Round 3 - Storm vs Raiders

Discussion on anything to do with Melbourne Storm - games, players, rumours - anything!
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yourhero
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The first two weeks of the updated 2020 draw have been revealed. We will take on the Raiders in round 3 and Souffs in round 4.

The rest of the draw will be revealed next week.
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yourhero
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Venues for games are yet to be confirmed apparently :lol: but will be across QLD and NSW.
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yourhero
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https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/ ... truggling/

Storm v Raiders: Momirovski in mix; Bateman struggling
NRL.com
Fri 15 May 2020

Two of the NRL's premiership contenders will have plenty to play for when they line up in round three.

Canberra were impressive in knocking over the Titans and the Warriors to start the season and will be close to full strength after the two-month break due to the competition shutdown.

Melbourne got off to their annual good start with a win over Manly, followed by a tight victory over Cronulla. The Storm have relocated to Melbourne after a short stint in Albury.

The Rundown
7.35pm Saturday, May 30: Storm v Raiders. Broadcast on Fox League.

Team news
Storm: Coach Craig Bellamy will have a decision to make around his centre options with the arrival of Paul Momirovski. The make-up of the bench could also change with Christian Welch due back from an ACL injury.

Raiders: Canberra are hopeful of John Bateman overcoming a shoulder injury after surgery in February but the English forward said he was doubtful over whether he will be right to go. Even if he is not right for May 23, his imminent return is a huge advantage for the 2019 grand finalists ahead of a likely shortened season. Suspended forward Hudson Young appears the only player in the senior squad to be disadvantaged by the competition's hiatus with his round six return meaning he still has an extra three weeks on the sidelines.
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yourhero
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Based on Craig's words earlier today, I expect Olam and Seve to retain the centre positions in round 3, with Momirovski having to bide his time.

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https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/ ... s-bellamy/

But Craig did have a chat with new recruit, former Wests Tigers centre Paul Momirovski, who has been swapped with Storm hooker Harry Grant for the rest of the year so both clubs can plug holes.

Bellamy lost Will Chambers (rugby) and Curtis Scott (Raiders) but Justin Olam and Marion Seve seem to be producing the right goods.
Bellamy wrote:It's really hard for Paul at the moment. Our first two games were away and we won both of them. Justin and Marion played well. So they're training in our centres at the moment – we'll see what happens in the next couple of weeks.

"I had a chat with him the other day. He understands the situation."
riders of the storm
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14. Brandon Smith, 15. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 17. Christian Welch.

You'd have an incredibly hard time convincing me that's not the best bench in the competition.
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Not convinced of Tino over King
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yourhero
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Mattpoet wrote: Tue May 19, 2020 12:12 pm Not convinced of Tino over King
That would be my only question mark as well.

Bellamy does like to carry a backrower on the bench though as coverage. Matter of fact, I can't remember the last time we carried three props and a utility. EDIT - The answer is Round 8 2019 against the Sharks. Our bench was NAS, Tui, P Kaufusi and Paps. We lost 20-18. Every other game last year, our bench had either a backrower or a centre (or both) as well as a utility. Even then, Pat Kaufusi played a lot of SR in Q Cup, so you could make the argument that we didn't carry three props + a utility all year.

Either way, King or Tino, I agree. That is a strong bench.
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NAS played a lot of 2nd row in lower grades though so can cover. But who knows, you may be right.
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yourhero
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Pleasant surprise that we will be allowed to play game at AAMI. I thought Comrade Andrews would shoot that down immediately.

Both the Raiders and Souths games will be played at AAMI. AAMI was one of six venues named for games to be played in rounds 3-9. I wonder how many “home games” we will get to play.
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yourhero wrote: Tue May 19, 2020 7:42 pm Pleasant surprise that we will be allowed to play game at AAMI. I thought Comrade Andrews would shoot that down immediately.

Both the Raiders and Souths games will be played at AAMI. AAMI was one of six venues named for games to be played in rounds 3-9. I wonder how many “home games” we will get to play.
Yes great news for the team.
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And all the NSW fans are complaining that we've gotten an unfair advantage out of it. I mean, weren't they getting one out of the bubble plan? I know they're hypocrites but this is beyond stupid, even for them.
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Mattpoet wrote: Wed May 20, 2020 8:55 am And all the NSW fans are complaining that we've gotten an unfair advantage out of it. I mean, weren't they getting one out of the bubble plan? I know they're hypocrites but this is beyond stupid, even for them.
I'd be more concerned if they weren't complaining.
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yourhero
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Mattpoet wrote: Wed May 20, 2020 8:55 am And all the NSW fans are complaining that we've gotten an unfair advantage out of it. I mean, weren't they getting one out of the bubble plan? I know they're hypocrites but this is beyond stupid, even for them.
Exactly. Hooper has run an article today - stoking the anti-Storm brigade - talking about the massive unfair advantage we have been given by being able to play half our games at home. You know, the exact same thing that North Queensland, Brisbane, Parramatta and Wests Tigers have. All other Sydney teams will have a short drive to play home games.

This is the same flog that during the Sydney "bubble plan", was telling teams outside of NSW to "suck it up princess and do whatever you need to do for the good of the game. Do you want a competition, or not!?".
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I wonder if Hooper and his NSW cohorts would be so upset if Storm had to play all their games in Sydney. That would cause the team a great disadvantage. Would he be coming out with stories about poor "Storm"
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Momirovski would've needed a miracle to play for us immediately. The lockdown only hurt his chances at coming into the team.

James Hooper is a nob. Targets the Storm for easy clicks. Best off doing yourself a favour and ignoring him.
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