Melbourne Storm

[Druzik]

All news related to Melbourne here.

[Druzik]

www.leaguehq.com.au/news/lhqmatchreport/golden-start-for-storm/2009/03/13/1236919571453.html

Inglis the perfect poster boy
Glenn Jackson | March 14, 2009
Storm 17 Dragons 16 (extra time)

It has hardly been a golden period in the NRL, but we can still have a golden game. A golden-point game, to be precise, and a damn good one at the end of a damned week.

Dragons winger Wendell Sailor ran 50 metres, huffing and puffing but blowing the game wide open, to send Matt Cooper over with just three minutes remaining. Jamie Soward converted from the sidelines to send the game into extra-time.

The game had been crying out for the football to start and, with a sexual assault charge hanging over Brett Stewart's head, officials were probably hoping this game would never end.

It did, when Greg Inglis calmly kicked the winning field-goal just over three minutes into the extra period. It was truly fitting.

Inglis, of course, also starred in the NRL ad which had to be canned after Manly's boozy launch ended with charges against Stewart.

The new focus of the ad will be Inglis and the focus last night was certainly him as well.

Inglis has added about six kilograms in the off season, and he put his extra size to good use after 15 minutes. After Soward had slotted a sixth-minute penalty, Inglis aimed his own form of justice at the Dragons five-eighth, deliberately aiming at him and then bumping him off. He then burrowed over to score the first try of the contest.

That's called using your tread and your head in one play.

He was regularly hard to handle, even after appearing to do some damage to his knee very early in the contest. The Storm used him perfectly; not too much to be predictable but little enough to ensure he was given enough space to be effective. A charge there, a barge there, and a gigantic bomb which was too hot for Sailor to handle. He scored one but could have had another when he was denied by the whistle; no advantage being ruled to have been taken after Adam Blair lost possession and Inglis forced the ball away from his former teammate Jeremy Smith.

Not long after, he juggled, stood tall through Soward's attempted tackle and offloaded to Wairangi Koopu. The former Warrior found Anthony Quinn, who then sent over Cooper Cronk. The big plays were all coming from the big(ger) Storm five-eighth.

There is no doubt, too, that he is becoming more accustomed to the position. He was meant to play in the centres this season, with coach Craig Bellamy appearing to show he had dispensed with his plan to turn Inglis from a world-class centre into a five-eighth when he bought a No.6 in Arana Taumata

When Taumata was shown the door, Inglis got the jumper back.

The Dragons, with Wayne Bennett in the coaching box, showed enough to suggest they can also improve.

They may not have the gamebreakers in the side but Bennett has a team which can break an opponent even if the individuals can't break a game.

The Dragons had been slow and cumbersome in their previous outing, the Charity Shield loss to South Sydney, however, they played with far more purpose when it really counted.

They hurried the Storm and, while captain Ben Hornby's first-half try was a bit lucky - he picked up a loose ball after Anthony Quinn lost possession - the visitors had a "you make your own luck" feel about them.

You need to against Melbourne. They have so many game-breakers in their line-up that you need to rely on the occasional mistake from them. And there was no doubt the Storm were a little rusty, hardly surprising at this early stage of the rugby league year. They came out to Thunderstruck but maybe they were a little dumbstruck by their loss in last year's grand final to Manly.

Fullback Billy Slater dropped the ball from an elementary kick. Quinn hinted things really were out of whack when he played the ball in the wrong direction, and the pack lost a scrum against the head. The surest sign that they needed work was when captain Cam Smith, playing dumb more than dumbstruck, asked the referee: "What's a chicken wing?"

The new season is not always difficult to grapple with.

MELBOURNE 17 (C Cronk G Inglis B Slater tries C Smith 2 goals G Inglis field goal) bt ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 16 (M Cooper B Hornby tries J Soward 4 goals) at Olympic Park. Referee: G Badger, Shayne Hayne. Crowd: 14,870.

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[stxangiexjo]

First time in history probably that the Storm/Warriors game outrated some AFL game in crowd numbers.

Storm/Warriors- Around 15K
West Coast/??- Less that 14500K

[stxangiexjo]

Change of pace for Melbourne Storm's Anthony Quinn

THE first thing Anthony Quinn could recall from Saturday night was being told by doctors at Epworth hospital he needed scans on his neck.

The Melbourne Storm winger was knocked unconscious, and out for nearly 10 minutes, after copping an accidental knee to the temple during Storm's 14-14 draw with the New Zealand Warriors.

Quinn came to in the ambulance but could not remember anything, including a two-hour chat with his partner Frances, until he was being rolled away for tests.

Quinn, who has been ruled out of Friday night's grand final rematch with Manly at Brookvale Oval, left hospital late on Saturday night and is suffering no ill-effects of the severe concussion, but he is not without problems.

"I can't play my PlayStation, at least for a week. Call of Duty 5, that's my main game," he said yesterday. "I remember bits of the game, then waking in hospital to get a scan on my head, so I knew something had happened.

"But everything was good. Everything seemed normal.

"We couldn't find where it actually hit until Sunday when I felt a bit of soreness. There was no lump or bruising."

Quinn has watched a replay of the incident, but only once.

While upset at missing the Manly clash, he is content to do everything he is told to make a perfect recovery.

"I'm feeling OK. The main thing is to be sensible, not rush in to anything," he said.

"I'll just do bits and pieces until I'm all good."

The loss of Quinn has added to the selection dilemma for Storm coach Craig Bellamy. He also has to replace young forward Kevin Proctor, who broke an ankle against the Warriors.

Proctor will miss up to 12 weeks, and while Bellamy has a perfect replacement in Sika Manu, who hasn't played this year because of hamstring issues, the coach said he wouldn't rush him back.

"We'd like him back as quick as we can but we are not, after all this time, going to bring him back a week early if it puts him back again," Bellamy said.

"I'll sort of push the medical staff but it's more likely it will be next week."

New Storm players Matt Cross and Hep Cahill are possible replacements for Manu, while Jo Tomane and Brett Anderson could fill Quinn's spot.

Memories of last year's 40-0 grand final thrashing by Manly remain fresh in the minds of most at Storm, but Bellamy said Friday's clash was not about revenge.

"It's a new game, different teams, we are certainly a different team," he said.

"It is Round 8 of 2009, Manly v Melbourne. It's got nothing to do with the past, that's gone."

www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25397116-11088,00.html

[Druzik]

Apr 30, 2009 9:59:44 GMT 10 stxangiexjo said:

Change of pace for Melbourne Storm's Anthony Quinn

THE first thing Anthony Quinn could recall from Saturday night was being told by doctors at Epworth hospital he needed scans on his neck.

The Melbourne Storm winger was knocked unconscious, and out for nearly 10 minutes, after copping an accidental knee to the temple during Storm's 14-14 draw with the New Zealand Warriors.

Quinn came to in the ambulance but could not remember anything, including a two-hour chat with his partner Frances, until he was being rolled away for tests.

Quinn, who has been ruled out of Friday night's grand final rematch with Manly at Brookvale Oval, left hospital late on Saturday night and is suffering no ill-effects of the severe concussion, but he is not without problems.

"I can't play my PlayStation, at least for a week. Call of Duty 5, that's my main game," he said yesterday. "I remember bits of the game, then waking in hospital to get a scan on my head, so I knew something had happened.

"But everything was good. Everything seemed normal.

"We couldn't find where it actually hit until Sunday when I felt a bit of soreness. There was no lump or bruising."

Quinn has watched a replay of the incident, but only once.

While upset at missing the Manly clash, he is content to do everything he is told to make a perfect recovery.

"I'm feeling OK. The main thing is to be sensible, not rush in to anything," he said.

"I'll just do bits and pieces until I'm all good."

The loss of Quinn has added to the selection dilemma for Storm coach Craig Bellamy. He also has to replace young forward Kevin Proctor, who broke an ankle against the Warriors.

Proctor will miss up to 12 weeks, and while Bellamy has a perfect replacement in Sika Manu, who hasn't played this year because of hamstring issues, the coach said he wouldn't rush him back.

"We'd like him back as quick as we can but we are not, after all this time, going to bring him back a week early if it puts him back again," Bellamy said.

"I'll sort of push the medical staff but it's more likely it will be next week."

New Storm players Matt Cross and Hep Cahill are possible replacements for Manu, while Jo Tomane and Brett Anderson could fill Quinn's spot.

Memories of last year's 40-0 grand final thrashing by Manly remain fresh in the minds of most at Storm, but Bellamy said Friday's clash was not about revenge.

"It's a new game, different teams, we are certainly a different team," he said.

"It is Round 8 of 2009, Manly v Melbourne. It's got nothing to do with the past, that's gone."

www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25397116-11088,00.html

I heard about this, I wasnt listening to this particular game, but that must have looked pretty nasty on TV.

Hope he's OK.

[Druzik]

www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,25406464-5006066,00.html

League storms into AFL's fortress
By James Phelps | April 30, 2009 12:00am

MEET the two AFL wunderkinds who have done the unthinkable in Melbourne: dumped Aussie rules for rugby league.
Tom Goodwin, the son of former Demons star Andy, and former Victorian under-14s captain Cameron Hansen are at the vanguard of a bold counterattack by the NRL on its rival code - in the heart of enemy territory.

And The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Victorian Government is backing the foray.

Following revelations yesterday that the AFL's second Sydney team has bombed, it has emerged the Victorian Government is giving rugby league $400,000 a year to take it to the AFL in Melbourne.

"The ARL committed a series of games down here," Victorian ARL development officer Dylan Hides said. "They included State of Origin matches and the World Cup. The Victorian Government came in to bed with us to put some serious money into the development of the game."

Former Kangaroos fullback Greg Brentnall, who also played senior AFL, is rugby league's general fighting for the code in Bleak City.

A Daily Telegraph investigation can reveal:

 THE ARL, Victorian Government and Melbourne Storm are spending a combined $1.4 million to develop rugby league in the southern state;

 RUGBY league club registrations have doubled in the past four years to 1450;

 SINCE 2006, $8 million has been ploughed into Victorian rugby league;

 A NATIONAL pathway to the NRL has been established with a Melbourne SG Ball (under-18) side and a Toyota Cup (under-20) side established;

 RUGBY league has 94 teams playing in weekend competitions in Victoria, and;

 MORE than 34,000 players participated in rugby league through Victorian schools.

"We are making steady inroads into the market on the back of our investment and the success of the Storm," Brentnall told The Daily Telegraph at a school rugby league carnival on the outskirts of Melbourne. "Even last year our club numbers went up 24 per cent which was very good in the current climate."

Like the AFL in Sydney, rugby league has recorded stunning growth in Melbourne schools with Joey League - a similar program to AusKick.

"Our biggest growth area is the schools," Brentnall said. "We have been able to put on some serious staff with the money.

"We have eight full-time development officers and a development boss. We also have a cultural officer (ex-Storm player Matt Rua)."

[stxangiexjo]

That's great.

Now they just need to show games at a decent hour, possible entice the neutral fans in to the game.

OP seats around 18 000. The bubble close to 30 000. Hopefully their crowds grow with better facilities available etc.

[Druzik]

May 1, 2009 11:13:41 GMT 10 stxangiexjo said:

That's great.

Now they just need to show games at a decent hour, possible entice the neutral fans in to the game.

OP seats around 18 000. The bubble close to 30 000. Hopefully their crowds grow with better facilities available etc.

Is that what they are calling it... the bubble... Goof facilities do make a hell of a difference, but not always the only thinkg to increase crowds.

I think they need to make sure that Victorian juniors start coming through soon, have the locals and they will bring the locals.

You based in Melbourne?

[stxangiexjo]

Nah I'm in Brisbane.

The Melbourne Storm Under 18's made it in to the Finals and this is their first year. ;D There are 17 Victorians in the 30 man squad.

Some are tipped to be picked for the Toyota Cup team and then you never know. We might have our first Victorian born and bred playing for the NRL first grade...

[Druzik]

May 2, 2009 16:26:00 GMT 10 stxangiexjo said:

Nah I'm in Brisbane.

The Melbourne Storm Under 18's made it in to the Finals and this is their first year. ;D There are 17 Victorians in the 30 man squad.

Some are tipped to be picked for the Toyota Cup team and then you never know. We might have our first Victorian born and bred playing for the NRL first grade...

Wasn't Timanah Tahu a victorian born player... OK he took up the sport in NSW but he was a Mexiacn born.

Brisbane... hey. My folks live up there so spend alot of time there when in the country.

Good news on the Storm and Vic players, hopefully we will see them start to come through, never know SoO one day might expand to 3 states.

[stxangiexjo]

Tahu moved to NSW when he was 12. I've got $100 on Rob Kurth playing first grade in five or so years. Born and bred in Mexico. A miracle that he chose RL over AFL....

[Druzik]

May 2, 2009 17:02:50 GMT 10 stxangiexjo said:

Tahu moved to NSW when he was 12. I've got $100 on Rob Kurth playing first grade in five or so years. Born and bred in Mexico. A miracle that he chose RL over AFL....

Is there a list of the Vic juniors coming through and their junior clubs (victorian ones I assume).

I woudlnt mind seeing the VIC Cup come upto a better standard to like what the NSW and QLD cups are to let the Vic players go and play there.

[stxangiexjo]

May 2, 2009 17:42:38 GMT 10 Druzik said:

May 2, 2009 17:02:50 GMT 10 stxangiexjo said:

Tahu moved to NSW when he was 12. I've got $100 on Rob Kurth playing first grade in five or so years. Born and bred in Mexico. A miracle that he chose RL over AFL....

Is there a list of the Vic juniors coming through and their junior clubs (victorian ones I assume).

I woudlnt mind seeing the VIC Cup come upto a better standard to like what the NSW and QLD cups are to let the Vic players go and play there.

:-XMy bad I forgot about Jake Webster. He was born in Melbourne and played with the Devils and under 20's. I think he plays Union or SL now.

List of Victorian Rugby League Clubs
www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-2121-0-0-0

Yeah a VIC cup would be awesome. I think they had competition with clubs which were curtain raisers to Storm games. They were replaced by the NYC.

[Druzik]

Thanks for that. 14 teams in Victoria, thats actually not too bad. Should be enough to produce some decent players for Victoria.

Have to see how they go in the Affiliated states comp this year.

[stxangiexjo]

Under-18’s through to Grand Final
The Age
Monday, May 04, 2009

MELBOURNE Storm's under-18 team is in the grand final of the S. G. Ball competition in a remarkable first season after it yesterday beat Manly 28-14 in Sydney.

It was a performance coach Kim Williams described as far from its best game, with the team struggling with ball control and composure close to the line.

However, Melbourne relied on its defence to take it to a match-up on Saturday in Sydney against the Bulldogs, who beat Brisbane Norths yesterday.

The Bulldogs are the competition's top-scoring team with wins including 62-10 over North Sydney and 82-6 over Central Coast.

Williams has watched his team grow in confidence as it surprised one favoured team after another and believed it had the game to counter the Bulldogs, a team it was yet to play this year.

"They didn't put their best game together," Williams said of his players.

"They dropped a fair bit of ball but their defence was outstanding. I'm proud of the character they have shown and we're a big chance next week … if anyone would have said to us at the beginning of the season we'd make the grand final we'd find that pretty hard to believe."

www.melbournestorm.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=16176

This their first year in the SG ball. ;D Really hope they take it out