lewis 17. Aaron Pene 18. Isaac Lumelume 19. Dean Ieremia 20. Cooper Johns 21. Trent Loiero

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Kurt Mann 4. Enari Tuala 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Mitchell Barnett
Interchange: 14. Connor Watson 15. David Klemmer 16. Josh King 17. Brodie Jones 18. Jack Johns 19. Simi Sasagi 20. Tex Hoy 21. Jirah Momoisea

Referees: Chris Sutton
Sideline Officials: Jon Stone, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Video Referees: Alan Shortall

QLD Cup Country Week - Storm feeder clubs
SC FALCONS v Tweed at Murgon, Sat 2:10pm
BRISBANE v Capras at Gladstone, Sun 2:10pm

No NSW Cup game for Newcastle this weekend.​

 

[PhilGould]

So now the preparation for playing the Storm in Melbourne includes the entire squad relocating interstate mid-week. Not ideal.

 

[mozza91]

So now the preparation for playing the Storm in Melbourne includes the entire squad relocating interstate mid-week. Not ideal.

We’ve got an excuse now. We’d of put out 50 on them if the game had gone ahead as planned.

 

[PhilGould]

The club should apply to travel straight to Melbourne and set up camp there instead. Would mean 1 less club in SEQ fighting over the same training facilities and grounds. No cases in Newcastle anyway so would be low risk for the Victorian government.

Wishful thinking.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Everything to play for here. Melb due for a loss.

Storm by 40

 

[Jono078]

Really excited for this game. We need to have a real good crack, if Melbourne win by 40 that could ruin the season and any confidence the guys have of making a run.

Hoping Ponga can back up for this one or it could be really ugly.

Gut is telling me Storm win this 38-22.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Storm by 30. We haven’t beaten them in years and the form line tells you that isn’t likely to change.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Us to defy all odds and win 20-18

 

[PhilGould]

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Dom Young
3. Kurt Mann
4. Enari Tuala
5. Hymel Hunt
6. Jake Clifford
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Jacob Saifiti
9. Jayden Brailey (C)
10. Daniel Saifiti (C)
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
13. Mitch Barnett

14. Connor Watson
15. David Klemmer
16. Josh King
17. Brodie Jones

18. Jack Johns
19. Simi Sasagi
20. Tex Hoy
21. Jirah Momoisea

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Dom Young
3. Kurt Mann
4. Enari Tuala
5. Hymel Hunt
6. Jake Clifford
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Jacob Saifiti
9. Jayden Brailey (C)
10. Daniel Saifiti (C)
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
13. Mitch Barnett

14. Connor Watson
15. David Klemmer
16. Josh King
17. Brodie Jones

18. Jack Johns
19. Simi Sasagi
20. Tex Hoy
21. Jirah Momoisea

Strong team. Add Best and it's the best we can field.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Dom Young
3. Kurt Mann
4. Enari Tuala
5. Hymel Hunt
6. Jake Clifford
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Jacob Saifiti
9. Jayden Brailey (C)
10. Daniel Saifiti (C)
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
13. Mitch Barnett

14. Connor Watson
15. David Klemmer
16. Josh King
17. Brodie Jones

18. Jack Johns
19. Simi Sasagi
20. Tex Hoy
21. Jirah Momoisea

Dat forward pack and bench

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Bellamy has named a 6 man extended bench.. Might be looking to rest a couple of Origin stars

 

[PhilGould]

DSaf and Ponga would both be decent chances of missing it. Bench looks a lot weaker with Johns or Momoisea on it, and Hoy or Mann are the backup fullback options.

 

[Old dog]

Thinking Watson covers Ponga, Johns in at 14.
must be confident of Dan as would have expected Sue in extended bench.

 

[PhilGould]

Didn't even notice Sue was missing, must be injured

 

[Jono078]

No idea where Sue is. He's been the Hymel Hunt of the forwards for us.

So it's a Best and Lee away from 100%. I think we give up on Lee for the year? Doubt he's even going to Qld.. Would be interesting to see who travelled to be honest.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Sue is injured

 

[Old dog]

Sue is injured

Is that confirmed or guess work, nothing said prior to selection. If Dan don’t play we are light on cover.

 

[Frederick]

Thinking Watson covers Ponga, Johns in at 14.
must be confident of Dan as would have expected Sue in extended bench.

I've been trying to work out who was missing since I read the team list 4 hours ago

 

[Mr_Knightside]

This is the sort of game where we should just cut our losses and rest anyone who’s carrying an injury. I also wouldn’t want Ponga to back up because in the past he’s usually injured himself when backing up after Origin.

We’re not even close to the storm and their second string side without their origin players still should beat us comfortably so I would rather the coaching staff treat this as a game as an opportunity to keep our stars on the park long term. The run home is more important than a game that we have about a 10% chance of winning.