Round 5 Discussion

[Big Pete]

No matter how great your defence is, there's no answer to a great kick and chase like that.

Great kick, great chase from Uate and good support from Saifiti.

 

[Big Pete]

That maybe the scrappiest Storm try I've seen.

Points are points, but Melbourne really need to shake this off if they want to challenge the top teams.

 

[Big Pete]

I've never seen a team look more disinterested after a 20m 7 tackle restart than the Knights.

Now Mullen has kicked it on the 2nd tackle.

I expect Storm points very soon.

 

[Big Pete]

Or not, Smith with a early tackle kick of his own and now Newcastle receive a pity penalty.

Newcastle with another penalty, they'll take the 2.

8-6 Knights after 31.

Hodkinson 12/12 so far this season.

 

[Big Pete]

It's a miracle, Smith has been pulled up for a forward pass.

It was a golden opportunity for Melbourne to hit back and once again their execution has let them down.

If it wasn't for their defence and the quality of the opposition they would be in dire straights.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Melbourne have been baaad recently

 

[Big Pete]

HT

8-6 Knights

It's been a scrappy game so far, which comes as a surprise given the class of the Melbourne Storm. Poor passes, questionable kicks have plagued their conservative brand of footy and have enabled the Knights to sneak away with the lead.

I'm expecting a much better second half from Melbourne and wouldn't be surprised to see them run away with it. However there's some concerning signs and they really need to work on their structures. That's where the loss of Slater has really hurt them. The experience he had with Cronk and Smith gave the Melbourne an ample supply of plays. With Munster it's like they've had to start from scratch and they don't have the confidence in one another.

Newcastle have been gallant as always but haven't been as ruthless as they should have been. If you could sum their performance up, all you'd have to do is look at the last two plays from Mataora. Two strong carries, cruelled by poor handling which let Melbourne off the hook.

 

[Alec]

Mataora is close to the most improved player in the NRL atm...despite the errors.

 

[Big Pete]

Great tackle Mullen on Cronk to kill that set dead.

Newcastle have to give the ball to Uate. Him and Gagai are their only attacking weapons.

 

[Mitch06]

Solomona could win an Oscar for that penality.

 

[Big Pete]

What's going on with Smith? Terrible pass from the captain.

Melbourne didn't deserve to score there. That penalty on Mata'utia was an absolute piggy-back.

 

[Big Pete]

The Knights defence has really impressed me.

Couple of big plays from Mullen and Rochow there on the line.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Melbourne are in real trouble here

 

[Mitch06]

Munster deserved that.

 

[Big Pete]

Great chase from Korbin.

Knights should be 14-6 up.

That should be game.

 

[Brett]

Melbourne are asleep out there.

 

[Big Pete]

Great play from Melbourne.

All came on the back of a quick play the ball from Kennar.

Big set coming up here.

 

[Brett]

They've woken up now. Knights will have to dig in if they wanna win.