Oracle of Delphi
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Craig HillRound ten preview – Storm vs Roosters
May 18th 2007 20:02
VENUE and TIME: Olympic Park, Saturday 7.30pm
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 8, Storm 5, Roosters 3
COVERAGE: Fox Sports (live), ABC Radio
LAST 5 CLASHES:
Storm 20-16, Olympic Park, 2006
Storm 22-18, Aussie Stadium, 2006
Storm 24-10, Olympic Park, 2005
Roosters 26-10, Olympic Park, 2004
Roosters 27-20, Olympic Park, 2003
MEDICAL ROOM:
Everything is running perfectly down Melbourne way, with coach Craig Bellamy lucky enough to have a healthy squad of 25 players to choose from for this match. The only injury concerns for the Storm are fringe first graders Ryan Shortland (knee) and Russell Aitkin (hamstring), both of whom will be out for at least another two months. Missing form the regular Storm line up for this match will be Cameron Smith, Brett White, Matt King, Greg Inglis and Dallas Johnson who are all on State of Origin duty.
Things aren’t as smooth for Roosters coach Chris Anderson however, with injuries to Chris Beattie (shoulder), Chris Flannery (leg) and Vince Mellars (knee) exasperated by the loss of Anthony Minichiello, Nate Myles, Braith Anasta and Anthony Tupou to Origin commitments.
FORM:
After winning their opening seven games of season 2007, the Storm lost their way against the Tigers two weeks ago, before regrouping to comprehensively thrash the Bulldogs last Monday night. Melbourne is the most disciplined team in the competition at present, and even without their Origin representatives, still have the depth to worry most sides.
The Sydney Roosters on the other hand are in the exact opposite situation – they lost their opening five games to be sitting dead last on the premiership table, before uniting to win two of their last three matches. The Roosters have shown great resolve in those two victories, and expect a more improved showing from the Roosters in the coming months.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Billy Slater vs Amos Roberts
The clash between the two electric fullbacks could be the highlight of what is sure to be a forward dominated battle, with both custodians possessing the individual brilliance to break through the strongest defences.
Unlucky to miss our on Queensland Origin selection, Slater will be sure to have a massive game to remind Maroons selectors that he still has the skill and class to represent at Origin level. One of the Storm’s best all season, Slater’s kick returns always allow the tireless Melbourne forwards to start their sets of six in good field position, and look for the ‘Innisfail flyer’ to continue his impressive try scoring feats off Cooper Cronk’s short kicking game.
Roberts has been quiet for the majority of the season, but he should relish the freedom and space to move at fullback in Minichiello’s absence. The Roosters custodian positional play will have to be top notch, as the Storm kick chase game is easily the best in the competition.
Matt Geyer vs Craig Fitzgibbon
While these two won’t physically clash head to head all that often, the goal kicking prowess of the two former representative players may well decide the outcome of an expected close game.
Melbourne skipper and regular goal kicker Cameron Smith will not only leave a big hole in the Storm’s work rate and dummy half service, but his absence will mean that either Matt Geyer or Steve Turner will takeover the goal kicking reigns.
Rooster’s skipper Craig Fitzgibbon is currently kicking at a 74% success rate for the season and his goal kicking expertise and experience in close matches may well see the Sydney team snag a massive upset victory.
VERDICT:
With both sides down crucial personnel due to Origin commitments, this match should be a lot closer than what most experts are tipping. While on paper, the Storm look far and away the better team, they will miss the defensive workload of Smith, White and Johnson, as well as skipper Smith’s accurate goal kicking.
The Roosters have no better chance than Saturday night to upset the premiership favourites on their home turf, so look for a big game from Fitzgibbon, Harrison and Roberts to try and steer their young team mates’ home.
In what should be a dour, forward battle, look for the Storm to continue their winning run against the under strength Roosters, with a winning margin of between 4-8 points.
Storm by 4
Melbourne Storm:
Billy Slater, Steve Turner, Will Chambers, Anthony Quinn, Israel Folau, Matt Geyer, Cooper Cronk, Antonio Kaufusi, James Aubusson, Ben Cross, Michael Crocker, Ryan Hoffman, Jeremy Smith
Interchange:
Matt Bartlett, Jeff Lima, Ian Donnelly, Sika Manu, Scott Anderson, Garret Crossman, Sam Tagataese
Sydney Roosters:
Amos Roberts, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Sam Perrett, Joel Monaghan, John Williams, Mitchell Aubusson, Mitchell Pearce, David Shillington, Craig Wing, Danny Nutley, Shane Shackleton, Craig Fitzgibbon (c), Ashley Harrison
Interchange:
Mickey Paea, Lopini Paea, Nigel Plum, Setaimata Sa, Frank Paul Nuuausala
Referee: Gavin Badger
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 8, Storm 5, Roosters 3
COVERAGE: Fox Sports (live), ABC Radio
LAST 5 CLASHES:
Storm 20-16, Olympic Park, 2006
Storm 22-18, Aussie Stadium, 2006
Storm 24-10, Olympic Park, 2005
Roosters 26-10, Olympic Park, 2004
Roosters 27-20, Olympic Park, 2003
MEDICAL ROOM:
Everything is running perfectly down Melbourne way, with coach Craig Bellamy lucky enough to have a healthy squad of 25 players to choose from for this match. The only injury concerns for the Storm are fringe first graders Ryan Shortland (knee) and Russell Aitkin (hamstring), both of whom will be out for at least another two months. Missing form the regular Storm line up for this match will be Cameron Smith, Brett White, Matt King, Greg Inglis and Dallas Johnson who are all on State of Origin duty.
Things aren’t as smooth for Roosters coach Chris Anderson however, with injuries to Chris Beattie (shoulder), Chris Flannery (leg) and Vince Mellars (knee) exasperated by the loss of Anthony Minichiello, Nate Myles, Braith Anasta and Anthony Tupou to Origin commitments.
FORM:
After winning their opening seven games of season 2007, the Storm lost their way against the Tigers two weeks ago, before regrouping to comprehensively thrash the Bulldogs last Monday night. Melbourne is the most disciplined team in the competition at present, and even without their Origin representatives, still have the depth to worry most sides.
The Sydney Roosters on the other hand are in the exact opposite situation – they lost their opening five games to be sitting dead last on the premiership table, before uniting to win two of their last three matches. The Roosters have shown great resolve in those two victories, and expect a more improved showing from the Roosters in the coming months.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Billy Slater vs Amos Roberts
The clash between the two electric fullbacks could be the highlight of what is sure to be a forward dominated battle, with both custodians possessing the individual brilliance to break through the strongest defences.
Unlucky to miss our on Queensland Origin selection, Slater will be sure to have a massive game to remind Maroons selectors that he still has the skill and class to represent at Origin level. One of the Storm’s best all season, Slater’s kick returns always allow the tireless Melbourne forwards to start their sets of six in good field position, and look for the ‘Innisfail flyer’ to continue his impressive try scoring feats off Cooper Cronk’s short kicking game.
Roberts has been quiet for the majority of the season, but he should relish the freedom and space to move at fullback in Minichiello’s absence. The Roosters custodian positional play will have to be top notch, as the Storm kick chase game is easily the best in the competition.
Matt Geyer vs Craig Fitzgibbon
While these two won’t physically clash head to head all that often, the goal kicking prowess of the two former representative players may well decide the outcome of an expected close game.
Melbourne skipper and regular goal kicker Cameron Smith will not only leave a big hole in the Storm’s work rate and dummy half service, but his absence will mean that either Matt Geyer or Steve Turner will takeover the goal kicking reigns.
Rooster’s skipper Craig Fitzgibbon is currently kicking at a 74% success rate for the season and his goal kicking expertise and experience in close matches may well see the Sydney team snag a massive upset victory.
VERDICT:
With both sides down crucial personnel due to Origin commitments, this match should be a lot closer than what most experts are tipping. While on paper, the Storm look far and away the better team, they will miss the defensive workload of Smith, White and Johnson, as well as skipper Smith’s accurate goal kicking.
The Roosters have no better chance than Saturday night to upset the premiership favourites on their home turf, so look for a big game from Fitzgibbon, Harrison and Roberts to try and steer their young team mates’ home.
In what should be a dour, forward battle, look for the Storm to continue their winning run against the under strength Roosters, with a winning margin of between 4-8 points.
Storm by 4
Melbourne Storm:
Billy Slater, Steve Turner, Will Chambers, Anthony Quinn, Israel Folau, Matt Geyer, Cooper Cronk, Antonio Kaufusi, James Aubusson, Ben Cross, Michael Crocker, Ryan Hoffman, Jeremy Smith
Interchange:
Matt Bartlett, Jeff Lima, Ian Donnelly, Sika Manu, Scott Anderson, Garret Crossman, Sam Tagataese
Sydney Roosters:
Amos Roberts, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Sam Perrett, Joel Monaghan, John Williams, Mitchell Aubusson, Mitchell Pearce, David Shillington, Craig Wing, Danny Nutley, Shane Shackleton, Craig Fitzgibbon (c), Ashley Harrison
Interchange:
Mickey Paea, Lopini Paea, Nigel Plum, Setaimata Sa, Frank Paul Nuuausala
Referee: Gavin Badger
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