In an entertaining second game of the Optus Stadium double header on Saturday night, it was Cameron Smith’s Melbourne Storm who beat the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 36-18.
MATCH REPORT
Though they lost by 18 points, the Bulldogs deserve credit for their effort, with the debutants doing their part. Melbourne played as well as predicted, with Cameron Munster one of their best after the Storm lost Billy Slater to a shoulder complaint. The Perth fans got their money’s worth in the Optus Stadium double header.
FOUR POINTERS
MUNSTER STEPS UP
Following Slater’s loss, the Storm drafted Cameron Munster at fullback. He was strong in both attack and defence, with an 87 per cent tackle success rate, with three try assists that allowed his team to gain momentum.
UNQUESTIONABLY ENTERTAINING
The Perth double header was highly anticipated, and the teams delivered. The Rabbitohs and Warriors opened with a quality match, and the Bulldogs and Storm followed up. Both teams played well, however it was Melbourne who walked away with the points. It was a high quality game and both teams should be impressed with their efforts in the opening round of 2018
NEW BULLDOGS STEP UP
Aaron Woods and Kieran Foran debuted in the blue and white jersey on Saturday night in Perth. They look as though they will fit nicely into the roster for 2018 and beyond. Aaron Woods was defensively strong and Foran showed a lot of potential and skill.
PICKED UP WHERE THEY LEFT OFF
Melbourne’s off season was spent growing new partnerships after Cooper Cronk’s departure, and while they weren’t absolutely perfect, they reminded us of their capabilities as a team. They played impressively and look like they will have another successful season.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“Definitely some promising signs there that we can play some decent football” – Dean Pay, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs coach
“I thought we were pretty untidy at times, but you expect that usually in round one” – Craig Bellamy, Melbourne Storm coach
THE RESULT
Tries: Josh Addo-Carr 2, Ryley Jacks, Curtis Scott, Kenneath Bromwich, Suliasi Vunivalu
Goals: Cameron Smith 6
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 18
Tries: Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Brett Morris, Matt Frawley
Goals: Moses Mbye 3
SQUADS
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
- Moses Mbye 2. Brett Morris 3. Josh Morris 4. Will Hopoate 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Frawley 7. Kieran Foran 8. Aaron Woods 9. Michael Lichaa 10. David Klemmer 11. Josh Jackson 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Danny Fualalo 14. Adam Elliott 15. Aiden Tolman 16. Greg Eastwood 17. Jeremy Marshall-King
Melbourne Storm
- Cameron Munster, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Ryley Jacks, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Dale Finucane 14. Tim Glasby 15. Kenny Bromwich 16. Christian Welch 17. Joe Stimson
https://nothingbutleague.com/2018/02/10/2018-season-preview-melbourne-storm/
