Round 16
Parramatta Eels 24 d. Melbourne Storm 22

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

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

Storm fall just short of famous victory
Mon June 30, 2008
Source: www.melbournestorm.com.au

A combination of Storm ill-discipline and controversial refereeing decisions has cost Melbourne a famous victory over the Eels, eventually going down to the home team 24-22 at Parramatta Stadium.

The laser-like left boot of Parramatta fullback Luke Birt didn't hurt either, the Eels custodian scoring three of his four conversions from the sideline.

If having nine State-of-Origin players unavailable due to Game III commitments on Wednesday night, a 7-3 penalty count against the Storm didn't make matters any easier.

Three of Parramatta's four tries came after the referee penalised the Storm close to their own try-line, twice for late hits on the Parramatta kicker, and once against Storm winger Sam Joe.

However, it was the Storm that got off to the better start in the first-half.

Backrower Sika Manu barged over from close range for the game's opening try in the eighth minute, before a length of the field run by Joseph Tomane seven minutes later gave the Storm a 10-0 lead.

Eels winger Taulima Tautai scored Parramatta's first try of the game after a scrappy build-up on the last tackle, before Tom Williams and Joel Reddy took advantage of a couple of favourable refereeing decisions, giving the home side an 18-10 lead going into the half-time break.

In the 48th minute Storm forward Aiden Tolman appeared to have grounded the ball on the Eels try-line, only for the referee to order a play-the-ball 10-metres out instead of going to the video referee for confirmation.

However, the Storm weren't to be denied in the 61st minute when a Cooper Cronk kick saw Joe challenge for the ball, the resultant loose ball falling into the waiting arms of Manu to score his second of the game and draw his team back within two points.

Another soft penalty against the Storm for a late hit on the Parramatta kicker gave the Eels possession five metres from the Storm's try-line. Krisnan Inu took full advantage scoring in the corner from the resultant set of six.

With only two minutes left on the clock, Cronk dummied then danced past a couple of Eels defenders to score a try and set-up a heart-stopping finish, but it wasn't meant to be and Melbourne make the trip home two-point losers when it could quite easily have been so different on another day.

Cronk was brilliant leading his young team around the park, while front-rower Jeff Lima topped the Storm's tackle count with 34, hit-up count with 14, and metres run count with 220.

STORM 22 (Tries: Manu 2, Tomane, Cronk; Goals: Turner 2, Cronk) def. by EELS 24 (Tries: Tautai, Williams, Reddy, Inu; Goals: Burt 4) at Parramatta Stadium.

Report Sent By: www.melbournestorm.com.au


Bellamy names 19-man squad for Eels game
Tue June 24, 2008
Source: www.melbournestorm.com.au

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has named a 19-man squad for this Sunday's Round 16 clash against the Parramatta Eels. The game will be played at Parramatta Stadium in Sydney from 3.00pm.

The Storm will be missing nine players on State-of-Origin duty, giving many younger players an opportunity to shine on the NRL stage once again.

In the backline, Steve Turner replaces Billy Slater at fullback; Brett Anderson and Sam Joe come onto the wings, with Joseph Tomane and Jeremy Smith occupying the centre positions; and Matt Geyer slips into the 5/8th role.

In the forwards Russ Aitken takes Cam Smith's place at hooker; Scott Anderson will partner Jeff Lima in the front-row; Antonio Kaufusi and Sika Manu will form the backrow; and Adam Blair will lock the scrum.

On the interchange bench come youngsters Liam Foran, Aiden Tolman and Kevin Proctor, with Clifford Manua rounding out the 17.

Sinbad Kali and Lucas Miler have been named as 18th and 19th men.

Cooper Cronk will captain the team in Cam Smith's absence.

NRL squad for Sunday's game:

Starting team:
1. Steve Turner
2. Brett Anderson
3. Joseph Tomane
4. Jeremy Smith
5. Sam Joe
6. Matt Geyer
7. Cooper Cronk [c]
8. Jeff Lima
9. Russ Aitken
10. Scott Anderson
11. Antonio Kaufusi
12. Sika Manu
13. Adam Blair

Interchange:
14. Liam Foran, 15. Kevin Proctor, 16. Aiden Tolman, 17. Clifford Manua, 18. Sinbad Kali, 19. Lucas Miller (two to be omitted)

Coach: Craig Bellamy

Under-20's squad for Sunday's game:

Starting team:
1. Josh Jerome
2. Malo Feterika
3. Trent Walker
4. Zeb Tawha
5. Michael Faamausili
6. Luke Kelly
7. Gareth Widdop
8. Vili Faingaa
9. Jay Aston
10. Pulou Vaituutuu
11. Louis Fanene
12. Lawrence Nathan
13. Darcy Etrich

Interchange:
14. James Woolford, 15. Will Naitoro, 16. Matt Croker, 17. Theo Stuart

Coach: Brad Arthur

News Source: www.melbournestorm.com.au

Tue June 24, 2008
• Cayless and Robinson to achieve milestones against Storm
  

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