StormFans.club

Sunday 11th Aug
4:05pm
Central Coast Stadium

1st vs 3rd. Should give a good indication as to where we are really at in this competition.

Rabbits will (very likely) be without Sam Burgess who is facing another ban, this time for a high shot on Moylan.

On one hand it bodes well for us that he is not there. On the other hand it is a shame that we can’t test ourselves against a full strength Rabbitohs team.

Also, as much as he brings to them, surely Burgess’ on field rubbish is wearing thin even with Souths fans.

Just checked Tino's stats for Falcons and he must simply come back for Welch. Wouldn't mind seeing Grant or even Eisenhuth for Croft (I can't help but think where there's smoke there's fire in regards to him being hooked) even though he has certainly played worse before and not been dropped. Just to get a look at a few others in the lead up to finals.

Lucas wrote: ↑Sun Aug 04, 2019 3:13 pm Just checked Tino's stats for Falcons and he must simply come back for Welch. Wouldn't mind seeing Grant or even Eisenhuth for Croft (I can't help but think where there's smoke there's fire in regards to him being hooked) even though he has certainly played worse before and not been dropped. Just to get a look at a few others in the lead up to finals.

I am thinking Tui for Welch and either Tino or Harry for Croft

Could explain why Harry was dropped from the falcons at the last minute ...unless he is actually injured

https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/ ... 1-preview/

Rabbitohs v Storm - Round 21 preview
NRL.com
Tue 6 Aug 2019

Craig Bellamy and Wayne Bennett renew their coaching battle although this is the first time they've faced off with Bennett sporting Rabbitohs colours.

And his South Sydney players will be anxious to get back into the winner's circle after the Sharks put six tries on them last weekend and they dropped from second to fourth on the ladder.

The neutral venue of Central Coast Stadium also means the favouritism tag for this round 21 game is a little more up in the air.

The Storm put seven tries on the Broncos last weekend and seem on top of the world at the moment as well as three wins clear of the opposition on the ladder.

The Rundown

Key match-up
If Damien Cook is drawing close to Cameron Smith as the code's best hooker, now is the perfect time to prove that. The Rabbitohs rake is a constant threat with his speed and vision but Smith's unparalleled game-management is sharp as ever.

For the Rabbitohs to win
Cutting down on the error rate - 14 against the Sharks - would be a good start. But so would be re-engaging with their second-phase play. The Sharks had 10 off-loads to South Sydney's six, that helped bring about Cronulla's seven line-breaks. Halves Adam Reynolds and Cody Walkers being more mischievous and ensuring better Rabbitohs go-forward will also make problems for Storm.

For the Storm to win
Keep on, keeping on is a familiar catch-cry for Melbourne these days. They lead the NRL in tries, possession, set completions, support play and line breaks, so both backs and forwards are doing their job. They will need to keep Reynolds and his boot under tight scrutiny - he's in the top-four in the NRL for his kicking game while Brodie Croft is outside the top-15.

Brett Kimmorley says
If Sam Burgess is out it will make things hard for the Rabbitohs. Guys like Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds need to get back to the form they showed at the start of the year. Melbourne will give you nothing, they will be really tough and in your face. It will be a good arm wrestle for a period of time but in the last few weeks Melbourne have just broken sides at the end of game when teams just haven’t been able to go with them. I expect the same thing to happen on Sunday. Storm by 10

Stat Attack
It's advisable for the playmaker from both sides to kick into touch as often as possible. Melbourne top the NRL for kick return metres (4252), while South Sydney are directly behind them with (3704).

And another thing ...
Bellamy is ahead of Cameron Smith in the number of games he's coached (440) compared with his skipper's 403 played. But Bennett takes the cake - this week is his 833rd game as an NRL head coach.

Storm team named:

1. Jahrome Hughes
2. Suliasi Vunivalu
3. Will Chambers
4. Justin Olam
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Cameron Munster
7. Brodie Croft
8. Jesse Bromwich
9. Cameron Smith
10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Kenneath Bromwich
13. Dale Finucane

14. Brandon Smith
15. Tui Kamikamica
16. Joe Stimson
17. Ryan Papenhuyzen

18. Solomone Kata
19. Max King
20. Tino Faasuamaleaui
21. Sandor Earl

Rabbitohs Team Named:

1. Adam Doueihi
2. Dane Gagai
3. James Roberts
4. Braidon Burns
5. Campbell Graham
6. Cody Walker
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Tevita Tatola
9. Damien Cook
10. Thomas Burgess
11. John Sutton
12. Sam Burgess
13. Cameron Murray

14. Liam Knight
15. Mark Nicholls
16. Ethan Lowe
17. Kyle Turner

18. Dean Britt
19. Corey Allan
20. Jaydn Su'A
21. Connor Tracey

Since there's been nothing on it I'm guessing Croft's spot in the team isn't under question and he was just injured. Real shame really cause there's not much else to talk about.

There's always S.Burgess a.k.a Sloth from the Goonies and his judiciary hearing.

And he got off so Sammy B is playing

sallymay wrote: ↑Wed Aug 07, 2019 3:07 am And he got off so Sammy B is playing

LOL

Different charges/circumstances but crazy how Burgess gets off from that tackle but we didn't fight Welch's charge on the Fifita flop.

Little whisper Croft is out ..not sure if it’s true

sallymay wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2019 8:49 pm Little whisper Croft is out ..not sure if it’s true

That is unfortunate for Souths.