Round 12
Melbourne Storm 46 d. Bulldogs 0

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

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

Storm smash under-strength Bulldogs
Sat May 31, 2008
Source: www.melbournestorm.com.au

It was a one-sided affair tonight the Melbourne Storm demolished the Bulldogs 46-0 at Olympic Park.

It was a team effort from the Storm with seven different try scorers and Cam Smith booting an unbelievable seven goals for the game.

The Storm went into the match as hot favourites despite losing rising star, Will Chambers, to a season ending ACL injury at training last night. Chambers will see a surgeon tomorrow and book in for surgery during the week.

Going into match as red hot favourites, the Storm did not let the home crowd down, dominating the opening half of the match scoring five tries to nil.

Although the Bulldogs had several opportunities in the early stages, it was the Storm's Cam Smith who opened the proceedings after baulking the Bulldogs defenders to charge over the line for Melbourne's first try.

Smith did not fail to convert, backing up his first try for 2008 and putting the Storm out to 6-0 lead in the 13th minute.

The Storm looked in a ruthless mood, and a classic run by Billy Slater set up a magnificent try for Matt Geyer to put the Storm on the board for a second time in the half.

Smith scored his second goal of the half, increasing the Storm's lead to 12-0.

The Storm were on fire out of the middle as another strong run and team effort pushed the ball forward to set up Isreal Folau for Melbourne's third try of the half.

The Bulldogs would have breathed a sigh of relief as Smith failed to convert for a third time, but still faced a major challenge as they trailed the Storm16-0.

The video referee gave the thumbs up for Melbourne's fourth try as the loose ball was collected by Slater and handed to Turner to run the ball over the line for an easy try.

Melbourne's dominance continued as Smith scored his fourth goal of the match increasing the Storm's lead to a massive 22 points.

The Storm could do no wrong as a strong attack sent Jeremy Smith over the line for the fifth try for the Storm, almost putting the game out of reach for the Bulldogs before the half-time break.

Smith ended the half by converting his fourth score for the match, in a half that was controlled by Melbourne. The score at the break saw the Storm leading 26-0.

It was a horror start to the second-half for the Bulldogs with a handling error almost resulting in an easy try for the Storm. The video referee, however, disallowed the try giving the Bulldogs time to re-group momentarily.

But it wasn't long before a little bit of magic from Cooper Cronk set up Michael Crocker for a sensational try, and the sixth for the match for the Storm.

The onslaught continued as Smith converted again, pushing the Storm's lead out to 34-0.

It seemed as though the Bulldogs had switched off as a clearway opened up for Smith to offload the ball to Geyer for his second try of the match.

Smith made it six goals for the match and pushed the Storm's lead to an unbelievable 40-0 in the 71st minute of the match.

The Storm's domination continued with a link up between Smith and Geyer allowing Cronk to put the ball over the line for his first try for the season.

The half century was in sight for the Storm as Smith converted, sending the lead out to 46 points.

The Storm were able to keep the Bulldogs scoreless as the siren sounded, signalling a 46-0 demolition in Melbourne's favour.

STORM 46 (Tries: Geyer 2, C. Smith, Folau, Turner, J. Smith, Crocker, Cronk; Goals: C. Smith 7) def. BULLDOGS 0

Report Sent By: www.melbournestorm.com.au


Storm Round 12 v Bulldogs Game Notes
Fri May 30, 2008
Source: www.melbournestorm.com.au

Melbourne produced an indifferent performance last week against South Sydney in Gosford, finally prevailing 15-10 to remain equal top of the NRL ladder with the Roosters and Titans.

The Bulldogs scored an upset win over the Sharks 30-22 at ANZ Stadium. The victory leaves the Bulldogs in 13th position, four points outside the final eight.

WHO: Melbourne Storm v Bulldogs
WHAT: Round 12 of the 2008 Telstra Premiership season
WHERE: Olympic Park, Melbourne
WHEN: Saturday, May 31st @ 5.30pm
ON TV: Fox Sports 2 LIVE - 5.30pm
CHECK IT OUT: Melbourne Storm's website with all the latest stats, profiles, updates, schedule and training times, alerts, news etc - www.melbournestorm.com.au

FAST FACTS
* Melbourne has beaten the Bulldogs in their past four clashes
* The Bulldogs have lost four of their past five games away from home
* Melbourne has won 18 of their past 19 games at Olympic Park

DID YOU KNOW?
Storm centre Will Chambers celebrated his 20th birthday on Monday, May 26th.

KEY MATCH UP
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, several of their better players have been forced out through injury, none more high-profile than their destructive backrower Sonny Bill Williams. SBW was awesome against the Sharks last week, wreaking havoc with every touch of the football and almost single-handedly winning the game for the Bulldogs. His presence in the forwards will be sorely missed.

Winger Matt Utai and props Jarrad Hickey and Chris Armit are also injury casualties for the Bulldogs.

The loss such important players will place a lot of pressure on their captain, Andrew Ryan, to lead from the front more than ever. Ryan has played multiple State-of-Origins and international games for New South Wales and Australia respectively, and he will need to bring all of that experience with him to Olympic Park this Saturday night if the Bulldogs are to have any chance. He is a born leader, but he will need to produce something special to give his team any chance.

Up against Ryan will be Michael Crocker. The tough Storm backrower this week announced he will be taking up a lucrative three-year deal with Hull FC next year in the English Super League. Crocker has also played multiple State-of-Origins and international games, and his hardness will be just what the doctor ordered, or in this case Bellamy, to combat the Bulldogs captain. Crocker has played 29 times for the Storm in his two-and-a-half years with the club, and is yet to taste defeat. He will be doing everything in his power to ensure his astounding record remains intact.

HEAD-TO-HEAD
Total: Played: 21, Storm: 9, Bulldogs: 12
At Olympic Park: Played: 8, Storm: 4, Bulldogs: 4

FOR AND AGAINST 2008
Points for: Storm: 188, Bulldogs: 211
Points against: Storm: 133, Bulldogs: 252
Tries for: Storm: 32, Bulldogs: 38
Points differential: Storm: +55, Bulldogs: -41

LAST ROUND MATCHES
Storm def. Rabbitohs 15-10 @ Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Bulldogs def. Sharks 30-22 @ ANZ Stadium, Sydney

LAST EIGHT CLASHES
2007 Storm def. Bulldogs 38-6 @ ANZ Stadium
2007 Storm def. Bulldogs 38-14 @ Olympic Park
2006 Storm def. Bulldogs 16-12 @ Olympic Park
2005 Storm def. Bulldogs 33-6 @ Sydney Showground
2005 Bulldogs def. Storm 26-16 @ Olympic Park
2004 Bulldogs def. Storm 43-18 @ Sydney Football Stadium
2004 Storm def. Bulldogs 22-12 @ Olympic Park
2004 Bulldogs def. Storm 25-18 @ Sydney Showgrounds

THE STORM STORY SO FAR
WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE: STORM 4 (Try: Hoffman) def. by RHINOS 11 (Try: Donald; Goals: Sinfield 3; Field Goal: Sinfield) at Elland Road, Leeds
ROUND 1: STORM 32 (Tries: Slater 3, Johnson, Tagataese; Goals: C. Smith 5, Turner) def. WARRIORS 18 (Tries: Vatuvei 2, Ropati; Goals: Witt 3) at Telstra Dome, Melbourne
ROUND 2: STORM 16 (Tries: Aitken, White, Falou; Goals: C. Smith 2) def. by SHARKS 17 (Tries: Kearney, Gallen, Simmons; Goals: Covell 2; Field Goals: Kimmorley) at Olympic Park, Melbourne
ROUND 3: Storm (Try: Slater; Goal: C. Smith) def. by ROOSTERS (Try: Kenny-Dowell; Goals: FitzGibbon 3) at Sydney Football Stadium
ROUND 4: STORM 28 (Tries: Quinn 3, Folau, Hoffman; Goals: Smith 4) def. BRONCOS 8 (Tries: Robinson, Stagg) at Olympic Park, Melbourne
ROUND 5: STORM 26 (Tries: Slater 2, Inglis, Quinn, Hoffman; Goals: Smith 3) def. SEA EAGLES 4 (Try: Barney) at Olympic Park
ROUND 6: STORM 23 (Tries: Chambers, Turner, Slater, Folau; Goals: C. Smith 3; Field Goal: Cronk) def. RAIDERS 16 (Tries: Best, Plum, Purtell; Goals: Carney 2) at Canberra Stadium
ROUND 7: STORM 12 (Tries: Inglis, Folau; Goals: C. Smith 2) def. COWBOYS 10 (Tries: Williams 2; Goals: Thurston) at Dairy Farmer's Stadium
ROUND 8: BYE
ROUND 9: STORM 18 (Tries: Folau 2, Quinn; Goals: C. Smith 3) def. KNIGHTS 4 (Try: Mullen) at Olympic Park, Melbourne
ROUND 10: STORM 12 (Tries: Chambers, Manu; Goals: Smith, Turner) def. by DRAGONS 36 (Tries: Nightingale 2, B. Morris, J Morris, Lett, Soward; Goals: Soward 6) at ANZ Stadium
ROUND 12: STORM 15 (Tries: Chambers, J. Smith; Goals: C. Smith 2, Field Goals: Cronk) def. RABBITOHS 12 (Tries: Vagana 2; Goals: Luke) at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford

2008 TRY SCORERS (STORM)
Slater 7, Folau 6, Quinn 5, Chambers 3, Hoffman 2, Inglis 2, Johnson, Tagataese, Aitken, White , Turner, Manu, J. Smith

2008 GOAL SCORERS (STORM)
C. Smith 25, Turner 2, J. Smith

2008 FIELD GOAL SCORERS (STORM)
Cronk 2

2008 POINTSCORERS (STORM)
C Smith 52, Slater 28, Folau 24, Quinn 20, Chambers 12, Hoffman 8, Inglis 8, Turner 8, J. Smith 6, Johnson 4, Tagataese 4, Aitken 4, White 4, Manu 4

MELBOURNE STORM MEDIBANK PRIVATE INJURY UPDATE
Aidan Guerra (ankle): 1 week
Danny Vaughan (knee): season
Ben MacDougall (knee): season
Dane Nielsen (shoulder): season

THE STORM AHEAD
Round 13: Monday, June 9th v Titans @ Skilled Park, 7.00pm
Round 14: BYE
Round 15: Saturday, June 21st v Cowboys @ Olympic Park, 7.30pm
Round 16: Sunday, June 29th v Eels @ Parramatta Stadium, 3.00pm
Round 17: Sunday, July 6th v Raiders @ Olympic Park, 2.00pm
Round 18: Monday, July 14th v Wests Tigers @ Campbelltown Sports Stadium, 7.00pm
Round 19: Saturday, July 19th v Dragons @ Olympic Park, 5.30pm
Round 20: Sunday, July 27th v Warriors @ Mt Smart Stadium, 2.00pm (AEST)

TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP LADDER
1 Roosters 16
2 Titans 16
3 Storm 16
4 Sea Eagles 14
5 Broncos 14
6 Panthers 14
7 Tigers 14
8 Sharks 14
9 Knights 12
10 Raiders 12
11 Eels 12
12 Dragons 10
13 Bulldogs 10
14 Warriors 10
15 Cowboys 8
16 Rabbitohs 4

SQUAD FOR SATURDAY'S GAME
Starting team:
1. Billy Slater
2. Steve Turner
3. Will Chambers
4. Israel Folau
5. Anthony Quinn
6. Greg Inglis
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Jeff Lima
9. Cam Smith (c)
10. Brett White
11. Michael Crocker
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Dallas Johnson

Interchange:
14. Matt Geyer, 15. Antonio Kaufusi, 16. Jeremy Smith, 17. Adam Blair, 18. Aiden Tolman.

Coach: Craig Bellamy

News Source: www.melbournestorm.com.au

Tue May 27, 2008
• Youngquest to make debut against Storm
  
Tue May 27, 2008
• Inglis named at 5/8 for Bulldogs clash
  

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