Josh Mercer previews the Saturday evening clash between the third-placed Storm and the 10th-placed Knights.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Newcastle Knights Vs Melbourne Storm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Date: Saturday, July 22, 5:30pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott 14. Kurt Mann 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Enari Tuala 20. Brodie Jones 21. Hymel Hunt 22. Adam Clune
Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 13. Josh King 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Tom Eisenhuth 16. Tariq Sims 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Bronson Garlick 19. Chris Lewis 20. Jayden Nikorima 21. Marion Seve 22. George Jennings
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Knights looked refreshed after coming off the bye at the beginning of their game against the Wests Tigers, racing out to an 18-point lead with tries to Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew, Daniel Saifiti, and Dominic Young. It looked like the Tigers were in for another long night.
To their credit, the Tigers fought back to be behind by a converted try at half-time. Kalyn Ponga reminded everyone of his skill, scoring an excellent try. The Tigers weren’t done just yet, as Jahream Bula got them within four points. The Knights scored two good tries to run out victors, but the Tigers pushed them.
While there are plenty of dangermen for the Storm, the Knights must ensure they contain Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes. It’s easier said than done, but there have been a couple of times when either player has had a quiet night. Dane Gagai returns from injury this week, but it won’t be enough to rattle the Storm. While they are on opposite sides, seeing Xavier Coates and Dominic Young in open space will be interesting.
The Storm will get better from here as they run towards the finals. They needed to hit back after their loss to the Panthers. Coming up against a Roosters side needing a win, no team asserted their dominance in the first half, with the scores 6-all at halftime.
The action picked up in the second half. Xavier Coates added two more tries for another hat-trick against the Roosters. The Melbourne forwards started to get over the top of their opponents, which should send chills down the spine of any top eight side.
For the Storm, the forwards must lay a platform for Hughes and Munster to do their magic. The Knights have some good forwards, but can they match it with the Storm? We will find out this week. It will be hard to stop a Craig Bellamy side this close to the finals.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Storm 10, Knights 0.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Storm by 16.
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