Round 14 - Roosters vs Storm

[yourhero]

Thursday 13th August
7:50pm
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney

4th vs 2nd.

Form Guide
Since we met in Round 8...

Storm
W - Beat the Bulldogs by 31 points
W - Beat the Knights by 10 points
W - Beat the Broncos by 38 points
W - Beat the Titans by 36 points
W - Beat the Raiders by 6 points

5 wins and a healthy bump in our For and Against (+121)

Roosters
W - Beat the Dragons by 8 points
W - Beat the Titans by 6 points
W - Beat the Warriors by 8 points
L - Lost to the Raiders by 4 points
W - Beat the Cowboys by 26 points

4 wins and 1 loss. For and Against (+44)


Even the most one-eyed Roosters fan would admit they have struggled in the past 4 weeks. Injuries have played a big part. Also hearing that the Roosters are in the midst of a heavy training load (as they have done in previous years and we have seen dips in performance), with the goal of timing their run for Finals.

Both teams will be without a host of top line players through injury, but I expect it will still be a tough, physically demanding game. Neither coach (nor any players or fans) will want to take a back seat in this one.

IMO, regardless of how the Roosters have been playing over the past few weeks, they will again become good and start hurting teams. All roads to Premiership glory lead through them. Come Finals, any team that wants to win the title will have to knock the Roosters off at some stage. Maybe even twice...

[sallymay]

No matter what happens I’m sure the boys will give it their best

I’m kinda excited for Jahrome Nicho Paps Ryley Cheese line up

[Pole]

I can't get over the fact we are paying $3 to win, the bookies love the Roosters don't they.

[riders of the storm]

The Roosters are a chance of getting Angus Crichton, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Josh Morris back this week. I'd say that's why the odds for the Storm have ballooned in this one.

If Smith plays, and I think he's a chance, I reckon the Storm win a tight one. The Roosters are badly missing Brett Morris and Daniel Tupou at the moment - and I'm not sure dropping Kyle Flanagan is the right call.

[blazza18]

Don’t see us scoring many points this week

[Pole]

The Roosters are a chance of getting Angus Crichton, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Josh Morris back this week. I'd say that's why the odds for the Storm have ballooned in this one.

Yeah, and Cordner too I think?

I still think we are a chance regardless... we're not likely Manly who without Trbojević go from top-4 side to a bottom 4-side.

It will be interesting ot see the team released today.

[Bullucked]

It will be interesting ot see the team released today.

It will be even more interesting seeing the team that actually runs out on Thursday. I for one like us regardless of who's playing this week, I'd surely have Nicho at 6 with Paps at the back and Hughes at 7. There was something very silky about Nicho each time he had the ball

[yourhero]

With the pics uploaded to the Storm site of the Monday training session, Smithy was nowhere to be seen... He may have been there and it was just carefully selected pics uploaded.

[yourhero]

Storm team named;

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen
2. Suliasi Vunivalu
3. Tom Eisenhuth
4. Justin Olam
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Ryley Jacks
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Jesse Bromwich
9. Brandon Smith
10. Christian Welch
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Kenneath Bromwich
13. Dale Finucane

14. Nicho Hynes
15. Tino Faasuamaleaui
16. Albert Vete
17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

18. Sandor Earl
19. Chris Lewis
20. Cooper Johns
21. Brenko Lee

[yourhero]

Roosters team named;

1. James Tedesco
2. Ryan Hall
3. Josh Morris
4. Joseph Manu
5. Matt Ikuvalu
6. Luke Keary
7. Lachlan Lam
8. Lindsay Collins
9. Jake Friend
10. Siosiua Taukeiaho
11. Sitili Tupouniua
12. Mitchell Aubusson
13. Isaac Liu

14. Drew Hutchison
15. Poasa Faamausili
16. Nat Butcher
17. Daniel Fifita

18. Egan Butcher
19. Christian Tuipulotu
20. Max Bailey
21. Kyle Flanagan

[riders of the storm]

Any idea who kicks goals if Munster and Smith are out? Papenhuyzen maybe?

[Mattpoet]

Yep. Papenhuyzen almost certainly. Unless Johns plays perhaps...

[blazza18]

Would've loved to see Hynes start just so we can see him play minutes against a good side.

Happy to see Smithy's definitely getting at least another week off. Glad we didn't feel the need to bring him back because Munster's out.

[Pole]

Hynes' goal kicking was great last week too

[Scooter]

Cooper Johns and Chris Lewis drop out of the squad.