Round 25 vs. Melbourne Storm Discussion

[Big Pete]

Melbourne Storm vs. Dolphins
AAMI Park, Saturday 24 August 2024
Kick Off: 5:30pm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Tyran Wishart 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero

14. Sualauvi Faalogo 15. Lazarus Vaalepu 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Alec MacDonald

18. Marion Seve 19. Kane Bradley 20. Dean Ieremia 21. Chris Lewis 22. Christian Welch

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Max Plath 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich

14. Oryn Keeley 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Sean O'Sullivan

18. Mason Teague 19. Tesi Niu 20. Trai Fuller 21. Kurt Donoghoe 22. Josh Kerr​

 

[Big Pete]

The Dolphins will be fighting for their season when they take on the competition leader's. Melbourne are coming off a heavyweight tussle against the Panthers where they were able to assert themselves as the team to beat in 2024, whereas the Dolphins fought bravely against a red-hot Bulldogs side.

The last time these two teams met it was a thriller at Suncorp. That was without key players, but the Dolphins have the talent to cause a boil-over, they'll just have to be at their best and take their chances when they're on offer.

Mark Nicholls returns after undergoing concussion protocols. He was sorely missed against the Bulldogs and will be a key figure against his former club.

 

[Big Pete]

Melbourne Storm 48 def. Dolphins 6 (Jake Averillo try; Jamayne Isaako goal)

10-12

There were some positive signs early, but once Nikorima suffered that concussion it was always going to be difficult. That moment completely changed the complexion of the game as the Storm took full advantage of the injury to score their opening try. Meanwhile O'Sullivan failed to make the same impact Kodi was on the field and Melbourne got on too big of a roll.

There were a couple of telling moments early. One was when Kodi put Kaufusi threw a gap with some lovely bit of halfback play. With Hamiso looming, Kaufusi failed to sum the situation up and a golden chance went begging. Then in the lead up to the Fa'alogo try, the Dolphins failed to find touch when they should have been on the attack. Instead the Dolphins lost both Jesse Bromwich and Kodi Nikorima through concussion, Melbourne exploited the advantage got a roll on, that resulted in Kaufusi going to the sin-bin and just snowballed from there.

It's still a relatively young team and with Tabuai-Fidow, Katoa and Plath calling the shots they're just lacking the attention to detail that their opposites provided. The pack works hard but without Flegler, Gilbert and Pangai Jr they're missing that physicality and intensity that just makes life so much easier for the backs and playmakers.