Round 19
Knights 16 l. Storm 24

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

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

Sonny Bill gets off, but what about Anthony Quinn?
Mon July 17, 2006
The NRL's Match Review committee has decided that Bulldogs duo Sonny Bill Williams and Reni Maitua didn't have a case to answer for a possible "Dangerous Throw" tackle on St George-Illawarra Dragons winger Colin Best. This tackle occurred in the second half of Friday night's blockbuster at OKI Jubilee Stadium. This ensures that the pair are free for Saturday's grudge match with a somewhat resurgent Sydney Roosters at Telstra Stadium (5:30pm kick-off).

Consistency has been a bit of an issue in 2006 when it comes to putting things on report and deciding what charges are to be laid by the Match Review committee, and I think this is another case of consistency going out the window. Current interpretations aside, the tackle itself didn't deserve to go on report, let alone be a penalty. However, in keeping with previous rulings in 2006, Sonny Bill Williams should have been charged with a Grade 1 Dangerous Throw; his good record would have seen him avoid suspension. Whilst the Bulldogs will be more than happy to benefit from this, I think that there may be a few other clubs with a valid case to be aggrieved after this finding.

On the other side of the coin, what on earth was Anthony Quinn thinking on the weekend? Anthony claims that a grapple tackle was the reason he blew up at the touch judge, leading to a penalty to the Storm whilst the Knights were in possession.

Whether he has a fair claim or not, when did it become acceptable for a player to abuse a touch judge to the point that he feels the need to come off his touch line and report it to the central referee? We have seen a few severe Contrary Conduct charges in 2006 for players bumping (perhaps pushing?) match officials, however verbal abuse appears to be acceptable. Kids watching that game on the weekend will no doubt have no problem following Anthony Quinn's example next time they disagree with the referee, and the NRL has condoned it by default. I wonder how many coaches or parents will use that as a defence when their child is suspended. I dub this the "Anthony Quinn Defence" from hereon out.

We should all expect more from the NRL.


Hoffman secures win in dying minutes
Sun July 16, 2006
Source: www.melbournestorm.com.au

Melbourne Storm sealed victory in the dying seconds of their clash against the Newcastle Knights at EnergyAustralia Stadium, with second-rower Ryan Hoffman crossing with only moments to go to give his team a 24-16 victory and maintain their four point lead at the head of the NRL table.

The victory gave the Storm their seventh win in a row, a new club record, and began to erase their horrible record in Newcastle having only won there once in their past eight previous attempts.

And once again it was the visitors who managed to get up in a close one, their eighth win in a row by less than 12 points.

But it was Newcastle who got off to the better start with Melbourne recruit for the 2007 season Anthony Quinn crossing after only seven minutes after his teammates managed to keep the ball alive on the fifth tackle.

Four minutes later Storm half-back Cooper Cronk scored in the corner, displaying amazing strength to ground the ball when three Newcastle tacklers had other ideas close to the touchline.

An error by the Storm ten metres from their own try-line gifted the Knights' George Carmont possession.

When the Storm gave a penalty away on the next play from right in front of the posts, Knights captain Andrew Johns had no hesitation in converting the kick to bring the teams level.

A Storm set play in the 25th minute saw them regain their lead.

A beautifully weighted grubber kick by Cam Smith through the Newcastle defence found Billy Slater on the rampage, getting to the football before Johns and fullback Milton Thaiday to cross next to the posts.

The see-saw battle continued when the Newcastle side got themselves back in the game again when, after a repeat set of six within 20 metres of the Storm's try-line, Jarred Mullen threw a cut-out pass that found Brian Carney in the corner to bring them back to within two points at the half-time break.

The second-half almost got off to the perfect start for Melbourne when captain Matt Geyer crossed in the corner, only for the video referee to call an obstruction penalty against Antonio Kaufusi.

However, the Storm didn't have to wait too long to extend their lead.

A wonderful offload by David Kidwell to Jeremy Smith saw him show great skill to gather the ball before displaying impressive drive to bounce off several Knights tackles to once again get the ball down near the posts.

However, Quinn set up a barnstorming finish at EnergyAustralia Stadium when he crossed in the corner for his second try of the game after breaking the Storm line 45 metres out.

In the dying minutes, a stray pass by Newcastle on their fifth tackle saw Steve Turner gather the ball, racing 60 metres downfield before being tackled by Knights five-eighth Mullen.

However, Mullen's tackle only delayed the inevitable and when Hoffman got the ball in his hands to score under the posts, Melbourne Storm was guaranteed victory.

Report sent by: www.melbournestorm.com.au

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