The calm before we take on the Storm. I'm up bright and early, rising and shining as that exciting day we all yearn for each week arrives again. It's game day!! Tonight, we go up against the Melbourne Storm in what is a hugely important clash for our Season.
Everyone knows our history with the Storm. Our record against them is extremely poor. In fact, I think it's the worst record of any club against any other club in the NRL. The Storm have been around for about 25-odd years now, and we've only bet them six times. Yes, only six times!! That is just ridiculous, it really is. I don't know what it is about the purple pricks but we have just really struggled against them historically. It's a mindset thing now and the boys have to break that tonight as we aim to beat them for the second consecutive game for the first time in history. I'm really burning for a win tonight because I'd love to start squaring the ledger with the Storm a bit. It's going to take a long, long time to erase the poor record but tonight is a starting point. I'm sure that'll fire our lads up.
Melbourne have had a tough start to the year that's for sure. Smashed by injury and they've had a very depleted side for the first four Rounds. As a result, they've lost more games than they should have really, it's been quite surprising. They may be slightly down, but certainly not out. This is the Storm we're talking about here and they'll climb themselves out, they'll click and get things going. I have a feeling they may partially click tonight so we're going to be in for one hell of a game and we've got to be on. Munster and Grant are obviously their biggest threats so I'd like to see us really try and limit them but I think this game will be won through the middle and that's what JD has indicated yesterday too. We have an advantage in the forwards so it's up to us to work them over and make them work, particularly Harry Grant, I want to see us go after him. But all this is easier said than done. They're well-drilled and won't beat themselves so we have to be good enough to get on top.
For us, I know this is going to sound very cliche' but I really feel that our focus needs to be mostly on us and our game. Genuinely, I really believe that if we get our game right, stick to our processes, be disciplined with and without the ball, defend well, we are one of the toughest sides to beat in the NRL. I really do believe that. However, the boys haven't been doing that the past couple of weeks and that's what's been hurting us. We've been giving the opposition opportunities and throwing away ours. So that's the key tonight, to really tidy up our game and be clinical. Minimise the errors, focus, no silly leg-up penalties and we will put ourselves in a good position to win. The Storm might have a depleted side, but we still do as well, however, Hame returning is a huge inclusion! I want a big game out of Trell tonight. Cody did it last week, stepped up and hopefully played himself back into form, now it's Latrell's turn. He needs to deliver.
So, are Storm clouds on the horizon or is it clear skies ahead for our Bunnies. Only our boys can decide. I really feel that we can win this but I'm always nervous against the Storm. Big game in the context of our Season and we've really got to get the job done to set ourselves up nicely.
Game day! Let's goooooooo!!