Game 706 – S27E22 Review
Melbourne Storm 16–18 St George-Illawarra Dragons
Meek and messy Melbourne looked like they couldn’t be bothered winning this week.
Melbourne – 16 (Grant 15', 60', Anderson 35' tries; Meaney 2/3 goals)
St George-Illawarra – 18 (Su’A 25', 50', Sloan 29' tries; Lomax 3/3 goals)
If last week was winning ugly, this was just losing poorly.
The thing about sport is that a loss is always coming. Losing is inevitable. For the Melbourne Storm I did suspect that the winning streak would come to an end at Penrith in a few weeks time. Unfortunately Melbourne’s worst effort in a couple of months came against a Dragons side needing a win to keep touch with the race to the finals.
It’s hard not to be down after Melbourne’s effort in this match. Nothing seemed to click for the home team even after a “dynamic” start in the opening minute.
Being off your game
Last week I wrote:
Melbourne felt at least 10% off their game and kept making errors in the first 15 minutes
Which usually comes down to Craig Bellamy’s sore point when it comes to this iteration of the Melbourne Storm: attitude and effort.1
From the moment Cameron Munster gave away a lazy penalty in the fourth minute to put the Dragons on the attack, the visitors looked faster and more threatening with the ball. They also seemed to be better at restricting Melbourne in defence, especially on the edges.
It’s not that Melbourne played horribly badly in this match, but to put a percentage on it, Melbourne felt closer to 20% off their game. Grant Anderson had a couple of nice moments early on at the end of flowing moves, but the Dragons defence scrambled well on both occasions. A great run from Jack Howarth through the middle was thwarted by Grant Atkin’s first bad call of the night to surmise that Josh King caused a gap in the Dragons line.2
Harry Grant’s try to finally get the scoreboard ticking over in the 15th minute was very well worked against the soft middle of the Dragons line. Jahrome Hughes with Grant in support cutting straight through the Dragons to give Melbourne the lead. But that try didn’t lead to more points from Melbourne. Another opportunity was wasted one second after Melbourne received a six again call, Atkins ruling a knock on from King that the Storm probably could have challenged and had overturned.
Ill-discipline and errors were creeping into the Storm’s game and the visitors capitalised with Jaydn Su’A scoring from a Ben Hunt grubber kick behind Howarth. There was a disturbing lack of effort from a couple of Melbourne players that gave Hunt the space to go to work, something that would have been well known had the Storm players been focused on their opposition this week.
The Dragons didn’t score on their next touch of the Steeden, but they did score their second try not long after their first. Again Melbourne were beaten first by lazy defence in the middle not stopping an offload, with Loeiro and Munster badly exposed in defence by Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan, who was able to sprint away to the line after faking out Ryan Papenhuyzen with a feint to kick.
Were Melbourne flat and off their game, or were St Merge playing well? It was probably both, and it was up to Melbourne to try and turn this match around like they did last week against Parramatta.
On report
Is General Bias for real? First Eli Katoa was put on report for a careless high tackle in the ninth minute for a tackle on Tom Eisenhuth so innocuous I had to watch the incident a number of times to even pick up that it was anything other than an ordinary tackle. I’d almost fight the charge given the difference in the fine for a second offence is $700.
The there was the report during the match of Nelson Asofa-Solomona for a tackle on Francis Molo that has also been graded a careless high tackle. The tackle should not have warranted a penalty. It’s only that Molo took to heart the advice of Coach Gordon Bombay that the Bunker intervened.
Then reading the NRL Judiciary report really irked me. Mosese Suli was lucky to stay on the field for rushing over to the melee caused by the penalty against Jacob Liddle in the 34th minute. That he rushed over and made contact with the referee as well to get there — how does that equate to just a grade one contrary conduct charge Mr Patten? Surely he should be facing the same penalty given to Jahrome Hughes earlier this season right?
Trying to turn it around…
Following the ill-gotten penalty against NAS, the Dragons were able to march down the field, with their alleged criminal sex offender3 again making too many metres against the middle forwards. It was only an error (that the Dragons probably should have challenged and won) that saved Melbourne’s scrambling defence from conceding again.
After the melee Melbourne looked to have temporarily awoken from whatever funk they were in, a few big runs from Alec MacDonald and big NAS providing impetus for Munster to find time and space for a grubber to the wing of Anderson, with the number five putting the ball down for his sixth try of the season, scoring in his fourth straight match. Meaney’s missed conversion from out wide leaving the Storm down two points five minutes from half time. It was a bright patch for Melbourne too —MacDonald went close just before half time, although had he been able to find a pass there was an overlap on the right flank.
…but errors are a problem
Coming back from the break, Melbourne looked to settle quickly, only for the officials to call a backwards offload from Grant a forward pass after it bounced out to the wing. That error leading to another on zero tackle from Will Warbrick to give the Dragons field position. Sloan would cross over for a try that was initially awarded off the back of another Hunt masterclass, with Melbourne only saved by a marginal obstruction call from the Bunker. That no try ruling was only a blip for the visitors when Su’A crossed for his second try coming again off the back of a run from Ben Hunt. While Hunt is a great player, surely a prepared and focused team would have been able to get a better read on how to curb his play.
Down by eight, my thoughts was that Melbourne had dug themselves a hole that they would struggle to get out. The vibes at AAMI Park were low and with over 25 minutes to play, the Storm struggled to not play panic football.
It was a structured set that led to Grant’s second try, with Melbourne able to work through the Dragons down the left channel. Fast rucks and running the key again to unlock the opposition. With a two point margin going into the final 20 minutes, surely there was more points coming.
Frustration
There were no further points.
It’s almost not worth recapping the final 20 minutes. Melbourne should have scored on their first set after points — with Wishart running hard at midfield, and then Grant busting the line only for Munster to run to the left without support when the play should have went right. Lazarus Vaalepu was then caught with the ball on the last for unknown reasons.
Melbourne burnt their challenge on a illogical decision from the officials that overruled a knock on from Zac Lomax. Thankfully that initially didn’t cost the Storm with the Dragons unable to score themselves. That lost challenge would hurt Melbourne in the final 90 seconds when Grant was called for a knock on from a marker who might not have been square.
In the end it was a mild finish from Melbourne in tune with the overall vibe of this match.
What needs to change
Suffice to say that the lessons available in defeat are usually more apparent than those following a win. The bench rotation with Lazarus Vaalepu only playing 12 minutes and Tepai Moeroa coming on inside the final ten minutes is one obvious adjustment that can be made. Hopefully Christian Welch can overcome his injury to return soon, and Joe Chan will make a welcome return from suspension next week. Tui Kamikamica will also need to find form and fitness to help the middle forward rotation return to optimal settings. Eli Katoa limping off after 51 minutes might have been a little more problematic had he not returned 12 minutes later.4
Munster will be better for another run, but there might need to be a rethink about where he spots up in the defensive line after being caught out a couple of times. It was interesting though to see Melbourne look better with Tyran Wishart coming into the middle during the second half. How to best deploy Wishy will be something that needs to be thought through over the next month.
As always though with this iteration of the Melbourne Storm, it will require minor adjustments to bring the structure back, but it will be for nothing if the attitude and effort are lacking.
Post match quotes
Bellsa was also frustrated:
Really disappointed in how we started both halves, which was a bit of an issue last week. Which sorta showed how we’re not learning. Our completions were really poor. You’re not going to beat physical teams when you give them more of the ball.
At times it looked like we were in a rush and we didn’t need to be in a rush. We needed to play our footy — basically we looked for the easy options. You’re not going to get an easy night in this comp.
We got what we deserved. We’ve just been inconsistent. We need to knuckle down and go the long route instead of taking shortcuts.
Stat offloads
Harry Grant scored a double for the fourth time in his career, taking his NRL career try tally to 30 from 93 appearances.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona played a season high 50 minutes starting at prop.
Seasons (excluding 2020 and 2021) in which Melbourne haven’t lost two or more matches at AAMI Park: 2023.5
Was it worth it?
St Merge winning is the same bad vibes as England sports teams winning. Or when the fucking Tories win government. It’s barely tolerable and decidedly unpleasant. You can only hope it doesn’t happen often.
That it was this iteration of the Dragons under that coach who ended Melbourne’s winning streak and became the first St Merge team to win in Victoria this century. Gross.6
1/10
Storm Machine Player of the Year
Harry Grant with a couple of tries and a bunch of tackles and runs from dummy half was easily Melbourne’s best. Hard to get a read on who else deserved points this week with a number of players doing okay, and some doing good things but also having a few negative aspects that caused me to reconsider giving them points or honourable mentions. Settled on giving NAS a point though given his impact starting and increased minutes this week. If only he was on the field for more of the crucial final minutes though.
Round 22 points:
2 – Harry Grant
1 – Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Leaderboard:
24 – Jahrome Hughes
12 – Eliesa Katoa
11 – Harry Grant
8 – Xavier Coates, Ryan Papenhuyzen
6 – Tyran Wishart, Grant Anderson, Josh King
5 – Cameron Munster
4 – Christian Welch, Shawn Blore
3 – Tui Kamikamica, Cameron Munster, Grant Anderson, Nick Meaney, Trent Loiero, Sualauvi Fa’alogo, Jack Howarth, Nelson Asofa-Solomona
2 – Joe Chan, Will Warbrick
1 – Jonah Pezet, Alec MacDonald, Reimis Smith, Bronson Garlick
Around the grounds
Jersey Flegg Cup — Melbourne Storm 18–22 St George-Illawarra Dragons
Another week, another loss for the Storm junior squad. They gave the Dragons an 18–point head start inside the first 20 minutes, finally hitting back with two tries to head to the sheds down 18–12. Another Dragons try just after the break saw Melbourne with a mountain to climb that they couldn’t complete, even with Delacruz Ripley scoring his second try.
Queensland Cup — Brisbane Tigers 24–23 Burleigh Bears
One hoodoo made it through the weekend intact, the Tigers stunning the Bears for the second time in season 2024. A penalty goal from 45m out from Tristan Hope in the 73rd minute gave the Tigers a slender advantage after Burleigh halfback Guy Hamilton had put the visitors in front with a field goal just a few minutes before. Earlier Coby Williamson and Kane Bradley both scored tries to give the Tigers a 16–10 half time lead. Marion Seve, Tristan Powell and Keagan Russell-Smith were also all in action.
The Sunshine Coast Falcons had their final bye of the season.
NSW Cup — North Sydney Bears 20–32 St George-Illawarra Dragons
The Bears suffered their second straight loss, going down to the Dragons at North Sydney Oval on Sunday afternoon. Sua Fa’alogo, Dean Ieremia and Ativalu Lisati were all in action. The Dragons dominated the first half to take a 26–0 lead, but the Bears gave themselves a chance of a comeback with two tries in the first ten minutes of the second half. However a late try to Savelio Tamale, his second for the day for the Dragons, sealed the win for the visitors.
Next up
Round 23 vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Thursday 8 August, 7:50pm @ Accor Stadium
Back to basics for Melbourne this week ahead of this crappy run home of stupid Thursday night away games. Souths come into this week off the back of another loss, their 12th of the season. Caretaker coach Ben Hornby struggling to cobble together a team ravaged by injuries.
If Melbourne weren’t coming off a loss, this would present as a trap game especially on short rest. The danger this week for Melbourne might be more felt from the wrath of Bellyache.
Preview post coming Thursday morning.
I do wonder if he would have liked the attitude and effort brought by Tom Eisenhuth on his return to AAMI Park.
That Fox League couldn’t be arsed to show a replay, combined with the fact that because their commentators are 1000km away they let Atkins off with this call without any analysis is infuriating.
Happy Women In League Round.
Aka the only minutes played by Lazarus Vaalepu.
Aka possibly need to stop being Chicken Little about home losses. This though is not a fun stat.
This remember is a fanbase that carries around a sign that references a fucking tax on almost everything brought in by a prime minister who would have preferred sending Australia back to the 1950s.