Andrew Moore | 13/05/08 | 0
A few people have said to me this morning that Melbourne only just managed to beat Newcastle on Monday night, they just fell over the line. But the truth is, they do that often.
The Storm were made to battle hard by a very determined and good Newcastle team at Olympic Park. It was a scoreless first half, and the Storm needed 12 minutes of the second half to post their first try.
But this is what Melbourne does better than everyone.
If it’s a free-flowing type of game, the Storm can match anyone with the likes of Slater, Inglis and Falou. If it’s a throw ’em down, drag ’em out sort of game, the Storm is the best in the comp at that as well, because they are just so patient and because they do the little things better than any other team in the competition.
I have no doubt Knights coach Brian Smith will today be very proud of his players, who fought gamely and at no stage looked out classed by Melbourne. I hope the Knights can push for the finals, because they are a lot of fun lot to watch.
The New South Wales selectors would have been cringing watching the game. Kurt Gidley suffered a suspected fractured cheekbone, meaning he could be out for just one week but maybe for as long as four.
Halfback Jarrod Mullen was playing really well again, but he’s on report for a lifting tackle with second rower Corey Patterson. Plus, Knights prop Ben Cross suffered a concussion so heavy he collapsed in the tunnel. So the Blues selectors have even more thinking to do.
There’s a late push to have Sydney Roosters veteran Craig Fitzgibbon in the squad, and I think the selectors are going to make a big mistake by picking both Kurt Gidley and Greg Bird in the halves: neither have any sort of kicking game to speak of.
Mind you, the Queensland selectors appear likely to do the Blues an enormous favour and brush Scott Prince. How does the in-form player of the comp, along with Billy Slater, keep getting overlooked by the selectors? Are they just stubborn or are they trying to be too smart? It will be an absolute disgrace if he doesn’t get picked to partner Jonathon Thurston in the halves.
Mind you, as a proud New South Welshman, I hope that’s exactly what they do.
How does the in-form player of the comp keep getting overlooked by the selectors?
Andrew Moore
Send to friend
* Required field