NRL 2012 Melbourne Storm Thread

[pantskyle]

Minor Premiers at least anyway.

We should have played in the GF last year. That shows that just one bad game can cost you.

 

[meltiger]

Nope. Tigers would have beaten them too. The semi was always going to be the real Prelim. If you recall, they didn't play well in week 1 either, just were lucky in that the team that finished 8th were rubbish.

They had issues in the pack last year that were exposed in the finals.

Have worked on that somewhat this year and are a much better chance.

 

[pantskyle]

Big call to make. Tigers couldn't beat the Warriors but would have beaten the Storm!!!

 

[meltiger]

Not a big call at all.

We were beating the Warriors, quite comfortably at that until we lost one if our starting props for the remainder of the game. Thanks to an insane mans bench selections, from that point on were steamrolled through the middle and in reality only lost because Benji ran on the last with 2 minutes to go rather than heave the ball downfield.

The Warriors then the following week came down and comfortably swatted aside the Storm. How we lost to Auckland was never going to happen against the Storm.

The Tigers, Warriors, Manly etc had nothing to fear from Melbourne last year.


The club has recognized the weakness they had though and with some improved form (more games under the belt) from those there last year, + an excellent signing in Ryles - They are much much improved in that department this season.

Melbourne will be tougher to beat this year, no question.

 

[pantskyle]

Agree to disagree then as I was more worried about playing the Warriors then the Tigers.

 

[meltiger]

Of course. You played us before Fifita was dumped and the team was playing crap.

You had massive problems in the pack last year. Coaches have recognized it - Signing Ryles & so forth.

 

[pantskyle]

Top of the table would suggest we were going alright. All teams have weaknesses that get addressed weekly.

 

[meltiger]

& your below par finals campaign would suggest i am right

Take a look at some of the threads from last year mate, was a discussion point all year.


All irrelevant to this year though. As I said, doubt anyone doesn't agree they are a different proposition this year.


Still. No one wins premierships bossing teams in May/June

 

[pantskyle]

Well I expected to be watching us in the GF last year. The way we went out has changed my opinion of us this year though. Anything can happen still.

Agree that we are more complete and a better side this year though.

 

[meltiger]

I think Anzac Day speaks for itself.

Compare last years results against Warriors to this year.

 

[pantskyle]

Will be a good game on Sunday that's for sure.

The Tigers game the following week, Do we have our origin players out?

 

[meltiger]

Yeah Storm will be missing big 3, Tigers Farah + potentially Woods.

Funnily enough, I'm fearing Woods getting picked more than Farah. I think we lose if he is out.

I wouldn't pick him but if they change track could potentially see Hinchcliffe handed a bench spot too.

 

[meltiger]

As for this week. Is Smith likely to be over his flu?

 

[pantskyle]

You would think so. Tigers should win the following week. Woods has been brilliant. More so for my supercoach team.

 

[damickytiges]

bit nervous about today's game ... warriors away is a danger game

 

[damickytiges]

poor start (0-10 down) but we responded well scoring the last 22 points ... happy with the win

 

[tugga]

Pretty good win with Manu, Norrie and Proctor out. Was always confident about this game. Warriors just aren't that good. 2 from 2 against Auckland this season and 5 from our last 7 at Mt Smart. If that's a hoodoo then I will take a hoodoo against every club.

 

[Underarm]

we've been saying it for weeks, but you have to play 80 minutes against the Storm. Too good.

 

[tigers_of_old_08]

What the feeling with the game against Manly in 2 weeks time? They have 5 losses to date date but are starting to click; a danger game for Storm?

 

[azza29]

What the feeling with the game against Manly in 2 weeks time? They have 5 losses to date date but are starting to click; a danger game for Storm?

Tough but winnable.

There are no gimmes this year. Ladder positions 3 through 12 are separated by two games, Manly will be desperate to win.

Storm are the better team, as long they keep focused for the full 80 minutes (or at least 60) they should win.

Still, sitting in first spot at 3 games and 120 match points ahead of the nearest competition, if they lose it's not the end of the world.

 

[meltiger]

Manly are a funny one.


It's hard to pick that result as both are going to have players backing up off SOO if it's in two weeks time.


Tigers down on Friday night. Storm 13+

 

[moto748]

Yes, I think the Storm are too good for Manly. The Warriors had some chances against them, but their execution wasn't good enough.

 

[meltiger]

It's at Brookvale not AAMI. That changes things a bit.

 

[Fire Storm]

Billy Slater. What else can you say? He's the Stephen Silvagni of the NRL.

 

[damickytiges]

I have noticed that there are a lot of Richmond supporters on here ... do you think this has anything to do with us being starved of success for such a long time?