Melbourne Storm Billy Slater beats NRL Charge

  Leading NRL and Melbourne Storm fullback Billy Slater tonight successfully had his Grade 2 Contrary Conduct charge reduced to a Grade 1 offence, therefore only missing one week instead of two. Put on the chopping block after going the biff with Jason Nightingale from the St George Illawarra Dragons - Slater claimed his reactions were in self defence and the NRL judiciary agreed, taking 1 week off an initial 2 week black ban. 

Slater will miss this weekend’s Round 20 clash against the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland, but will be available for Melbourne’s Round 21 home clash against the Gold Coast Titans next Friday night.

Melbourne Storm fight night with St George Dragons

Melbourne Storm tonight overcame rain, wind and a fiery opposition to defeat the St George Illawarra Dragons 26-0 at Olympic Park in front of 9,335 brave fans.

The miserable conditions set the stage for what was predicted to be one of the best clashes of the round. The Storm and the Dragons have had a history of great matches, and with both teams battling for a top four finish, Melbourne’s winter weather was unlikely to hold anyone back.

This match was no exception with the opening half providing two tries to Melbourne, three players sent to the sin, another sent off, and a heavy rain fall all in the mix.

Travelling to Melbourne in recent times has not brought St George Illawarra much luck having lost their past five matches at ‘The Graveyard’.

The Storm opened the proceedings in spectacular fashion with Israel Folau leaping over his opponent to catch the ball, before dragging a couple of would-be tacklers across the line to score Melbourne’s first try.

Folau demonstrated why he was rated as one of league’s “greatest jumpers” by the Dragons coach Nathan Brown mid-week, with his try showing that he is an unstoppable force when in full flight.

The Storm pushed forward for their second try with Steve Turner diving over the line, however they were denied by the video referee due with the Dragon’s Jason Nightingale forcing Turner out of the field.

Tensions were high, and not long after Turner’s disallowed try the two teams’ frustrations boiled over and an all-in brawl erupted resulting in Billy Slater, Adam Blair and the Dragons’ Jamie Soward given a 10-minute spell on the sidelines to cool down.

Rather than the Dragons capitalising on their numerical advantage on field, a rogue kick from front-rower Jason Ryles at Jeff Lima in the scrum saw him being sent off the field, this time for the remainder of the game.

With Melbourne’s full compliment of players back on the field, and St George one man down, the Storm ramped up the pressure having an immediate effect.

On the stroke of half-time, Lima stormed through a number of Dragon’s defenders to put the ball over the line for Melbourne’s second try of an eventful opening half, sending his team in at the break 10-0 up.

Without dampening the Storm’s drive pushing forward, this time with Jeremy Smith breaking free from the Dragons defenders to secure Storm’s third try. Instead of celebrating the try, Smith reacted to another late tackle, catalysing yet another scuffle between the two teams.

Minutes later an offload in the tackle from Israel Folau found Sika Manu on the run.  The young backrower took off streaming down field leaving several Dragons in his wake, timing an immaculate pass off to Turner out wide.

The Storm were unstoppable, following another Dragons error Melbourne took advantage to see a penalty awarded cementing Matt Geyer’s customary try for the evening.

STORM 26 (Tries: J Smith, Lima, Geyer, Turner, Folau; Goals: C Smith 3) def. DRAGONS 0 at Olympic Park

Melbourne Storm turn to rockclimbing in recovery

Melbourne Storm players will use indoor rock climbing as a training and recovery tool this week after they take on the Dragons in Monday Night Football (NRL) 2008. All sessions will take place at MC Labour Park unless otherwise stated.

Monday, July 21^st:
7.00pm: STORM v DRAGONS (Olympic Park)

Tuesday, July 22^nd:
11.00am: Recovery Session (Hard Rock indoor rock climbing centre, 501 Swanston Street, Melbourne)

Wednesday, July 23^rd:
11.30am: Skills Session

Thursday, July 24^th:
9.00am - 11.15am: Weights
1.00pm: Speed and Ballwork Session

Friday, July 25^th:
10.55am: Flight from Melbourne to Auckland, arriving at 4.15pm (NZST)

Saturday, July 26^th:
10.30am (NZST): Ballwork Session (Venue TBC)

Sunday, July 27^th:
2.00pm (NZST): STORM v WARRIORS (Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland)

Monday, July 28^th:
9.30am (NZST): Recovery Session (Venue TBC)
4.15pm (NZST): Flight from Auckland to Melbourne arriving at 6.15pm

NRL Melbourne Storm vs St George Illawarra Game Notes

WHO: Melbourne Storm v St George Illawarra Dragons
WHAT: Round 19 of the 2008 Telstra Premiership season
WHERE: Olympic Park, Melbourne
WHEN: Monday, July 21st @ 7.00pm
ON TV: Fox Sports 2 LIVE – 7.00pm
CHECK IT OUT: Melbourne Storm’s website with all the latest stats, profiles, updates, schedule and training times, alerts, news etc…. www.melbournestorm.com.au

IN BRIEF
Melbourne were too strong for Wests Tigers last Monday night, defeating them 30-18 at Campbelltown Sports Stadium with Greg Inglis scoring a memorable hat-trick.

The win elevated the Storm into second place on the NRL ladder.

St George Illawarra suffered their first defeat in eight weeks last week, going down to Canberra in Wollongong 19-12. The loss left them in fifth position on the NRL ladder.

FAST FACTS
• St George Illawarra have lost their past five matches at Olympic Park
• Melbourne has won seven of their eight home games this year
• St George Illawarra has won their past six night games
• Melbourne has conceded less than 11 points per game on average at home this year

DID YOU KNOW?
The players’ annual comedy day will take place on Sunday, August 17th at the Comics Lounge in North Melbourne. Starting at 3.00pm and going on well into the night, the event will feature 10 of Melbourne’s best comedians, and will be hosted by Storm Ambassador and comedian Marty Fields.

Tickets are $30 each and are available before the day at the Melbourne Storm or at the Comics Lounge, or on the door on the day.

KEY MATCH UP
Could Greg Inglis’ duel with Mark Gasnier be the individual duel of the year? Gasnier clearly got the better of Inglis in Game I of the State-of-Origin series while Inglis returned the favour in Game II in one of the most dominant individual displays in Origin history. Showdown III between these two may go along way to deciding who really is the best centre in the world.

Gasnier is the Dragons’ leader, and had he not been heading to France next year, would probably be captain of the New South Wales State-of-Origin team next year if recent comments from Blues coach Craig Bellamy are anything to go by. He is the complete package when it comes to centres – strong, powerful, quick and is equally adept at scoring tries or setting them up for teammates. There isn’t much he can’t do and he’ll be looking to leave the Red V with some fond memories, starting with a five star performance in Melbourne against Inglis.

During the week Inglis became the youngest player ever to be named the game’s best player in the coveted Rugby League Week players’ poll. In his past three club games he has scored eight tries, most of them spectacular, and probably scored nine Dally M votes as well. While Inglis has been accused of playing a good game one week and then going missing for a fortnight, he’s really started to put together best-on-ground performances on a regular basis. There’s no doubt he’s the most talented player in the NRL, but if he can produce what he’s capable of week-in week-out, there’s no doubt he will go down in history as one of the game’s greats. And let’s not forget, he is only 21.

HEAD-TO-HEAD NRL RESULTS
Total: Played: 20, Storm: 14, Dragons: 5, Draw: 1
At Olympic Park: Played: 7, Storm: 5, Dragons: 2

FOR AND AGAINST 2008
Points for: Storm: 364, Dragons: 339
Points against: Storm: 227, Dragons: 271
Tries for: Storm: 64, Dragons: 58
Points differential: Storm: +137, Dragons: 68

LAST ROUND MATCHES
Storm def. Wests Tigers 30-18 @ Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
Dragons def. by Raiders 19-12 @ WIN Stadium, Wollongong

LAST EIGHT CLASHES

YEAR	RESULT	VENUE
2008	Dragons def. Storm 36-12 @	ANZ Stadium
2007	Storm def. Dragons 28-6 @	Olympic Park
2007	Storm def. Dragons 26-10 @	Oki Jubilee Stadium
2006	Storm def. Dragons 24-10 @	ANZ Stadium
2006	Storm def. Dragons 34-24 @	Oki Jubilee Stadium
2006	Storm def. Dragons 24-10 @	Olympic Park
2005	Storm def. Dragons 24-16 @	Olympic Park
2005	Storm def. Dragons 46-12 @	WIN Stadium

 

THE STORM STORY SO FAR
WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE: STORM 4 (Try: Hoffman) def. by RHINOS 11 (Try: Donald; Goals: Sinfield 3; Field Goal: Sinfield) at Elland Road, Leeds
ROUND 1: STORM 32 (Tries: Slater 3, Johnson, Tagataese; Goals: C. Smith 5, Turner) def. WARRIORS 18 (Tries: Vatuvei 2, Ropati; Goals: Witt 3) at Telstra Dome, Melbourne
ROUND 2: STORM 16 (Tries: Aitken, White, Falou; Goals: C. Smith 2) def. by SHARKS 17 (Tries: Kearney, Gallen, Simmons; Goals: Covell 2; Field Goals: Kimmorley) at Olympic Park, Melbourne
ROUND 3: Storm (Try: Slater; Goal: C. Smith) def. by ROOSTERS (Try: Kenny-Dowell; Goals: FitzGibbon 3) at Sydney Football Stadium
ROUND 4: STORM 28 (Tries: Quinn 3, Folau, Hoffman; Goals: Smith 4) def. BRONCOS 8 (Tries: Robinson, Stagg) at Olympic Park, Melbourne
ROUND 5: STORM 26 (Tries: Slater 2, Inglis, Quinn, Hoffman; Goals: Smith 3) def. SEA EAGLES 4 (Try: Barney) at Olympic Park
ROUND 6: STORM 23 (Tries: Chambers, Turner, Slater, Folau; Goals: C. Smith 3; Field Goal: Cronk) def. RAIDERS 16 (Tries: Best, Plum, Purtell; Goals: Carney 2) at Canberra Stadium
ROUND 7: STORM 12 (Tries: Inglis, Folau; Goals: C. Smith 2) def. COWBOYS 10 (Tries: Williams 2; Goals: Thurston) at Dairy Farmer’s Stadium
ROUND 8: BYE
ROUND 9: STORM 18 (Tries: Folau 2, Quinn; Goals: C. Smith 3) def. KNIGHTS 4 (Try: Mullen) at Olympic Park, Melbourne
ROUND 10: STORM 12 (Tries: Chambers, Manu; Goals: Smith, Turner) def. by DRAGONS 36 (Tries: Nightingale 2, B. Morris, J Morris, Lett, Soward; Goals: Soward 6) at ANZ Stadium
ROUND 11: STORM 15 (Tries: Chambers, J. Smith; Goals: C. Smith 2, Field Goals: Cronk) def. RABBITOHS 12 (Tries: Vagana 2; Goals: Luke) at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
ROUND 12: STORM 46 (Tries: Geyer 2, C. Smith, Folau, Turner, J. Smith, Crocker, Cronk; Goals: C. Smith 7) def. BULLDOGS 0 at Olympic Park
ROUND 13: STORM 0 def. by TITANS 18 (Tries: Delaney, Meyers, Jeffrey; Goals: Rogers 3) at Skilled Park
ROUND 14: BYE
ROUND 15: STORM 48 (Tries: Inglis 3, Turner 2, J Smith, Slater, Geyer, Folau; Goals: C Smith 6) def. COWBOYS 20 (Tries: Henry, Williams, Webb, Cashmere; Goals: Thurston 2) at Olympic Park
ROUND 16: STORM 22 (Tries: Manu 2, Tomane, Cronk; Goals: Turner 2, Cronk) def. by EELS 24 (Tries: Tautai, Williams, Reddy, Inu; Goals: Burt 4) at Parramatta Stadium
ROUND 17: STORM 30 (Tries: Inglis 2, Slater, Manu, Quinn, Turner; Goals: Smith 3) def. RAIDERS 14 (Tries: Monaghan, Carney, Chalk; Goals: Carney) at Olympic Park
ROUND 18: STORM 30 (Tries: Inglis 3, Slater, Manu; Goals: C. Smith 5) def. TIGERS 18 (Tries: Tuiaki, Hodgson, Ryan; Goals: Hodgson 3) at Campbelltown Sports Stadium

 

2008 TRY SCORERS (STORM)
Slater 10, Inglis 10, Folau 8, Quinn 6, Turner 5, Manu 5, Chambers 3, J. Smith 3, Geyer 3, Hoffman 2, Cronk 2, Johnson, Tagataese, Aitken, White, C. Smith, Crocker, Tomane

 

2008 GOAL SCORERS (STORM)
C. Smith 47, Turner 4, J. Smith, Cronk

 

2008 FIELD GOAL SCORERS (STORM)
Cronk 2

 

2008 POINTSCORERS (STORM)
C Smith 98, Slater 40, Inglis 40, Folau 32, Quinn 24, Turner 20, Manu 20, J. Smith 14, Chambers 12, Geyer 12, Cronk 12, Hoffman 8, Johnson 4, Tagataese 4, Aitken 4, White 4, Crocker 4, Tomane 4

 

MELBOURNE STORM MEDIBANK PRIVATE INJURY UPDATE
Sam Tagataese (shoulder): 1 week
Aidan Guerra (ankle): 2 weeks
Danny Vaughan (knee): season
Ben MacDougall (knee): season
Dane Nielsen (shoulder): season
Will Chambers (knee): season

 

THE STORM AHEAD
Round 20: Sunday, July 27th v Warriors @ Mt Smart Stadium, 2.00pm (AEST)
Round 21: Friday, August 1st v Titans @ Olympic Park, 7.45pm
Round 22: Friday, August 8th v Sea Eagles @ Brookvale Oval, 7.45pm
Round 23: Friday, August 15th v Roosters @ Olympic Park, 7.35pm

 

TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP NRL LADDER

POSITION	CLUB	POINTS
1	Sea Eagles	28
2	Storm	26
3	Roosters	26
4	Sharks	26
5	Dragons	22
6	Titans	22
7	Broncos	21
8	Panthers	19
9	Knights	18
10	Eels	18
11	Raiders	18
12	Wests Tigers	18
13	Warriors	18
14	Rabbitohs	16
15	Bulldogs	14
16	Cowboys	10

 

SQUAD FOR MONDAY'S GAME

Starting team:
1. Billy Slater
2. Steve Turner
3. Matt Geyer
4. Israel Folau
5. Anthony Quinn
6. Greg Inglis
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Jeff Lima
9. Cam Smith
10. Brett White
11. Michael Crocker
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Dallas Johnson

 

Interchange:
14. Jeremy Smith, 15. Adam Blair, 16. Sika Manu, 17. Antonio Kaufusi.

 

Coach: Craig Bellamy.

Official: Mark Gasnier to Quit NRL and play Rugby Union

Announced today at a Dragons press conference, NRL star Mark Gasnier will quit the NRL to play Rugby Union in France from 2009, after 3rd party payment portions of his NRL playing contract were not honoured in recent times.

Gasnier confirmed the move wasn't motivated by money, but explained he has been missing out on 1/3 of his wages because of non-payment by an unnamed entity.

The Dragons however will have a tonne of salary cap freed for their assault on the NRL premiership next year under Wayne Bennett as head coach.

Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers NRL Round 18 2008

WHO: Melbourne Storm v Wests Tigers
WHAT: Round 18 of the 2008 Telstra Premiership season
WHERE: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
WHEN: Monday, July 14^th @ 7.00pm
ON TV: Fox Sports 2 LIVE – 7.00pm
CHECK IT OUT: Melbourne Storm’s website with all the latest stats, profiles, updates, schedule and training times, alerts, news etc…. www.melbournestorm.com.au

 

IN BRIEF
Melbourne welcomed back eight of their nine State-of-Origin stars (Michael Crocker was rested) with a terrific 30-14 win over the Canberra Raiders at Olympic Park. The win left the Storm just two points off the top of the NRL ladder.

 

The Wests Tigers enjoyed a bye in Round 17.

 

FAST FACTS
• Melbourne has won four of their past six clashes with Wests Tigers
• Wests Tigers have lost four of their past five games
• Melbourne average just 13 points away from home
• Wests Tigers have won only two from five at Campbelltown over the past two seasons

 

DID YOU KNOW?
Matt Geyer will celebrate his 250^th Melbourne Storm game on Monday night. Geyer will become the 20^th player to play 250 games for the one club. He will become the 59^th player to play 250 career games.

 

KEY MATCH UP
Injuries have also conspired to deplete the Wests Tigers line-up. Halfback Matthew Head is out with shoulder and thumb injuries while is front-rower Todd Payten is out indefinitely with a hamstring injury. Add Ryan O’Hara (broken jaw) and Danny Galea (ankle) who are out for the season and the casualty ward at Wests Tigers makes for depressing viewing.

 

However, one player they do have fit and firing on the field at the moment is five-eight Benji Marshall. With five line-break assists and six try assists in just nine games, Marshall needs to provide the spark for a side averaging just 1,241 metres of territory a game – the worst in the NRL.

 

His battle with Greg Inglis will be one of the individual clashes of the season. They are arguably the two most exciting players in the competition when on-song, and Monday night could well be where these two light up the night.

 

Since Origin II where he single-handedly destroyed New South Wales and lead Queensland to a 30-0 win at Suncorp Stadium, Inglis has been in career best form. Against Canberra last Sunday coach Craig Bellamy said after the game he believed Inglis had taken his game to another level, not skill-wise, but tough-wise. Inglis has always been the most talented player in the NRL, now he was adding mental toughness to his arsenal as well.

 

HEAD-TO-HEAD
Total: Played: 15, Storm: 15, Wests Tigers: 5
At Campbelltown Stadium: Played: 1, Storm: 1, Wests Tigers: 0

FOR AND AGAINST 2008
Points for: Storm: 334, Wests Tigers: 328
Points against: Storm: 209, Wests Tigers: 348
Tries for: Storm: 59, Wests Tigers: 57
Points differential: Storm: +125, Wests Tigers: -20

LAST ROUND MATCHES
Storm def. Raiders 30-14 @ Olympic Park, Melbourne
Wests Tigers BYE

 

LAST EIGHT CLASHES

YEAR	RESULT	VENUE
2007	Tigers def. Storm 30-12 @	Bluetongue Stadium
2007	Storm def. Tigers 18-16 @	Olympic Park
2006	Storm Tigers 46-4 @	Olympic Park
2006	Tigers def. Storm 30-28 @	Leichhardt Oval
2005	Storm def. Tigers 34-22 @	Olympic Park
2005	Storm def. Tigers 30-14 @	Leichhardt Oval
2004	Tigers def. Storm 32-18 @	Leichhardt Oval
2004	Storm def. Tigers 30-24 @	Olympic Park

 

THE STORM STORY SO FAR
WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE: STORM 4 (Try: Hoffman) def. by RHINOS 11 (Try: Donald; Goals: Sinfield 3; Field Goal: Sinfield) at Elland Road, Leeds
ROUND 1: STORM 32 (Tries: Slater 3, Johnson, Tagataese; Goals: C. Smith 5, Turner) def. WARRIORS 18 (Tries: Vatuvei 2, Ropati; Goals: Witt 3) at Telstra Dome, Melbourne
ROUND 2: STORM 16 (Tries: Aitken, White, Falou; Goals: C. Smith 2) def. by SHARKS 17 (Tries: Kearney, Gallen, Simmons; Goals: Covell 2; Field Goals: Kimmorley) at Olympic Park, Melbourne
ROUND 3: Storm (Try: Slater; Goal: C. Smith) def. by ROOSTERS (Try: Kenny-Dowell; Goals: FitzGibbon 3) at Sydney Football Stadium
ROUND 4: STORM 28 (Tries: Quinn 3, Folau, Hoffman; Goals: Smith 4) def. BRONCOS 8 (Tries: Robinson, Stagg) at Olympic Park, Melbourne
ROUND 5: STORM 26 (Tries: Slater 2, Inglis, Quinn, Hoffman; Goals: Smith 3) def. SEA EAGLES 4 (Try: Barney) at Olympic Park
ROUND 6: STORM 23 (Tries: Chambers, Turner, Slater, Folau; Goals: C. Smith 3; Field Goal: Cronk) def. RAIDERS 16 (Tries: Best, Plum, Purtell; Goals: Carney 2) at Canberra Stadium
ROUND 7: STORM 12 (Tries: Inglis, Folau; Goals: C. Smith 2) def. COWBOYS 10 (Tries: Williams 2; Goals: Thurston) at Dairy Farmer’s Stadium
ROUND 8: BYE
ROUND 9: STORM 18 (Tries: Folau 2, Quinn; Goals: C. Smith 3) def. KNIGHTS 4 (Try: Mullen) at Olympic Park, Melbourne
ROUND 10: STORM 12 (Tries: Chambers, Manu; Goals: Smith, Turner) def. by DRAGONS 36 (Tries: Nightingale 2, B. Morris, J Morris, Lett, Soward; Goals: Soward 6) at ANZ Stadium
ROUND 11: STORM 15 (Tries: Chambers, J. Smith; Goals: C. Smith 2, Field Goals: Cronk) def. RABBITOHS 12 (Tries: Vagana 2; Goals: Luke) at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
ROUND 12: STORM 46 (Tries: Geyer 2, C. Smith, Folau, Turner, J. Smith, Crocker, Cronk; Goals: C. Smith 7) def. BULLDOGS 0 at Olympic Park
ROUND 13: STORM 0 def. by TITANS 18 (Tries: Delaney, Meyers, Jeffrey; Goals: Rogers 3) at Skilled Park
ROUND 14: BYE
ROUND 15: STORM 48 (Tries: Inglis 3, Turner 2, J Smith, Slater, Geyer, Folau; Goals: C Smith 6) def. COWBOYS 20 (Tries: Henry, Williams, Webb, Cashmere; Goals: Thurston 2) at Olympic Park
ROUND 16: STORM 22 (Tries: Manu 2, Tomane, Cronk; Goals: Turner 2, Cronk) def. by EELS 24 (Tries: Tautai, Williams, Reddy, Inu; Goals: Burt 4) at Parramatta Stadium
ROUND 17: STORM 30 (Tries: Inglis 2, Slater, Manu, Quinn, Turner; Goals: Smith 3) def. RAIDERS 14 (Tries: Monaghan, Carney, Chalk; Goals: Carney) at Olympic Park

 

2008 TRY SCORERS (STORM)
Slater 9, Folau 8, Inglis 7, Quinn 6, Turner 5, Manu 4, Chambers 3, J. Smith 3, Geyer 3, Hoffman 2, Cronk 2, Johnson, Tagataese, Aitken, White, C. Smith, Crocker, Tomane

 

2008 GOAL SCORERS (STORM)
C. Smith 42, Turner 4, J. Smith, Cronk

 

2008 FIELD GOAL SCORERS (STORM)
Cronk 2

 

2008 POINTSCORERS (STORM)
C Smith 88, Slater 36, Folau 32, Inglis 28, Quinn 24, Turner 20, Manu 16, J. Smith 14, Chambers 12, Geyer 12, Cronk 12, Hoffman 8, Johnson 4, Tagataese 4, Aitken 4, White 4, Crocker 4, Tomane 4

 

MELBOURNE STORM MEDIBANK PRIVATE INJURY UPDATE
Sam Tagataese (shoulder): 1 week
Aidan Guerra (ankle): 2 weeks
Danny Vaughan (knee): season
Ben MacDougall (knee): season
Dane Nielsen (shoulder): season
Will Chambers (knee): season

 

THE STORM AHEAD
Round 19: Saturday, July 19th v Dragons @ Olympic Park, 5.30pm
Round 20: Sunday, July 27th v Warriors @ Mt Smart Stadium, 2.00pm (AEST)
Round 21: Friday, August 1st v Titans @ Olympic Park, 7.45pm
Round 22: Friday, August 8th v Sea Eagles @ Brookvale Oval, 7.45pm
Round 23: Friday, August 15th v Roosters @ Olympic Park, 7.35pm

 

TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP LADDER

POSITION	CLUB	POINTS
1	Sea Eagles	26
2	Roosters	26
3	Sharks	26
4	Storm	24
5	Dragons	22
6	Broncos	21
7	Titans	20
8	Eels	18
9	Panthers	19
10	Tigers	18
11	Knights	16
12	Raiders	16
13	Warriors	16
14	Rabbitohs	14
15	Bulldogs	12
16	Cowboys	10

 

SQUAD FOR MONDAY'S GAME

Starting team:
1. Billy Slater
2. Steve Turner
3. Matt Geyer
4. Israel Folau
5. Anthony Quinn
6. Greg Inglis
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Jeff Lima
9. Cam Smith
10. Brett White
11. Michael Crocker
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Dallas Johnson

 

Interchange:
14. Jeremy Smith, 15. Adam Blair, 16. Sika Manu, 17. Antonio Kaufusi.

 

Coach: Craig Bellamy.

State of Origin Scott Prince must play for Qld

As the State of Origin Series for 2008 gets into full swing with the NSW Blues taking first blood in the 3 game series, the Queensland Origin selectors must bite the bullet and choose Scott Prince in their team for Game 2 in Queensland.

While Scott Prince went down with his Gold Coast Titans today in a face off against the Wests Tigers, he remains the halfback with the most creativity and his form simply cannot be ignored as he continues to press his claims for a birth in the Queensland maroons side.

While Darren Lockyer remains injured; some say he *may* play in the State of Origin Game 2, but this remains highly unlikely and while Jonathan Thurston is sure to keep his no.7 spot, the change involved Karmichael Hunt and Scott Prince must surely be enacted.

Karmichael Hunt was forced to do too much defence and basically he had no input for the Queensland attack as the NSW Blues forced they way into the lead and never let it go; the side winning the opening ANZ Stadium game in comfortable fashion and under coach Craig Bellamy they remain hot favourites among sports betters, bookies and all NRL punters.

So hold on to your hats, check your odds and if you are a Queensland supporter, for NRL Results, the NRL Table and make sure your selectors choose Scott Prince.

NRL judiciary results

The NRL News team was at the judiciary last night to see Brisbane Broncos fullback Karmichael Hunt escape his shoulder charge ban for his hit on Braith Anasta in last rounds clash. As predicted, many including the panel felt that Anasta had slipped causing no other option but for Karmichael to smash his shoulder into Braiths nose forcing the footy officials to put the incident on report.

The Rugby League quality in that match remained high and the Sydney Roosters this week take on the Melbourne Storm in what should be a classic encounter in Sydney.

For the Broncos, Karmichael Hunt has now been struck down with injury. Meaning all his and the teams hard work at the judiciary was all for nothing and the popular fullback could be sitting out this rounds NRL action from the bench until fully fit.

The Broncos face the North Queensland Cowboys in this Round 3 2008 match up and many felt the Broncos were specials with Karmichael Hunt in the lineup.

At this stage, its not known how the Broncos will cover positionally. We may even see the worlds best player in Darren Lockyer move back to his old position of fullback and make way for someone else at pivot.

Forgotten men, Canberra Raiders

The Canberra Raiders used to be called the Green Machine. Housing Rugby League royalty in the 1990's - Laurie Daley, Ricky Stuart and Mal Meninga were the stars of the show. Taking the side to footy greatness and winning the competition several times. They were the benchmark.

In 2008, the Raiders consistently struggle for positive NRL Results. They have a seemingly strong coach, they have talented players and while the ACT isn't Sydney - they have a crowd and home all of their own to tap into.

Whats missing? Its hard to say. But tonight the Raiders face fellow strugglers the Penrith Panthers. They will get no better chance to grab a win and get their NRL season underway than at CUA Stadium. Also in the mix, is their old coach Matt Elliott is all makes for good theatre and maybe, just maybe - those Green Men can get it together.

NRL Results mixed in Round 2

With NRL Round 2 getting underway last night, the NRL Results are immediately mixed as two outsiders in the Bulldogs and the Broncos managed to upset their opponents, Souths and the Sydney Roosters as the 2nd round gets into full swing.

Big hits and controversy again weren't far away with Braith Anasta copping a badly broken nose as Karmichael Hunt slammed him in a misguided shoulder charge.

The Souths boys and coach Jason Taylor are also under the pump now after losing to Steve Folkes and his revived Bulldogs in a second half comeback.