NRL 2012 Melbourne Storm Thread

[CooperCronk]

Brilliant performance from the boys today.

A good all round performance by everyone in the team with Coops winning MOM.

Hoffman had a good game and he looks like he's finally settling down to the rigours of nrl after a slow start.

It looks like the Storm are seriously looking to put a deadline on his contract offer and I don't blame them, they need to plan for the future if he decides to move.

My heart will be broken if he decides to go

 

[TNBT]

For a team that is sitting at the top of the table, there sure seem to be quite a few questions (at least for me).

Regarding the lineup, this is what most people that I have spoken to seem to be going with:

Forward pack - Bromwich and Norrie as the props with Smith at hooker. Hoffman and Manu on the second row, and Lowrie at lock.

Halves - Widdop at F/E and Cronk at halfback.

Backs - This is where the disagreements are. Obviously Slater is the full-back, which leaves four spots (two wings and two centres) which people seem to have some combination of Nielsen, Duffie, Quinn, Blair, O'Neill and Chambers.


Can someone tell me which of those 6 you would start at the 4 spots? Also, while I know a bit about some of the big name guys, there are a lot of guys who I don't know much or anything about, so I would very much appreciate it if someone (or multiple people would be great) could give me a bit of a profile on each player on the roster? Just a brief bit about their strengths/weaknesses, playing style, potential, likely future, where they fit into the team, etc. That would be EXTREMELY appreciated.


Also, it seems that there are reports that if Cronk leaves, we will be going after Kieran Foran from Manly. As someone who lives in an AFL state and doesn't know a huge amount about the game, let alone players from teams other than the Storm, can someone give me a bit of a report on this guy? How does he compare to Cronk? What similarities/differences do they have? From what I can gather, he is a young kid who would certainly be around longer than Cronk (due to age) and has a lot of talent, but I don't know much else.

 

[Aucklander]

My heart will be broken if he decides to go

Hehe

You'll be looking for a new username, CC?

I reckon the big plus is, the Titans position which could keep him here. I hope so as that gives the Warriors a better chance of getting Foran.

 

[Aucklander]

Also, it seems that there are reports that if Cronk leaves, we will be going after Kieran Foran from Manly. As someone who lives in an AFL state and doesn't know a huge amount about the game, let alone players from teams other than the Storm, can someone give me a bit of a report on this guy? How does he compare to Cronk? What similarities/differences do they have? From what I can gather, he is a young kid who would certainly be around longer than Cronk (due to age) and has a lot of talent, but I don't know much else.

Very good player. New Zealand rep who reads the game very well. Not sure he's a halfback though. Would improve even more in the Storm set up (don't they all?)

Would be a great pick up.

 

[pantskyle]

Yeah I think we will find out soon (this week) what Cooper is going to do. I think the way he dodged the question yesterday from Hindmarsh indicates to me that he is going.

I would be surprised if we didn't promote from within. Upgrade some contracts. Get Manu re-signed.

Plan for Inglis to come back

 

[storm fan]

If he goes we look to Luke Kelly, Ben Hampton and Matt McGahan

 

[meltiger]

Melbourne would be silly to bring GI back.

Money is better spent elsewhere.

If they did sign Foran, could they go the two 5/8s model?

 

[tugga]

Melbourne would be silly to bring GI back.

Money is better spent elsewhere.

If they did sign Foran, could they go the two 5/8s model?

Agree on GI. It was a wonderful chapter in the book, but it's finished. Let it go.

 

[pantskyle]

If he wanted to come back we would welcome him with wide open arms.

 

[meltiger]

& it's alot, alot of money better spent elsewhere.


Regardless of how good GI is

 

[pantskyle]

Of course. He would demand around the 700k mark easily. All I'm saying that things were in place that he went away for two years and looked at coming back.

He is quoted as saying he wouldn't be against returning after his contract ends.

When he becomes available I dare say an offer will be made. I think we would only offer around the 500k mark though.

 

[meltiger]

If you can get his salary under the cap, then of course. I have no shame in admitting my man love for GI and his ability.


BUT it's a question of team balance. & trying to keep them all is what led Waldron and his cronies down the bad road.

 

[pantskyle]

The funny thing is we likely could have kept the big 4 anyway under the cap as they would have signed either way. Oh well that's in the past.

 

[year of the roo]

I'm pretty sure Matt King and Dallas Johnson said upon leaving the Storm that they would love to come back, never play against the Storm, etc. Crocker and Newton even made similar noises IIRC. Inglis won't play for us again and nor should he. I'd rather spend that money elsewhere, we have some really exciting backs atm, we don't need him.

 

[The_Wookie]

Cameron Smith on AFL 360 last night

[youtube]7EAVRM6Vffg[/youtube]

 

[azza29]

Cronk is holding a press conference at 10:30am tomorrow. Bad sign. If he was going to re-sign with the Storm they would have just issued a press release.

 

[red+black]

Yeah, you'd have to think he's gone.

 

[pantskyle]

Yep goneski.

Oh and source?

Edit: Here's the source http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news-display/Media-Opportunity/49797

As discussed above this is really only going to mean he is going. He has requested it not us. Why wait, just announce that your leaving. Bit unfair to the fans.

 

[the 5th wiggle]

Yeah, you'd have to think he's gone.

at least we should be able to sign the young blokes we want to keep now with a bit of room to move.

 

[azza29]

at least we should be able to sign the young blokes we want to keep now with a bit of room to move.

And Bellamy has a good record of keeping the team going strong even when talented players depart.

 

[pantskyle]

I dunno. I know in my head that he is gone but yeah quite annoyed.

It will make the rest of the competition happier to know that our Big 4 has been reduced to 2 now.

I honestly though Coop was Storm through and through. I can't hate him for taking such an amazing offer.

Sad times at the Storm. Hopefully we can get a premiership this year.

I may lose my shit if Manu goes.

It would be friggin amazing if we nabbed a awesome player from another team.

 

[pantskyle]

I am hearing whispers that it may not be the Titans but another club.

It's weird that the club is not even saying anything. If he was leaving why would they stay quiet!!!!

I dunno that's the only hope I have.

 

[tugga]

Word is it's the Dragons.
He's 28, it's his last big contract, he has given plenty to the Storm so it would not surprise me one bit to see him go.
On one hand, if he was staying, you would think the club would announce it immediately.
If he is leaving, he probably wants to do it 'properly' and announce it himself and stare down the cameras and tell it like it is.
I think he's gone.

 

[pantskyle]

Dragons was the team I was referring too.

The Storm have admitted that he hasn't accepted there 4 year offer. Pretty basic now.

 

[tugga]

I think they have been resigned to losing him for a while. Why else would they be chasing Foran? With Coops leaving, there will be money in the cap and I have we can attract some decent talent.