S27E20 Preview – A point to prove
The high scoring Roosters come to town
The Sydney Roosters come to Melbourne with the number one attack averaging more than 30 points per game. Melbourne’s defence faces the toughest test of the season so far.
There was a time long ago when Roosters versus Storm matches were something of a low key affair. Since a certain unpleasantness there has been a healthy rivalry brewing on the field with close matches the order of the day. This week I’m going deep into the vault to recall one of those close matches from way back in 2001.
S04E10 – Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters
Fox League have previously billed this as one of the greatest games of the 2000s, which okay sure, but I can’t say that I remembered this game with any clarity two decades later before I watched it again.1
For this one we head indoors at Colonial Stadium on a wet Melbourne Sunday afternoon. Melbourne had parted ways with 1999 premiership coach Chris Anderson just three weeks before this match, ending a four match losing streak on Good Friday the previous weekend against the Northern Eagles.
Coach Mark Murray had dropped five-eighth Tasesa Lavea upon his arrival, but had brought back the 2000 rookie of the year via the bench against the Eagles, shifting Scott Hill from lock and giving more game time for Henry Perenara. Matt Geyer was playing fullback in the absence of Robbie Ross during this period, with young Queenslander Steve Bell coming through from the Norths Devils to start just his second match in the centres.
The Roosters had a few changes to their named team as they would be without the services of Brad Fittler and Adrian Morley. Jamie Russo made his debut for Chooks playing with Paul Green in the halves. In an indication that this match was in a different era, the only player older than 30 on the field for either team was Quentin Pongia.
Fox Sports sent along Mark Braybrook, Laurie Daley and Russell Fairfax to commentate on this one with the Colonial Stadium turf looking very much a cow paddock in its second year of operation.
Whether those conditions played a part in this match I’m not so sure, but the contemporary media reports described this:
[as] a torrid affair, marred only by some dropped ball through a number of heavy tackles. Both forward packs ripped into each other in what was possibly the most gruelling match of the season.
After a grinding opening spell, it would be the visitors who scored first in the 14th minute. Melbourne hadn’t found touch from a midfield penalty, with Hill’s kick bobbled over the line for a scrum 10m from the Roosters line. From the scrum win Matt Orford passed through to Hill, but his pass was knocked down by Chris Flannery, but there was no whistle from referee Steve Clark who ruled that the ball wasn’t played at and Anthony Minichiello ran 80m to score untouched. Clark asked for video referee assistance, but the decision that the ball “was not played at deliberately” was confirmed and the try stood. Not sure that decision would fly in 2024 and I’m still not sure how it stood in 2021.
An angry Melbourne lifted after the try was scored, first taking a penalty goal to cut the lead, then asking questions down the right channel with an attacking raid from Hill and Bell that only just came up short against a scrambling Roosters attack. Melbourne’s anger was apparent in defence, a massive set kept the visitors trapped in their own end, giving the Storm the field position to lay siege to the line. It would be a slick left to right passing move that unlocked the Roosters defence, Paul Whatuira scoring his second career try to level the scores at 6–all just before the half hour mark.
Five minutes later Orford scored his fifth try of the 2001 season, again attacking in the right channel. It was supreme Storm pressure that they had built as the half went on. Melbourne promoting the ball and Orford and Hill combining well to take a 12–6 lead.
From the restart, Ryan Cross was hurt for the Chooks,2 and Melbourne pulled out this magic from Marcus Bai:
Up 16–6 at the break, Melbourne should have extended that lead two minutes into the second half after a massive run by Russell Bawden set up a chance for Richard Swain to dive over, but somehow the Roosters kept the hooker out just short.
On the back of that defensive effort, the visitors confidence was high and in the 52nd minute they spread the ball from deep inside their own half, finding Minichiello in space out on the right wing. The winger’s pace beating a flailing Bai and the cover defence from Geyer to offload to Luke Ricketson to bring the Roosters back within four points.
They would hit the front five minutes later, with the Roosters offloading again to spread the ball right, this time halfback Paul Green scoring up against some ordinary decision making and missed tackles from Melbourne.
It would be three straight tries to the Roosters within ten minutes, again shifting the ball to their right up against Aaron Moule and Bai. Craig Wing spotting the numbers to send Minichiello over for his second try, taking the visitors out to a 22–16 lead.
Melbourne were running out of time and chances in this match, but an error from Pongia put the Storm in great field position with 11 minutes to go. The attacking set would be finished in fine fashion by Matt Rua, with the forward crashing over and ruled to have scored the try by the video referee. Orford kicked the conversion from adjacent to the posts to level the scores at 22–all.
Melbourne had chances with the ball to potentially steal the points (although they did refuse to set up for a field goal), but with three minutes to go, an attempted offload on the halfway line from Bawden went horribly wrong. The error gifting field position to the Roosters to set up for a field goal, with Green duly kicked from 25m out directly in front of the posts.
With 90 seconds to play, Hill would attempt a smart play to punt a 20m restart down field, but his kick couldn’t find the touchline on the bounce, and with 20 second left Melbourne tried for the big finish from deep inside their own half, but couldn’t get the ball into enough space to go through a desperate Roosters defence.
Captain Robbie Kearns knew what was behind the loss:
"There were some big hits and we put a bit of ball to ground. But we're professional players and should be ready for the big hits and be able to hang onto the ball. We have been working on ball security too. It was a very physical game but we've only got ourselves to blame. We should have won the match two, three times over. We let them into the game and they kicked a late field goal to win. We're getting toward the halfway point in the season and while we're playing better football than a few weeks ago, we're not winning. It's no use playing good football and losing.
Melbourne conceding tries down Marcus Bai’s wing was acknowledged by Mark Murray after the match, but noted that it was a brilliant performance from Minichiello on that wing for the Roosters.
Melbourne – 22 (Whatuira 29', Orford 37', Bai 39', Rua 70' tries; Orford 3/5 goals)
Sydney – 23 (Minichiello 14', 61', Ricketson 52', Green 57' tries; Fitzgibbon 3/5 goals; Green 78' field goal)
When looking at the newspapers from the time ahead of watching this week’s old Storm match, these pair of April 2001 letters to the editor tickled my fancy:
Storm wrecks a fan's Eden
The move away from atmospheric Olympic Park was a mistake. They've ruined something special, a Storm supporter says.
At the beginning of 1998 I was, akin to most AFL-bred Melburnians, oblivious to rugby league. A Maori friend dragged me along to the inaugural game at Olympic Park to see Melbourne Storm do battle on behalf of three million other Victorians against the northern invaders. There was an instant bonding. The atmosphere was both intense and searing to the senses.
It mattered not that I did not understand the nuances or rules of the game. What mattered most was that I was part of something special and these athletes-cum-warriors were representing me as an individual and the 20,000 other ragbags there on that memorable afternoon.
The team and the venue provided an atmosphere that could almost be tasted and the bonding between the supporters and team was something that I had never witnessed at any sporting event. The supporters appreciated the effort of the team and the team reciprocated at the end of every game with a group walk of the entire venue which melded us as one.
The move to Colonial Stadium may appear on face value to be a jewel in the crown, but it may well be the nail in the coffin of our future. Gone is the atmosphere which drew spectators like a magnet. Gone is the bond between player and supporter.
Olympic Park may have been antiquated and a perceived stop-gap measure, but it was home to both supporter and player. Visiting teams were overwhelmed time and time again not only by the team, but by the atmosphere created by the fervent throng.
Gone are those heady days, gone are players integral to the success of the team and gone is the coach who took us there. We live in the hope that decisions made by those in power don't mean that the Storm as an entity will be gone as the consequence of grandiose ideas and egos.
A return to the near past in several realms would well serve us all. The formula which bore success is tried and true.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
RE the article "Storm wrecks a fan's Eden" (April 13).
Melbourne Storm needed to make the move to a venue such as Colonial Stadium.
St George and South Sydney were the two most successful clubs in the history of rugby league in Australia, winning many premierships and spawning many players who became legends.
Sadly, neither exist as an NRL entity any more, nor do other previously successful clubs including Manly, Balmain, Western Suburbs, Illawarra and North Sydney.
All failed to translate support into bums on seats, which the NRL takes into account when deciding which teams can compete in the 14- team competition.
John Ribot and Chris Johns, responsible for much of Storm's success, believe they have a team that can transcend AFL parochialism.
Thus they are obliged to have the team play at a venue that can accommodate the numbers needed to survive.
Twenty thousand and more must become the norm, not as it was when they crammed into Olympic Park once or twice.
Those committed to the success of Storm will fondly remember those special days at Olympic Park while trying to make Colonial Stadium a cauldron for visiting teams.
Those who were only ever on the bandwagon will reminisce, and return to their previous passions if Storm become another South Sydney.
I do hope the writers of both of these letters are well and still supporting the Storm.
Stat attack
Melbourne have only played three matches on 20 July for three infamous losses — the first a heavy 54–10 loss to Parramatta indoors in 2001; followed by the 26–22 golden point loss to the Broncos in 2003 at Olympic Park; and finally an 18–16 loss at Parramatta in 2009.
Melbourne have lost only three of 13 matches against the Roosters since the 2018 Grand Final, and only once since the 2019 preliminary final at the #ShitCG.
The Roosters have won four of 12 visits to AAMI Park, last winning in 2022.
Sydney are one of four teams to have scored 50+ points against the Storm, winning 50–28 at the SFS in 2001 in a Brad Fittler masterclass.
Overall Melbourne have won 30 of 49 previous matches between the teams, only Manly have a better win percentage against the Roosters.
The Roosters will become just the fourth team to play 50 matches against Melbourne at the completion of this match.
Brandon Smith has played in four matches for the Roosters since leaving Melbourne. He is yet to be on the winning side.
Team line-up
Ryan Papenhuyzen
Will Warbrick
Jack Howarth
Nick Meaney
Grant Anderson
Tyran Wishart
Jahrome Hughes
Tui Kamikamica
Harry Grant ©
Josh King
Shawn Blore
Eliesa Katoa
Trent Loiero
Sualauvi Fa’alogo
Christian Welch
Nelson Asofa-SolomonaAlec MacDonald
Reimis SmithJoe Chan
Dean Ieremia
Chris LewisLazarus Vaalepu
Referee: Grant Atkins (Bunker: Ashley Klein)
Preview
Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters
— AAMI Park, 7:35pm Saturday 20 July 2024
Again, thank you to the Storm media team for releasing the team list in this format this week:
Nick Meaney is back. The centre slots back in to the line-up after missing the last two matches. Meaney will partner with Will Warbrick on the right flank, with Jack Howarth and Grant Anderson teaming up on the left in the absence of Xavier Coates.
It makes for an interesting match up against the Roosters outside backs. That back five for the Roosters is potent, even without Joey Manu. Dom Young has scored 13 tries in 13 appearances this season, Daniel Tupou has scored 12 tries in 15 appearances. Melbourne’s flanks will have their work cut out for them.
Where this game can be won though is through the middle for Melbourne. The Roosters forward pack is missing Jared Waerea-Hargreaves through suspension, meaning Terrell May will start. The Rooster have a bunch of Origin players in their forward pack, with Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Spencer Leniu and Connor Watson all named to back up. Whether that happens will be an interesting one.3 You’d hope that Harry Grant decides to play for Melbourne for the first time in a month, but given he’s carrying an injury it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s missing again, especially given he started and played 56 minutes for Queensland. But with Bronson Garlick left out of the squad who knows what happens. Maybe Sua Fa’alogo will pop up at fullback, Ryan Papenhuyzen at five-eighth in attack and Tyran Wishart at dummy half. Spin the wheel and see which player ends up where this week!
But the point is that if there’s a week for Melbourne’s middle and bench forwards to step up and dominate, it’s this week. Victor Radley is a walking penalty machine, use that against them. Getting over the advantage line and aiming for fast play-the-balls will be key to create space for Jahrome Hughes to continue on his brilliant form this season. Look for Melbourne to aim a lot of traffic towards the left channel before switching back towards the right for attacking kicks and passing plays this week.
As written about last week, Melbourne’s defence in 2024 is a problem. Currently the fifth-ranked in the competition, facing off against the top ranked attack spells danger. If Melbourne are to win this one, it will either be in a nerve-racking shootout, or by channelling their inner Cameron Smith and grinding the Roosters into submission. As the coach always says it’s attitude and effort that wins the day.
Thankfully there is one thing we can avoid this week, although he is of course in the Bunker after his usually shithouse Origin performance.
We know this team is capable of doing the hard work necessary against the elite teams, it’s time to show it again this week, because I know what I want to see come full time on Saturday night, and to trot out this line yet again:4
The match moved as so often Storm versus Roosters matches do into a grinding phase…
What else is going on?
Good news, it’s never coming home.
The Sunshine Coast Lightning made it through to the Super Netball finals despite their final round defeat to the Adelaide Thunderbirds. Their finals berth was confirmed the night before when the West Coast Fever won against the Melbourne Mavericks.
The Thunderbirds win wrapped up the minor premiership and they will host a major semi final against the Melbourne Vixens this week. If the Vixens win they’ll go straight through to the Grand Final… to be played in Adelaide. Meanwhile our Lightning face the daunting trip to Perth on Sunday afternoon to play the Fever in an elimination semi final. I suspect that the Lightning will fall short against the West Coast, having lost to them twice during the season, but it’s better to be in the finals with a chance than sitting on the sidelines.
In Queensland, the Queensland Cup team have the weekend off except for the Sunshine Coast Falcons who play their postponed round 14 match at home against the PNG Hunters. Going into this one it’s sixth versus seventh with a chance to threaten the top four. Both teams had wins last week, so this one will be interesting. Not sure if this one will be on 9Now, but there’s a chance given the 2:10pm kickoff time.
It’s a top of the table fight for the Bears this week, with the NSW Cup leaders facing off against the Raiders at Belconnen on Saturday afternoon (kickoff 2pm). Eyes will be on Bears winger Allan Fitzgibbon who has scored 16 tries in 14 matches this season.
Before that match at the same venue, the Storm Jersey Flegg Cup squad face off against the Raiders (kickoff 12:15pm). Coming off a win against Souths last week, the Storm juniors might be up against it this week with the Raiders wanting to bounce back after a loss to Penrith that knocked them off the top of the ladder.
One more thing…
Descend into madness and enjoy:
It took me a while to remember if I was in attendance for this one, and I’m still not sure if I was there or at this far worse spectacle. My record keeping 23 years ago being lost three computers ago hasn’t helped.
Cross would leave the field on the medicab with a broken leg. He wouldn’t return to the game until round 1 of the 2002 season.
I’m going to assume they won’t play.
If I’m complaining about the grind come Monday, smash the comment button and tell me off.