Round 14
Eels 22 l. Storm 34

2006 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Storm makes mockery of the Eels and Fitzgerald
Sun June 11, 2006
Parramatta Chief Executive Denis Fitzgerald has long been a campaigner for Melbourne to be kicked out of the Premiership and today the Storm's 34-22 victory over the Eels has seen them take the outright lead whilst relegating Parramatta to one spot above Souths on the table.

A paltry crowd of just over 7,000 turned up to Parramatta Stadium to watch the Eels season completely fade away as Melbourne without star players Greg Inglis, Cameron Smith, Matt King, Billy Slater and Dallas Johnson proved too strong and with Brisbane's loss last night now take the outright lead.

It's no surprise that the Storm even though massively depleted lift against the Eels to consistently prove a point to the outspoken Fitzgerald that they deserve to be in the Premiership and have allowed their football and development of new talent to do all the talking. Whilst the Storm don't have a strong Junior base as such, their development of talent is one of the very best in the NRL. Players such as Inglis, Slater, King, Johnson, Smith, Steven Bell and Jake Webster have come through the development structure in place at the Storm and have progressed to higher representative honours.

Melbourne were tipped to fall apart this year with Matt Orford and Bell defecting to Manly, captain Robbie Kearns retiring and hard hitting forward Alex Chan going to continue his career in England. Melbourne instead have found a new lease of life, developed a fine young halfback in Cooper Cronk (rather than buy one) and produced Inglis from a no body into a genuine superstar.

Webster scored three tries including the opening try when dived over in the right hand corner after seven minutes. Matt Geyer landed his 100th Premiership goal with a great conversion from the sideline for a 6-0 lead.

Parramatta scored three unanswered and unconverted tries to lead 12-6 as Tim Smith showed positive signs that he's returning as a first grade halfback. Smith kicked across field where it was collected by Luke O'Dwyer who passed to Jarryd Hayne for the try. Hayne scored his second try soon after when he dived over from dummy half on the last tackle. Smith created the 3rd try when he saw an unmarked John Williams on the right flank with a well-timed kick catching the Storm defence out.

Melbourne regained their footing in the match with three tries in ten minutes before halftime to lead 20-12 at the break. Cronk scored a fine individual try and that was followed up a try to Ryan Hoffman after great offloads from Scott Hill and Steve Turner. With a minute remaining to halftime Turner scored a very crucial try under the posts where he supported a break from Geyer who charged onto a superb inside pass from Cronk, which lifted the Storm and broke the Eels back.

Geyer pushed the Storm further ahead two minutes after halftime when he scored outwide and Chris Walker who tookover the goal kicking duties converted from outwide for a 26-12 lead.

Webster scored two further tries as Melbourne bolted clear to a 34-12 lead before two late tries by Williams gave him a hat-trick and brought the scores closer than the real difference between the two sides.

Melbourne are now out on top and have made a complete mockery of Fitzgerald's consistent comments that they have no place in the Premiership.

Report & Quotes from Bellamy: Storm alone on top


Storm alone on top
Sun June 11, 2006
Source: www.melbournestorm.com.au

Melbourne Storm has overcome the loss of a host of first team regulars, and a nightmare 10-minute period in the first-half to overcome an adventurous Eels outfit 34-22 at Parramatta Stadium.

Parramatta Stadium holds no fears for the Storm and the win extended their head-to-head tally over the Eels 5-3 at the venue and 9-7 overall.

In cold and windy conditions more reminiscent of Olympic Park, the Storm recorded their eighth win in nine games to claim outright leadership of the NRL Premiership ladder.

Without Origin bound Matt King, Cam Smith and Dallas Johnson; the suspended Billy Slater and Michael Crocker; and the injured Greg Inglis and Ben Cross; it was always going to be a tough ask to win in Sydney. But the players brought into the team, as they have done on so many occasions this season, stepped up and did the job required of them.

The first half looked to be heading in a disastrous direction for the Storm with the Eels scoring three tries in a ten minute burst to open up a six point lead, and only poor converting kept the Melbourne team in the contest.

After opening the scoring through Jake Webster, the hosts replied through quick fire tries to Jarred Hayne (2) and John Williams.

However, after regathering their composure, Melbourne stamped its authority on the game with tries to Cooper Cronk, Ryan Hoffman and a Steve Turner effort following a wonderful team build-up, sent the Storm into the break leading 20-12.

The second half started in perfect fashion for the Storm.

Scott Hill, having his best game of the season, broke the line once again before offloading to Matt Geyer who had the easy task of putting the ball down over the try line.

The remainder of the second half saw Webster complete his hat-trick, along with the Eels' Williams.

In years gone by, Storm teams may have capitulated after the 10-minute onslaught by the Eels in the first half. However, the Storm fought hard to get themselves back in the game.

"I was really proud of them today, especially after we went behind in that first half," said Storm coach Craig Bellamy.

"We didn't seem to touch the ball there for 10 minutes, and luckily they didn't kick any goals.

"They had all the run of play and got in front, but our guys fought back and I thought their effort was tremendous."

With so many first team regulars out, it was up to the older players in the team to lead the way.

"Boofa (Geyer), Kiddy and Hilly, I gave them a big wrap at half-time, I thought they were tremendous," Bellamy said.

"You can add Cooper Cronk in there as well. The halfback is obviously an important part of the team and I thought the four of them were tremendous just before half-time.

"I thought they got us back on track and led the way for us."

After the team's loss to the Sea Eagles before State-of-Origin I, Bellamy was wary of producing a similar performance without their stars.

"The last time we were in this position we didn't fare so well and I'd like to think we've learnt from our mistakes and we were very determined today that we weren't going to make those mistakes again," said Bellamy.

Although the team are sitting alone at the top of the table, Bellamy isn't letting his players relax.

"We're only half way through the competition and I don't think we're the kind of team that can get too comfortable," said Bellamy.

"There's a couple of Origin games to go and we're having trouble with suspensions and trouble with injuries, so we've got a lot of work to do with some of our new players, but I'm really happy with the way they're responding.

"We're happy to be where we are, but we certainly aren't going to get too comfortable."

Report sent by: www.melbournestorm.com.au

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