S26E20 Preview – This place... again?
The #ShitCG, you will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy
Right we’re back after a bye, heading to Sydney to take on the Roosters at the… Sydney Cricket Ground!? Why the fuck is the #ShitCG still being used for professional rugby league in 2023. Sigh.
To counteract the negativity1 about the not fit for purpose venue, this week it’s a quick trip back to 2017 for when the Roosters came to AAMI Park in August.
S20E23 – Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters
This late season Super Saturday2 match saw the top of the table Storm up against the second placed Roosters.
Melbourne were missing Cameron Munster, and in a late change Jahrome Hughes would come into the starting line up in place of Ryley Jacks. The Roosters had defeated Melbourne at the Adelaide Oval earlier that season, thanks to a Mitchell Pearce field goal in extra time. That defeat was followed a few weeks by a home defeat against Parramatta due to #wrongpriorities, meaning Melbourne entered this match on a three game winning streak, four points clear of the Roosters on the ladder.
The curious case of Connor Watson
Must admit when I watched the replay of this one, I’d forgotten about the existence of then Roosters fullback Connor Watson. Watson had already signed to move on from Easts to Newcastle at the end of the 2017 season after the Roosters signed James Tedesco from Wests Tigers. I see that he went back to Bondi last year, but has been out injured all of this season.
In any event, he started this game like a world-class fullback and was extremely dangerous in attack. On a moist night at AAMI Park, he was certainly the spark early for the visitors.
The Roosters were firmly on top early in this one, with the better field position and attacking chances, but the 2017 iteration of the Melbourne Storm was firmly built on defence, with the home team’s smothering defensive style holding out the visitors. Indeed, Melbourne would eventually score first in the 12th minute through a Cameron Smith penalty goal,3 despite some early miscues with the ball in hand.
With heavy rain falling as the half progressed, it wasn’t a night for throwing the ball around4 and after a string of penalties and sets in the Roosters redzone, Melbourne would have to settle for another penalty goal, with Smith extending the lead to 4–0 in the 24th minute.
Penalty try mayhem
With Melbourne receiving seven straight penalties,5 the first controversy of the night came when the officials awarded a penalty try to Suliasi Vunivalu in the 27th minute. Coming from an early kick out by Cooper Cronk in the direction of his Fijian teammate, Vunivalu was interfered with by Latrell Mitchell before he could gather the ball in the field of play before the try line. The referees would rule that it was a penalty try, with the decision endorsed by the Bunker. The penalty try was possibly the wrong decision, with sending Mitchell to the sin bin the fairer result.6 In the post match, Trent Robinson was blunt with his assessment:
There was too much doubt for it to be a penalty try
Roosters hit back
Leading 10–0, Melbourne looked comfortable, but not on top. On the back of a penalty earned by Watson, the Roosters would go down the field just after the penalty try and open their account for the evening. A deft kick in the conditions from Jake Friend at dummy half had the Melbourne right edge turned around and a push from Luke Keary on Vunivalu was not deemed worthy of a foul, with the Roosters halfback awarded the try. With Mitchell able to convert to cut the margin to 10–6.
Jahrome Hughes
It’s interesting looking back at old games to see how players roles have changed and their progression in the team. This was Hughes fourth game for Melbourne, having spent most of 2017 alternating between fullback and pivot for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in Queensland Cup. Hughes wouldn’t feature in the NRL again until well into the 2018 season, returning then as a fullback.
It was clear that this wasn’t Hughes team back then and that his role in the team was very narrowly defined. The massive presence of Slater, Cronk and Smith was Melbourne in 2017, with other players briefly finding the spotlight around them. There was a force of will about the 2017 season from Melbourne that had been seen before,7 and it is perhaps a discussion for another time as to what Bellamy era team actually had the best season.
Oh I remember this game now…
With the Roosters looking dangerous down the edges, it would be Keary’s kicking game that was providing opportunity for the visitors. Kicking to the right, one kick was almost grasped by Blake Ferguson who went high above Curtis Scott. Ferguson would land awkwardly on his shoulder and would go down hurt, but stay on the field.
In the 36th minute the Roosters attempted a similar play, but this time the kick would fall short of the in-goal area and be deliberately knocked-on by Mitch Aubusson. Gathering the loose ball was Billy Slater who would pass it to Josh Addo-Carr to RUN THE LENGTH OF THE FIELD TO SCORE… sorry what, a penalty against Melbourne for obstruction? Oh okay I see what’s happened there was a Roosters player , better go back to the knock-on as Melbourne didn’t receive any advantage from the turnover… You can’t downgrade from a penalty to a scrum? Oh okay, how about blowing a penalty for a deliberate knock-on then? Fucking Gerard Sutton.8
Melbourne would just defend the ill-gotten Roosters attacking set, shoveling Ryan Matterson into touch on the other flank as he tried for the corner.
There would be one final moment of madness before the first half ended, when Mitchell launched a deliberate shoulder charge on Chambers. Vunivalu and Mitchell would have a little melee moment, with Mitchell somehow staying on the field again instead of having a deserved ten minute naughty box break.
Mischief and madness
Coming out for the second half, Melbourne straightened up their attacking structure after being too sideways for periods of the first half. Smith’s long kicking game in the wet conditions shifted the momentum back in Melbourne’s favour, with Smith extending the lead in the 53rd minute to 12–6 after Pearce was penalised for a high shot on Curtis Scott.
The match moved as so often Storm versus Roosters matches do into a grinding phase, until OMG WHAT THE HELL DID SULI JUST DO!
Suli’s moment of madness handed possession to the Roosters via a penalty for dangerous play, with the winger eventually receiving a $1,100 fine for contrary conduct from the NRL Judiciary.
On the back of the penalty, Aubusson would score for the visitors off the back of Watson’s right edge passing game. Mitchell would convert to tie the scores up at 12–all with 20 minutes left to play.
Intensity through the roof
With tensions high, the next ten minutes flew by, with the Roosters applying heavy pressure on the Melbourne line. That pressure would bend the Storm, but not break them as the home team was able to lift the intensity and finally get a chance to break the deadlock. Cronk however wouldn’t got for the field goal, electing instead for a chip kick. That decision would come back to haunt Melbourne, with the Roosters able to clear and force a mistake from Slater who muffed a long kick from Pearce.
The opened the door for the Roosters and Keary would kick the first field goal of his career, giving the visitors a 13–12 lead with seven minutes to play.
Big finish
Being down on the scoreboard seemed to lift Melbourne to a higher level. There was no panic football being played, with Melbourne methodically looking for the winning play. It wasn’t just Slater, Cronk and Smith either forcing Melbourne forward, with Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Slade Griffen stepping up in the big moments.
Cronk would attempt a field goal for Melbourne, but his kick was charged down by Watson after a slow play-the-ball. Getting the ball back though, Cronk was able to put Joe Stimson through the line for the match-winning try in just his 14th NRL match, capping a big performance from the young forward.
In front on the scoreboard 16–13 after Smith’s conversion attempt hit the post, there was potential for a nervy finish. From the short kickoff the Roosters player would tackle Addo-Carr in the air, with the try-scoring machine landing on his neck in what was a very nasty moment. Fortunately the Foxx would get up and Melbourne were able to run the clock down to full time.
So it finished 16–13, which isn’t a common NRL scoreline, and it’s the only Melbourne game to finish with that score, but there is another famous Roosters game that finished 16–13…
Melbourne – 16 (Vunivalu (penalty) 26', Stimson 77' tries; C Smith 4/5 goals)
Sydney – 13 (Keary 29', Aubusson 60' tries; Mitchell 2/2 goals; Keary field goal)
Stat pack
Melbourne haven’t played on 15 July since the 2001 season, losing to the Knights in Newcastle 48–16. Melbourne did win the other match they’ve played on 15 July, a 38–26 shootout against the Northern Eagles in Gosford back in 2000.
This will be Melbourne’s fourth and hopefully last ever visit to the Sydney Cricket Ground. After losing the 2018 preliminary final against the Roosters, Melbourne won in both 2020 and 2022.
In 46 previous matches, the Roosters have won on 19 occasions against Melbourne, which is their second worst record against active opponents behind Manly.9
Melbourne are averaging just 17.5 points per game on their visits to Sydney this year, while the Roosters haven’t defeated a team currently in the top eight since defeating the Warriors in round 9 across the ditch.
Team line-up
Nick Meaney
Will Warbick
Remis Smith
Justin Olam
Xavier Coates
Cameron Munster
Jahrome Hughes
Tui Kamikamica
Harry Grant
Christian Welch ©
Trent Loiero
Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Josh King
Tyran Wishart
Tom Eisenhuth
Tariq Sims
Bronson Garlick
Grant Anderson
Alec MacDonald
Jayden Nikorima
Marion Seve
Chris Lewis
George Jennings
Referee: Grant Atkins (Bunker: Ashley Klein)
News from north of the Tweed
The Maroons have the Shield,10 and if you’re a subscriber to Liam’s Maroon Observer, you should be up to speed with this (and if you’re not please do yourself a favour and subscribe):
The goings on in Queensland will have consequences for rugby league across the country, and Melbourne will no doubt be affected.
Now I haven’t lived in Queensland for almost a decade, but I’m a Queensland Cup fan. I thought the affiliation system in place before this season was the best way to bring through fringe players, young talent and players returning from injury needing game time.11 The addition of the Dolphins to the NRL highlights that there’s enough talent around for further expansion of the NRL competition, led by Queensland.12 But the way the Cowboys and Titans listened to fucking V’Landys about the brain fart idea of a national second-tier competition brings immense shame to their organisations.
I can only hope that Melbourne stays true to both the Sunshine Coast Falcons and Easts13 Tigers for as long as possible, even with the addition of the North Sydney Bears to the Storm Group in 2024.14
As for the NRL’s brain fart of a national second-tier competition I hope that they take a look at the costs being incurred by the AFL with the expanded east coast VFL, and the embarrassment of the West Coast Eagles in the WAFL competition. Mess with competitions like the Queensland Cup, VFL, WAFL and SANFL at your administration’s peril.
The only good union
Backing the RLPA against V’Landys, Abdo and their media cheerleaders is a no-brainer. The players have my support against their oppressors and they have a good FAQ here.
This take is also a good summation.
Preview
After the dispiriting defeat against the Panthers, Melbourne come off the bye needing to right the good ship Storm, with competition points at a premium now that the season can recover from the exhibition match series. Sitting in a logjam of teams just off the pace, but in the top eight, means that any slip-up could be costly, especially against a team that has been struggling in 2023 like the Roosters.
Since their visit to Melbourne in April, the Roosters have fallen off the pace, with their only wins coming against the Dragons on ANZAC Day, the Warriors, Bulldogs and Knights. They were soundly defeated twice by Penrith, and before the bye lost close matches to the Raiders and Sea Eagles.
On Teamlist Tuesday the Roosters welcomed back a bunch of players from concussions, and Brandon Smith who hasn’t played since round 12 due to a thumb injury. Melbourne’s line-up looks settled at the moment, providing the Origin players back up from their Wednesday evening match.15
Melbourne will be celebrating a number of milestones this week, with Tom Eisenhuth finally playing his 50th NRL match, a full 11 years since his debut for Penrith. Centre pairing Justin Olam and Reimis Smith will each play their 100th NRL matches. Olam has spent his entire NRL career with Melbourne, scoring 44 tries for the club; while Smith will play his 51st match for the Storm after crossing from the Bulldogs at the end of 2020.
Providing Munster and Grant are able to backup from Origin, Melbourne should have enough to get over the Roosters. But as always this season points will crucial. Melbourne are scoring on averaging almost eight points per game than the Roosters, and the defensive numbers also have a similar disparity. While it would be nice to rack up a big score against them, settling for a stress-free win will be enough.16
Sadly there’s going to be negativity in this throwback too…
Fox League made this one their marquee match for the weekend too, sending Warren Smith, Kevin Walters, Braith Anasta and Brett Finch to Melbourne.
#RyanTandyMemorialSpecial™
Surprisingly even Will Chambers threw a pass into touch in the first half. I’m still not exactly sure how that was even possible.
Including a warning to Boyd Cordner about the Roosters offending.
If you ever watch the replay of this match, beware that Warren Smith gets in a big knot about the awarding of the penalty try and makes it his entire personality for the rest of the 80 minutes.
2007 and 2012 had very similar vibes to 2017. The way that the preceding seasons ended might have something to do with this narrative.
Watching the replay of this incident made me want to HULK SMASH.
Minimum of more than one match, sorry Fish fans, come back when you’ve beaten teams other than the Duds more than once.
Game III was an absolute yawnfest amirite?
In an ideal world each of the Queensland teams having three affiliated teams seems like the perfect balance.
Any NRL expansion to team 18 should be based in Perth, team 19 should be a NZ team and 20 should be a fifth Queensland team (and let the Sunshine Coast and Ipswich areas slug it out for where they are nominally based). But I digress.
I’m not calling them Brisbane Tigers dammit.
That announcement earlier in the year was a weird one. I assume there’s a few young players in the living in the void between the Manly catchment area and the Hills District that Melbourne are trying to recruit and promise not to send to Victoria/Sunshine Coast before they’ve turned 19.
Although I still think Alec MacDonald should be coming off the bench with his impact game.
Especially as I won’t be able to watch this one live.