Roosters vs Storm Pre-game Discussion

[PeeGee]

We have slacked off when we have a handy lead i.e. Rabbidohs, but even then last saturday storm arguably slacked off against the eels as well. We now have a full side bar Jared, and with the prize being the grand final and a chance to salute Cronk off with a premiership I think we won't run out of gas...hopefully

Yep, you’re right. I think both teams went into defence focus mode

[The Skeez]

The Storms have been clocking off in the second half as much as ya this year. They gave up an 18-0 lead for the first time against Canberra in the regular season.

The start is crucial.
Early points, make them chase. Like the 2018 GF

[The Marshall]

Just on the middle 3rd battle, the experts keep on harping on about the absence of JWH and the form of Nelson Muntz; but what about a comparison of benches?

With Welch out I feel as though Bellyache has conceded that he basically only has two props of note. Kamikamica goes alright but he hardly strikes fear into you. And Max King has been filling a bench spot and not much more.

In contrast we'll have Butcher and Crichton playing big minutes in the middle third I suspect. Both are guns and have been in great form. We may even start with Tetevano too which means we'll have Liu on the bench as well.

Which ever way Robbo goes we clearly have a lot more bench artillery than Melbourne. And over the course of the 80 minutes I think our greater depth in quality and pack mentality - with everyone fresh and aiming up to replace Jared - will more than match the Storm.

And from there our backs will torch them. I just think Teddy is close to the best big game player I've seen and I predict that he'll do to the Storm what he did to Qld.

This is exactly the point Tommy. I think we will beat them reasonably comfortably. If we don’t, it is not because JWH is out it is because we were not good enough.

[The Brain]

Ive said all year only injuries and suspensions can beat us we are a very good side.
So we go into the game minus 1 player and a couple of slightly wounded.
I believe we should rise to the occasion.
Have proven to be a thorn iMelbournes ass.
Errors will be the key keep em down and strangle the pricks..
Great Kicking game required.
This game is really the Grand Final its the two best teams in the comp ......Look to 2003 and 2004 what it can do to you for example in 2003 in Rooster circles they knew the game against Canterberry was played like a GF -real Hard Yakka ...many in the know had said that the chooks wouldnt be up to it against penriff..I didnt believe it at the time.
BUT.. our modern day coach can manage them through this Im sure of it.
Im looking for a big game from Tetevano ..he just might be the difference...well it would help.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

We need to put on a first half like we did against Souths, and the GF last year. I just can't see Melbourne going with us, we are better than last year, they aren't.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

I was thinking based on his proportions that he’s a replacement for Jared only, and that if any other Middle was out it’d be Sitili or The Farmer who’d come in.

I reckon Lindsay is in better nick of those three lads at the moment.

But Sitili was probably the best player on the field in the Bears final game, Busted a gut in attack and defence, then fatigue set in later and missed some tackles. Be interesting to see what Robbo does.

[eddie]

I watched the last storm game but cant agree with the hype about their form. Parra were no opposition at all.

[Bansai Pipeline]

Ive said all year only injuries and suspensions can beat us we are a very good side.
So we go into the game minus 1 player and a couple of slightly wounded.
I believe we should rise to the occasion.
Have proven to be a thorn iMelbournes ass.
Errors will be the key keep em down and strangle the pricks..
Great Kicking game required.
This game is really the Grand Final its the two best teams in the comp ......Look to 2003 and 2004 what it can do to you for example in 2003 in Rooster circles they knew the game against Canterberry was played like a GF -real Hard Yakka ...many in the know had said that the chooks wouldnt be up to it against penriff..I didnt believe it at the time.
BUT.. our modern day coach can manage them through this Im sure of it.
Im looking for a big game from Tetevano ..he just might be the difference...well it would help.

Yeah, this is a dangerous situation.

We manage to win this and it won't be easy to get up again in a week's time. It's happened to many a team before. Its almost a cliche.

I'm hopeful and optimistic but I can't agree with the blind faith many on here have that the Storm are ordinary and the GF against either Souths or the Raiders will be a walk in the park.

The Storm dropped what, 2 games all year?

The Raiders are relentlessly physical.

[The Skeez]

I don’t think Tetevano is going bad, he is a toiler.
Expect him to fill the void and take on Bromwich & Nelson

[chopstiks]

I’m completely over all this talk of JWH. It’s been so overdone already and it’s only Monday.

Obviously we’d rather have him there but our real strength this year is the backline. Keary, Tedesco, Latrell, Manu etc, one of the best club back lines of all time. They’re not going to just stop playing because JWH isn’t there.

Robbo has the wood on Bellamy these days too. I think we will crush them, bring it on.

I know.

what is the win loss farking ratio rate with Jared out, Keary in with Cronk, Sutton reffing, Obrien and Fitzy coaching, Teddy and Latrell and Victor playing in their favoured positions, with red hot Manu Morris Toops and an international forward pack, at the SCG, in a preliminary final, and a chance to go you know what, and everybodys eaten their weeties for breakfast, That would be nice to know , Please crunch the numbers data nerds.

[PeeGee]

I know.

what is the win loss farking ratio rate with Jared out, Keary in with Cronk, Sutton reffing, Obrien and Fitzy coaching, Teddy and Latrell and Victor playing in their favoured positions, with red hot Manu Morris Toops and an international forward pack, at the SCG, in a preliminary final, and a chance to go you know what, and everybodys eaten their weeties for breakfast, That would be nice to know , Please crunch the numbers data nerds.

Great post

Many seemingly smart people are comparing cherries with watermelons. Look at the facts people.

[Salvatori Grubber]

I reckon Lindsay is in better nick of those three lads at the moment.

But Sitili was probably the best player on the field in the Bears final game, Busted a gut in attack and defence, then fatigue set in later and missed some tackles. Be interesting to see what Robbo does.

He’s a good ‘un, no doubt.

Was Taylor playing him as a middle? What sort of minutes was he playing?

[Jacks Fur Coat]

He’s a good ‘un, no doubt.

Was Taylor playing him as a middle? What sort of minutes was he playing?

Yeah he was a middle man. Ended up playing around 50 minutes at least I think. I'm surprised how quick he is for a big guy, ran down opposition backs a couple of times.

[QWERTY]

Melbourne Storm are apparently now training on an oval ground usually used by Collingwood

[Headless Chook]

Yeah he was a middle man. Ended up playing around 50 minutes at least I think. I'm surprised how quick he is for a big guy, ran down opposition backs a couple of times.

Are you talking about Sitili or Lindsay?