Round 19
Melbourne Storm 34 d. Canberra Raiders 6

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Canberra fans raise money for Henry's Breach Notice
Wed July 25, 2007
Canberra fans over on The Greenhouse forum (not affiliated with the Grandstand Forums) have started raising money for coach Neil Henry to cover the $10,000 breach notice issued by the NRL over comments made about NRL referee Jared Maxwell after the Raiders loss to the Storm in Round 19.

Personally, I haven't seen the match so I won't comment on whether I agree with Henry's comments or not. However, what I do know is that the NRL refereeing fraternity are somewhat of a protected species and with the standard of officiating currently seen in the game, it's time for the NRL to recognise where there's smoke, there's likely to be fire.

In nearly 100 years of First Grade Rugby League competition, about the only thing that hasn't changed is that we have a single central referee. With the pace of today's game, this puts a massive strain on the man in the middle under an increasingly intense spotlight.

However, the NRL's tactics have been to appoint Referees bosses and assistant Referee's bosses and come up with ways to help the single man in the middle. Some of these tactics, such as the infamous Bill Harrigan "tip sheet", might have sounded good in theory but in practice they not only make the job harder for the referee with more things to think of, but they leave the refereeing fraternity open to comments like Henry's - not the first coach to comment in such a way I might add.

Worse still, referees aren't required to front up post-match and explain things to the media or the club staff. They are shielded from this, with current assistant to Robert Finch, Bill Harrigan being the one to "explain" after the round the decisions they believe need explaining; often done on a drive-time AM show that not everyone listens to.

I'd encourage all Raiders fans, and Rugby League fans for that matter, to send a message that the fans have simply had a gutful. I know plenty feel this way, because rleague.com is regularly inundated with article feedback and emails to the site with similar sentiment.


Storm delivers finals blow to Raiders
Sat July 21, 2007
Source: www.melbournestorm.com.au

Melbourne has delivered a crushing blow to Canberra's finals aspirations with a clinical display, disposing of the visitors 34-6 at Olympic Park.

In front of 8,983 fans, the Storm extended their winning streak over the boys from the capital to 11 wins, with the Raiders' last win at Olympic Park coming back in 2000.

"I thought we could have scored a few more tries actually," said Storm head coach Craig Bellamy of his team's performance.

"We got off to a good start, then we lost our way there with some (poor) handling. We just couldn't get out of our own half, we kept dropping the footy.

"The Raiders came down here for a grind and their defensive line was very tight.

"It turned into a bit of a grind in the second half and I was happy with the way we competed."

The win was particularly special for Ryan Hoffman and Dallas Johnson, who both celebrated their 100th games in Storm colours with sensational performances.

The Storm's 26th win in their past 27 matches at what has been dubbed "The Graveyard", looked likely from as early as the 5th minute when Matt Geyer crossed in the corner after some fine lead-up work.

Further tries to Israel Folau and Greg Inglis in the first-half made it difficult for the Raiders, and it seemed as though the scoreline may blow out if the Storm lifted a gear.

And that's exactly what happened.

The second-half was even better than the first, with tries to Inglis, Steve Turner and Matt King securing the two points for the Storm and moving Melbourne a step closer to back-to-back minor premierships.

The Storm next take on the Roosters at Aussie Stadium next Friday night.

STORM 34 (Tries: Inglis 2, Geyer, Folau, S. Turner, King; Goals: Smith 5) def. RAIDERS 6 (Try: G. Turner; Goal: Dobson)

Report sent by: www.melbournestorm.com.au

Fri July 20, 2007
• Round 19 Storm v Raiders Game Notes
  

Advanced Search