Storm v. Tigers

[James]

Thought I'd start it early, as this bit of news has come up:

The Tigers are so confident of having their gun playmaker back for the Leichhardt Oval clash they even took the unprecedented step of flagging his return on their website.

"Benji has made a better than expected recovery and is a chance of playing the Melbourne Storm at Leichhardt Oval in round four," Wests Tigers recruitment manager Warren McDonnell said.

full story

I guess if we're going to get anywhere serious this year it's good to face the best teams with their best players playing.

Anyone know how long Jeremy Smith's suspension is for?  His aggression would be good against the cats!

[Mike_The_Undertaker]

JS was susspended for one week only.

[Surandy]

I guess our major concern going in to this match will be what injuries we have as a result of last night's game.

[Super Cronk]

blairs aggression would be ncie aswell.

[bula]

My team, assuming Websters out
1. Slater
2. Geyer
3. King
4. Inglis
5. Turner
6. Hill (c)
7. Cronk
8. Kaufusi
9. C.Smith
10. Crossman
11. Kidwell
16. Feeney
13. Johnson

12. Hoffman
14. White
16. Donnelly
17. C.Walker

I think against the Tigers little men, run our big boppers at them and walker on the bench, need his speed when the game opens up. And run King at Benji all night.
Kaufusi showed abit of aggression against the Cowboys but only through frustration. If he uses it properly then he could probably get through that Barrier that seems to be holding him back from showing what he really can do.
Hill last game showed in patches he can still be dangerous, looked good close to the line. I reckon he should try Slater on his inside more often with Turner as a second option if Slater draws em in.

[jellyhead]

Wasn't Walker injured last night as well?

[Surandy]

Kaufusi showed abit of aggression against the Cowboys but only through frustration. If he uses it properly then he could probably get through that Barrier that seems to be holding him back from showing what he really can do.

Agreed, I was pleasantly surprised to see Kaufusi getting a bit more fired up. Hope he can continue with that.

[Mike_The_Undertaker]

Wasn't Walker injured last night as well?

Injured or not I'd preffer a mobile forward on the bench instead of Walker.

[steaming stormer]

Bellamy has said himself last year that he won't be making the mistake of going into a game without a utility back on the bench.  The days of four forward benches are gone it looks like. 

[Mikey]

so from last weeks team we could be missing Slater, Hill, Kaufausi, Webster and Walker. Are Slater and Hill in the clear yet. Thank god we will have Kigny back

[Mikey]

just read the Storm website and Webster will be out 4 a couple of weeks and it says Walker will miss training but doesnt say much more. Either he is ok or there not sure I guess

[Super Cronk]

team named:

Starting team:
1. Billy Slater
2. Matt Geyer
3. Matt King
4. Greg Inglis
5. Steve Turner
6. Scott Hill
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Garrett Crossman
9. Cameron Smith
10. Brett White
11. David Kidwell
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Dallas Johnson

Interchange:
14. Ian Donnelly, 15. Jamie Feeney, 16. Jeremy Smith, 17. Chris Walker, 18. Adam Blair, 19. Nathan Friend.

prolly one of the weakest benches ive ever seen. i still cannot wrap my mind around why bellamy only wants a player to play 15 minutes or less.....

[Super Cronk]

tigers team named:

1: Brett Hodgson (c)
2: Daniel Fitzhenry
3: Dean Collis
4: Paul Whatuira
5: Shane Elford
6: Benji Marshall
7: Scott Prince
8: Bryce Gibbs
9: Stuart Flanagan
10: Todd Payten
11: Anthony Laffranchi
12: Ben Galea
13: Jamaal Lolesi

14: Isaac De Gois
15: Chris Heighington
16: John Skandalis
17: Ryan O'Hara
18: Ben Reynolds

[James]

It says on the Storm site that 'Fusi has gone back to the Devils.  I thought his form's been fine; did he cop the suspension?

yours,
Confused in Carlton

P.S  If Smith and Blair are on the bench (for Walker and Friend) it looks pretty good, I think...

[jellyhead]

It says on the Storm site that 'Fusi has gone back to the Devils.  I thought his form's been fine; did he cop the suspension?

yours,
Confused in Carlton

P.S  If Smith and Blair are on the bench (for Walker and Friend) it looks pretty good, I think...

From the "judiciary update" thread

Melbourne front rower Antonio Kafusi is looking at a three-week suspension for a grade two reckless high tackle, with the ban to be reduced to two weeks with an early guilty plea.

His Storm teammate Greg Inglis will escape suspension with an early plea following his grade one contrary conduct charge for a grapple tackle on North Queensland second rower Steve Southern.

http://nrl.com/News/Latest/NewsArticle/ ... fault.aspx