Round 9
Melbourne Storm 18 d. Newcastle Knights 4

2008 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Storm top ladder after win over Knights
Mon May 12, 2008
Source: www.melbournestorm.com.au

The Melbourne Storm returned to Olympic Park tonight after a month on the road, with eight players backing up from the Centenary Test match last Friday, to record a gutsy 18-10 win over the Newcastle Knights, propelling them to the top of the NRL ladder.

Given the Storm's recent domination over the Knights, Newcastle have only tasted victory once in their past seven clashes, Melbourne were the clear favourites going into the match.

However, the Knights had other ideas and made it hard work for Melbourne from the opening minute.

A scoreless first-half provided for an entertaining contest, with some of the best defensive efforts this season on show from both teams.

It was a brutal affair early on, with heavy tackles being laid by both sides in an effort to break the scoring deadlock.

The Storm looked to have suffered an early loss with Brett White being forced to leave the field with a shoulder injury, but received a reprieve with his return to the field in the closing 10 minutes of the half.

The Storm dominated the opening 20 minutes in terms of possession, but the Knights' impressive defence prevented the Storm from taking the ball over the line.

The Knights went to great lengths to stop the run on of the Storm, but Jarrod Mullen and Jesse Royal overdid it with a dangerous tackle on Sam Tagataese that was placed on report.

Newcastle's first real attempt to score was denied by Anthony Quinn who placed a ferocious tackle on the Knights' Wes Naiqama once again holding up play.

Moments later, the Storm again prevented the run on from the Knights with the Storm placing a relentless tackle only metres from the line.

Just as the Storm's Steve Turner looked set to break the drought, Newcastle's Cooper Vuna returned the favour and denied the Storm with the line within arm's reach.

Nil-all at the half-time break, but an entertaining arm wrestle which set the stage for an explosive battle in the second-half.

The Storm put the pressure on early with a series of close attempts at the line. It was, however, a slip in the Knights defence which allowed Isreal Folau to dive over the line after gathering a loose ball from Michael Crocker.

But the score was not to be, with the try being disallowed pending a decision from the video referee vowing obstruction from Jeremy Smith.

The deadlock was finally broken and the Melbourne crowd erupted as Folau produced an inspirational try following a great high ball from Cronk.

Cam Smith did not disappoint, converting and finally putting Melbourne on the scoreboard to lead 6-0 in the 51st minute.

The threads of the Newcastle defence began to unravel as the Storm, through a series of lightning passes, sent Folau over the line for a second time.

The concerted period of pressure from the Storm paid off as Smith put the ball through the middle, pushing the scoreline out to 12-0.

The Knights mounted a series of offensive efforts late in the half, and an inspirational run from Mullen kept the door open for Newcastle.

Kurt Gidley failed to achieve the much needed conversion for the Knights, leaving the Storm eight points ahead with only minutes remaining in the match.

The Storm sealed the deal with Quinn scoring Melbourne's third try following a great link up in the corner.

Smith scored his third conversion of the match, securing the Storm with a 14-point lead.

The score remained at 18-4 as the siren sounded, securing Melbourne's position at the top of the NRL table.

STORM 18 (Tries: Folau 2, Quinn; Goals: Smith 3) def. KNIGHTS 4 (Try: Mullen) at Olympic Park.

Report Source: www.melbournestorm.com.au


Punters back Knights to upset Storm
Wed May 7, 2008
TAB Sportsbet punters have launched into Newcastle to upset premiers Melbourne when they meet in NRL round 9 this Monday night.

Newcastle were posted as $4.00 outsiders when head to head markets opened this morning and were given an 11.5 point start in Line betting.

Bets commenced almost immediately on the underdogs with $20,000 @ $1.90, $10,000 @ $1.90 and a final $10,000 @ $1.85 all on them at the +11.5 point line.

One customer was more confident by placing a bet of $10,000 on Newcastle to defeat Melbourne @ $4.00.

Following the money for the Knights the markets are now.

HEAD TO HEAD
6025 Melbourne 1.25
6026 Newcastle 3.75

LINE
6405 Melbourne -11.5 2.00
6406 Newcastle +11.5 1.80

Monday May 12, 2008
Melbourne Storm vs Newcastle Knights at Olympic Park, Melbourne (VIC)

Melbourne Storm
1. Billy Slater, 2. Steve Turner, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Israel Folau, 5. Anthony Quinn, 6. Greg Inglis, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Antonio Kaufusi, 9. Cam Smith (c), 10. Brett White, 11. Michael Crocker, 12. Ryan Hoffman, 13. Dallas Johnson. Subs: 14. Matt Geyer, 15. Adam Blair, 16. Jeremy Smith, 17. Sam Tagataese, 18. Aiden Tolman (one to be omitted).

Newcastle Knights
1. Kurt Gidley, 2. James McManus, 3. Wes Naiqama, 4. Adam MacDougall, 5. Cooper Vuna, 6. Chris Bailey, 7. Jarrod Mullen, 8. Danny Wicks, 9. Danny Buderus (c), 10. Ben Cross, 11. Chris Houston, 12. Cory Paterson, 13. Zeb Taia. Subs: 14. Matt Hilder, 15. Jesse Royal, 16. Daniel Tolar, 17. Steve Simpson, 18. Keith Lulia, 19. Cameron Ciraldo, 20. Scott Dureau (three to be omitted).

Date: Mon May 12 2008, 7:00PM AEST GMT+10 [Mon May 12 2008, 9:00AM GMT]
Referee: Ben Cummins

Predictions:
Matthew O'Neill: Storm by 20


OVERALL:
Total Games: 19
Melbourne Storm wins: 9. [Pts: 544]
Newcastle Knights wins: 10. [Pts: 457]
Draws: 0

Biggest wins:
Melbourne Storm: 46 pts: 2006 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 7 - [View] Sat: Storm 52 d. Knights 6 [Crowd: 9084]
Newcastle Knights: 32 pts: 2001 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 19 - [View] Sun Jul 15: Knights 48 d. Storm 16 [Crowd: 21367]

Biggest Crowd: 1999 National Rugby League - Round 15 - [View] Sat Jun 12: Knights 27 d. Storm 26 [Crowd: 25793]

Last 50 games against each other form line (most recent matches at end of line):
Melbourne Storm: WLLWLLLLLLWLWWLWWWW
Newcastle Knights: LWWLWWWWWWLWLLWLLLL

Last 10 games:
2007 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 18 - [View] Mon: Melbourne Storm 44 d. Newcastle Knights 0
2007 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 4 - [View] Sat: Newcastle Knights 12 l. Melbourne Storm 22 [Crowd: 20051]
2006 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 19 - [View] Sun: Knights 16 l. Storm 24 [Crowd: 21655]
2006 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 7 - [View] Sat: Storm 52 d. Knights 6 [Crowd: 9084]
2005 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 21 - [View] Sat: Knights 37 d. Storm 18 [Crowd: 20023]
2005 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 1 - [View] Sun: Storm 48 d. Knights 10 [Crowd: 10484]
2004 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 12 - [View] Sat May 29: Knights 18 l. Storm 28 [Crowd: 17281]
2004 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 2 - [View] Sun Mar 21: Storm 26 l. Knights 36 [Crowd: 10068]
2003 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 8 - [View] Sat May 3: Storm 46 d. Knights 6 [Crowd: 9541]
2003 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 4 - [View] Sat Apr 5: Knights 44 d. Storm 28 [Crowd: 12892]

Overall record at Olympic Park, Melbourne (VIC) Stats:
Melbourne Storm: 115 games, won 87, drawn 1, lost 27.
Last 5 games:
2008 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 5 - [View] Fri: Melbourne Storm 26 d. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 4
2008 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 4 - [View] Fri: Melbourne Storm 28 d. Brisbane Broncos 8
2008 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 2 - [View] Sun: Melbourne Storm 16 l. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 17
2007 NRL Telstra Premiership - Finals Week 1 - [View] Sun: Melbourne Storm 40 d. Brisbane Broncos 0
2007 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 25 - [View] Sun: Melbourne Storm 50 d. Gold Coast Titans 6

Newcastle Knights: 8 games, won 2, drawn 0, lost 6.
Last 5 games:
2007 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 18 - [View] Mon: Melbourne Storm 44 d. Newcastle Knights 0
2006 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 7 - [View] Sat: Storm 52 d. Knights 6
2005 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 1 - [View] Sun: Storm 48 d. Knights 10
2004 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 2 - [View] Sun Mar 21: Storm 26 l. Knights 36
2003 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 8 - [View] Sat May 3: Storm 46 d. Knights 6

Head to Head at Olympic Park, Melbourne (VIC) Stats:
Total Games: 8
Melbourne Storm wins: 6. [Pts: 316]
Newcastle Knights wins: 2. [Pts: 114]
Draws: 0

Last 5 games:
2007 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 18 - [View] Mon: Melbourne Storm 44 d. Newcastle Knights 0
2006 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 7 - [View] Sat: Storm 52 d. Knights 6 [Crowd: 9084]
2005 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 1 - [View] Sun: Storm 48 d. Knights 10 [Crowd: 10484]
2004 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 2 - [View] Sun Mar 21: Storm 26 l. Knights 36 [Crowd: 10068]
2003 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 8 - [View] Sat May 3: Storm 46 d. Knights 6 [Crowd: 9541]

Tue May 6, 2008
• Buderus and Simpson named in Knights side
  
Tue May 6, 2008
• Bellamy names 18-man squad for Knights clash
  

Advanced Search