Read + Write + Report
Home | Start a blog | About Orble | FAQ | Sites | Writers | Advertise | My Orble | Login

NRL Club Reviews Melbourne Storm - NRL News

Storm remain unchanged despite injured Hoffman

March 18th 2008 05:59
MEDIA RELEASE - Melbourne Storm

Melbourne Storm



Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has this afternoon named an unchanged line-up for this Sunday's clash with the Cronulla Sharks at Olympic Park.


Only backrower Ryan Hoffman is in doubt for the match, with the representative stra set to undergo scans today on an abdominal injury sustained in last Monday nights defeat of the New Zealand Warriors.

Melbourne Storm Team to play the Croulla Sharks is:-

1. Billy Slater
2. Steve Turner
3. Will Chambers
4. Israel Folau
5.Anthony Quinn
6. Russ Aitken
7. Cooper Cronk
8.Jeff Lima
9. Cameron Smith (c)
10. Brett White
11. Jeremy Smith
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Dallas Johnson

Interchange -
14. Matt Geyer
15. Adam Blair
16. Sika Manu
17. Sam Tagataese
49
Vote
Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: StephenP - Category: NRL Club Reviews, Melbourne Storm
   


NRL Club Analysis for Season '08 - Melbourne

February 21st 2008 05:48
Melbourne Storm

Melbourne Storm


Attack – 9/10
Defence – 8/10
My prediction – 3rd

After blitzing all before them on the way to claiming the ’07 premiership, the Melbourne Storm will again start as overwhelming favourites for the NRL’s 2008 crown. Under the tutelage of coach Craig Bellamy, who is undoubtedly the most astute coach in the league, many experts believe that back-to-back titles is a mere formality for the Melbourne side.


But the two time premiers will not have things all their own way, with all teams sure to lift and attempt to knock the at times untouchable Storm off their lofty perch. There will be even more pressure on Bellamy and his boys in the games Centenary season, with an increased Origin involvement, and a host of new, inexperienced talent set to test the professionalism and spirit of the club.

Melbourne have been the best team by far over the past two seasons, but I think their recent success may just hurt them cum finals time this season.

Strengths-

Coach Bellamy possesses arguably the most talented and speedy backline in the competition, with rookies Greg Inglis and Israel Folau set to kick on from last year’s stellar season. The departure of Matt King opens the door for the introduction of yet another boom Storm rookie, Will Chambers, and fullback Billy Slater will be out to make amends for an injury interrupted 2007 season. With cool halves Inglis and Cronk steering the ship, the Storm could well be in for another record season.

Weaknesses-

The Storm have lost a host of experience over the off season, and only time will tell if their gamble on youth will pay dividends. The loss of Crossman, Shortland, Newton and Aubusson leaves a big hole in the defending premiers forward depth, and coach Bellamy may find it extremely difficult finding a suitable hooking replacement should captain Cameron Smith go down injured.

The Storm’s backline still looks particularly lethal despite the departure of representative centre King, with talented rookie Will Chambers set to assume the number 3 jersey. Melbourne’s depth is sure to be tested cum representative time, and there will be no shortage of teams queuing up to break the premiers’ enviable home record.


Best Team-

1- Billy Slater
2- Anthony Quinn
3- Will Chambers
4- Israel Folau
5- Steve Turner
6- Greg Inglis
7- Cooper Cronk
8- Brett White
9- Cameron Smith
10- Antonio Kaufusi
11- Ryan Hoffman
12- Jeremy Smith
13- Dallas Johnson

14- Michael Crocker
15- Matt Geyer
16- Jeremy Smith
17– Jeff Lima

Trial Matches-

16/02/08 v Manly Sea-Eagles @ Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
29/02/08 World Club Challenge - v Leeds Rhinos @ Elland Road, Leeds
01/03/08 v Brisbane Broncos @ Dolphin Park, Redcliffe

2008 Gains and Losses –

Gains –

Ben McDougall (Northern Rivers), Kevin Proctor (Tweed Heads), Lucas Miller (Newcastle), Sinbad Kali (Central Coast), Joseph Tamone (Super 14, QLD), Aiden Guerra (Brisbane Norths)

Losses –

Matt King (Warrington), James Aubusson (Sydney Roosters), Clint Newton and Garret Crossman (Hull), Ben Cross (Newcastle), Ryan Shortland (NZ Warriors), Anthony Perkins (NQ Cowboys)

*Please join me tomorrow for my Analysis of the Newcastle Knights 2008 season.

Cheers,

StephenP
72
Vote
Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: StephenP - Category: NRL Club Reviews, Melbourne Storm
   


Melbourne Storm Round 3 Analysis

March 29th 2007 03:55










In what could very well be the clash of the season so far, the premiership favourite Melbourne Storm meet the premierships darkhorses the New Zealand Warriors at Olympic Park this weekend.

While the Melbourne side are yet to fire on all cylinders, they have shown that they have the fire power to blow sides away when needed. The form of fullback Billy Slater has been outstanding for the Melbourne team, with his freakish pace and line breaking ability all but winning the game for the Storm in their victory against the Raiders last week.

The jury is still out on the move of Greg Inglis to five-eight, but the teenage sensation has shown enough glimpses of brilliance to keep the experiement going. The performance of rookie wing Israel Folau will provide coach Craig Bellamy with some positive selection headaches next weekens, with renegade winger Steve Turner set to return from injury.

The Storm also have Matt Rua returning from injury in the QRL with Norths, while Adam Blair and Ian Donnelly are also set to return from injury over the next fortnight.


Injuries -

Ian Donnelly - ankle - Round 5
Steve Turner - ruptured medial ligament in ankle - Round 4
Adam Blair – Ankle – Round 5

Team VS New Zealand Warriors:-

Billy Slater, Matt Geyer, Matt King, Anthony Quinn, Israel Folau, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Antonio Kaufusi, Cameron Smith, Brett White, Jeremy Smith, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson
Bench - Michael Crocker, Jeff Lima, Ben Cross, James Aubusson, Ryan Shortland
31
Vote
Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: StephenP - Category: NRL Club Reviews, Melbourne Storm
   




[ NRL News Home ] [ Create A New Post ]
Moderated by StephenP
Copyright © 2006 2007 2008 On Topic Media PTY LTD. All Rights Reserved. Design by Vimu.com.
On Topic Media ZPages: Sydney |  Melbourne |  Brisbane |  London |  Birmingham |  Leeds     [ Advertise ] [ Contact Us ] [ Privacy Policy ]