Round 16 vs. Melbourne Storm Discussion

[Big Pete]

Dolphins vs. Melbourne Storm
Suncorp Stadium, Friday 21 June 2024
Kick Off: 8:00pm

1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Kenny Bromwich 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath

14. Josh Kerr 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Tevita Pangai Junior

18. Oryn Keeley 19. Sean O'Sullivan 20. Mason Teague 21. Tesi Niu 22. Anthony Milford

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Sualauvi Faalogo 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

14. Jack Howarth 15. Christian Welch 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Joe Chan

18. Reimis Smith 19. Dean Ieremia 20. Lazarus Vaalepu 21. Chris Lewis 22. Kane Bradley​

 

[Big Pete]

It's a big test against the competition leaders. Both teams are down on Origin troops, but Melbourne will welcome back Papenhuyzen and Warbrick, while Bennett has upped the ante and brought in Pangai Jr. Tevita's form in the QCup has been up and down, but if Wayne can get him up for this game, it could prove a massive turning point in the season.

Hughes and Katoa have been in some serious form lately, so Isaiya, Aitken and Farnworth will need to work over-time. Hopefully they learned a lesson after last week when the Sharks nearly forced golden point after a defensive lapse down that edge.

 

[Big Pete]

Melbourne Storm 30 def. Dolphins 24 (Kenny Bromwich, Euan Aitken, Trai Fuller, Jamayne Isaako tries; Jamayne Isaako 3/5 goals)

8-6

The Dolphins refused to go away, but just fell short in a really entertaining back and forth clash. In the end, it was just that period either side of half-time that hurt the Dolphins, with Melbourne racking up three quick tries. Two off kicks and another from a defensive error with Kodi running up past the ball, allowing Hughes to put King through a yawning gap.

The Storm looked like they were going to rack up a score before Isaako flew through the air and proceeded to race 100m to bring the game alive.

The Dolphins had a couple of opportunities to level the scores, but were denied by last gasp defence. The closest they came was through Lemuelu who appeared to dislocate his shoulder while attempting to ground the ball. It was just that last attempt at tackle by the Storm cover defender that turtled Connelly and forced him to attempt to ground it at an awkward angle.

Connelly managed to stay on the field and it appeared there were a few troops walking wounded. Nikorima suffered a nasty gash, Kenny Bromwich had to come from the field with a concussion and Bostock only lasted a few moments. That reshuffle gave Melbourne a nice advantage and they took it with their wingers receiving plenty of good ball from their halves.

In the end, Melbourne proved why they're the competition leaders while the Dolphins wouldn't have lost any fans tonight in front of a solid 25,000+ at Suncorp.

 

[Howwy]

Melbourne Storm 30 def. Dolphins 24 (Kenny Bromwich, Euan Aitken, Trai Fuller, Jamayne Isaako tries; Jamayne Isaako 3/5 goals)

8-6

The Dolphins refused to go away, but just fell short in a really entertaining back and forth clash. In the end, it was just that period either side of half-time that hurt the Dolphins, with Melbourne racking up three quick tries. Two off kicks and another from a defensive error with Kodi running up past the ball, allowing Hughes to put King through a yawning gap.

The Storm looked like they were going to rack up a score before Isaako flew through the air and proceeded to race 100m to bring the game alive.

The Dolphins had a couple of opportunities to level the scores, but were denied by last gasp defence. The closest they came was through Lemuelu who appeared to dislocate his shoulder while attempting to ground the ball. It was just that last attempt at tackle by the Storm cover defender that turtled Connelly and forced him to attempt to ground it at an awkward angle.

Connelly managed to stay on the field and it appeared there were a few troops walking wounded. Nikorima suffered a nasty gash, Kenny Bromwich had to come from the field with a concussion and Bostock only lasted a few moments. That reshuffle gave Melbourne a nice advantage and they took it with their wingers receiving plenty of good ball from their halves.

In the end, Melbourne proved why they're the competition leaders while the Dolphins wouldn't have lost any fans tonight in front of a solid 25,000+ at Suncorp.

Yep, two principal themes from the match:

1. 'Phins refusal to go away - WB if nothing else seems to have developed a "sticky" competitiveness for his successor to build upon (don't fully understand why he's returning to - in my opinion - something of a RL backwater that should have been RIP'd back in 89/90).

2. Storm's capacity to absorb a hit and land a puch of their own, with a composure that's been a hallmark of Bellamy's tenure going back to '03 (even though I suspect that in the end he'll be remembered more for a rather cynical approach on the defensive side of the ball, more than all the titles).

Anyway, it seemed that Bellamy must have an awfully good record against Bennett, so I went and totted up his win/loss pattern, going back to 2003 (Bellamy's first year):

- from '03 up to and including the '06 GF, each had 5 wins against the other.

- but it seems something happened after that GF, because from that point to the present, the score now treads 26-5 in Bellamy's favor, with the current winning streak of 12 going back to the first match in 2017.

I wonder if that might be just getting to Wayne just a bit, even though his record and stature will be an order of magnitude more imposing than Craig's.

 

[Puff]

Yep, two principal themes from the match:

1. 'Phins refusal to go away - WB if nothing else seems to have developed a "sticky" competitiveness for his successor to build upon (don't fully understand why he's returning to - in my opinion - something of a RL backwater that should have been RIP'd back in 89/90).

2. Storm's capacity to absorb a hit and land a puch of their own, with a composure that's been a hallmark of Bellamy's tenure going back to '03 (even though I suspect that in the end he'll be remembered more for a rather cynical approach on the defensive side of the ball, more than all the titles).

Anyway, it seemed that Bellamy must have an awfully good record against Bennett, so I went and totted up his win/loss pattern, going back to 2003 (Bellamy's first year):

- from '03 up to and including the '06 GF, each had 5 wins against the other.

- but it seems something happened after that GF, because from that point to the present, the score now treads 26-5 in Bellamy's favor, with the current winning streak of 12 going back to the first match in 2017.

I wonder if that might be just getting to Wayne just a bit, even though his record and stature will be an order of magnitude more imposing than Craig's.

Yeah, I am going to be totally honest with you.

What won't be shown in the history books with that record. Is that Bellamy has spent most of his career in a financially doped up organization. One that was busted cheating and went on to benefit from that ill-gotten success.

For me there will always be a question, could he have done with with sides like St George.

I am not saying that Wayne hasn't had that financial leg up. But Wayne has gone to other sides and lifted them out of obscurity. St George comes to mind, probably the worst club financially in the league.

Do I think Wayne loses sleep over Bellamy, no. Do I think Wayne is the GOAT - hell yeah. Do I think Bellamy comes close? No, not for me.

And more importantly, and it's just an opinion, Do I think the players and Bellamy knew they were getting a leg up against the rules? I'll let you sit on that for a while.

 

[League guru]

Yeah, I am going to be totally honest with you.

What won't be shown in the history books with that record. Is that Bellamy has spent most of his career in a financially doped up organization. One that was busted cheating and went on to benefit from that ill-gotten success.

For me there will always be a question, could he have done with with sides like St George.

I am not saying that Wayne hasn't had that financial leg up. But Wayne has gone to other sides and lifted them out of obscurity. St George comes to mind, probably the worst club financially in the league.

Do I think Wayne loses sleep over Bellamy, no. Do I think Wayne is the GOAT - hell yeah. Do I think Bellamy comes close? No, not for me.

And more importantly, and it's just an opinion, Do I think the players and Bellamy knew they were getting a leg up against the rules? I'll let you sit on that for a while.

Gee, I am glad that it is only your opinion, none based on any facts.

 

[Puff]

Gee, I am glad that it is only your opinion, none based on any facts.

Thats not what the stripped titles will tell you.

The moment that defined the Melbourne Storm, 10 years on

It was an iconic photograph that made clear the Storm, while accepting the penalties, would fight their way back.

www.smh.com.au

As an organization they even call it the moment that defined them. Dude, they cheated, they knew it, and they used it as leverage/a springboard for success. I am not one for holding those morals up in poster boy like fashion.

However, that's my opinion, but like it or not, they cheated and for me that clouds any winning record.

 

[Howwy]

Yeah, I am going to be totally honest with you.

What won't be shown in the history books with that record. Is that Bellamy has spent most of his career in a financially doped up organization. One that was busted cheating and went on to benefit from that ill-gotten success.

For me there will always be a question, could he have done with with sides like St George.

I am not saying that Wayne hasn't had that financial leg up. But Wayne has gone to other sides and lifted them out of obscurity. St George comes to mind, probably the worst club financially in the league.

Do I think Wayne loses sleep over Bellamy, no. Do I think Wayne is the GOAT - hell yeah. Do I think Bellamy comes close? No, not for me.

And more importantly, and it's just an opinion, Do I think the players and Bellamy knew they were getting a leg up against the rules? I'll let you sit on that for a while.

<< Yeah, I am going to be totally honest with you. >>

Maybe it's my overactive imagination but that opener had the vague overtones of an irritable headmaster going to work on his most un-favorite dimwit ...


<< Do I think the players and Bellamy knew they were getting a leg up against the rules? >>

My guess is that most of the players - for whom RL is, for the moment at least, their big "ticket" in life for now and post-footy - likely didn't give it much thought at all as long as they got their wages, let alone being actively involved in that chicanery in any serious capacity. The more thoughtful guys, like Smith, Cronk and Slater ? I suppose they must have sniffed that there had to be something going on to accommodate All That Talent knowing full well what they were getting.

In the end the contract business surely had more to do with the Storm management (with some NRL wink-and-nudge ?), whatever Bellamy's level of participation. As far as I can see, Storm's original mission was the establishment of an RL beach-head in Melbourne: nearly 25 years on, how many home-grown locals have been developed to first-grade standard down there ?

 

[isaiah]

Thats not what the stripped titles will tell you.

The moment that defined the Melbourne Storm, 10 years on

It was an iconic photograph that made clear the Storm, while accepting the penalties, would fight their way back.

www.smh.com.au

As an organization they even call it the moment that defined them. Dude, they cheated, they knew it, and they used it as leverage/a springboard for success. I am not one for holding those morals up in poster boy like fashion.

However, that's my opinion, but like it or not, they cheated and for me that clouds any winning record.

Was it last year or the one before, when they played a home game against the eels, had a celebration about all their success and premierships. I don’t agree with Cronk, cam smith, and Billy using their high profiles to talk up storm players to this day. Own your cheating mistakes before you move on.

 

[Puff]

<< Yeah, I am going to be totally honest with you. >>

Maybe it's my overactive imagination but that opener had the vague overtones of an irritable headmaster going to work on his most un-favorite dimwit ...


<< Do I think the players and Bellamy knew they were getting a leg up against the rules? >>

My guess is that most of the players - for whom RL is, for the moment at least, their big "ticket" in life for now and post-footy - likely didn't give it much thought at all as long as they got their wages, let alone being actively involved in that chicanery in any serious capacity. The more thoughtful guys, like Smith, Cronk and Slater ? I suppose they must have sniffed that there had to be something going on to accommodate All That Talent knowing full well what they were getting.

In the end the contract business surely had more to do with the Storm management (with some NRL wink-and-nudge ?), whatever Bellamy's level of participation. As far as I can see, Storm's original mission was the establishment of an RL beach-head in Melbourne: nearly 25 years on, how many home-grown locals have been developed to first-grade standard down there ?

Bad students don't like hearing the truth from the headmaster.

"In the end the contract business......" excellent so they cheated, whatever the purpose. Nice that you know it, hence I don't recognize it.

In relation to home grown talent developed. WHO GIVES A F*&K, I am talking about Bellamey and his record and whether he is the GOAT or not. You could have managed a team 2 million over the cap to at least a 50%-win record. I don't care who committed the crime, the fact that you acknowledge that it might have been management doesn't make a difference. The fact the Bellamey operated with a 2-million-dollar advantage in an era where the cap was 10 mil (from memory please correct me if I am wrong), is cheating and financial doping. So, if its good enough to strip their titles, why do we then remember manager stats with great fondness. He isnt the goat, he operated under a cheating organization. And I find it hard to believe that a coach with such experience didn't know something was wrong when he was fielding 5 of the best players in the world in one squad, one of which surprisingly found a boat parked in his driveway.

Come on mate, start being serious.

 

[Puff]

At the end of the day, I can see we both agree they cheated.

I don't recognize achievements when it comes to cheats. Just like the Olympics, they are stripped and removed from history when it comes to drug use.

I get you may see it differently, and I can see that it's your prerogative to.

Financial doping in a salary capped sport, is like drug use in the Olympics for mine. All records should be wiped for mine. Others are a little softer in this regard, and you are able to see it differently.