Round 21
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 16 l. Melbourne Storm 17

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

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

Storm survives close encounter
Mon August 6, 2007
Source: www.melbournestorm.com.au

The Melbourne Storm came back from an early Cronulla Sharks onslaught to post a gutsy 17-16 win at Shark Park, with the boot of Cooper Cronk the difference in a thrilling finish.

The Storm overcame a 14-point first-half deficit to clinch the victory and had to do so without key players Cameron Smith and Steve Turner who were both rested by coach Craig Bellamy.

"We ran into a committed footy team and we knew that was going to happen," said a relieved Bellamy.

"I just thought we hung in their really well.

"We weren't at our best at the start of the game, certainly 14-0 down wasn't a great thing for us, but we ground our way back and we didn't try and take any shortcuts. We just kept working at what we're good at, and we learnt a few lessons from last week."

One minute into the game the Storm were stunned by some enterprising Sharks play that saw Cronulla deep in Melbourne's half. Halfback Brett Seymour chipped over the defensive line and was able to again toe the ball forward before a Storm defender could reach it. As the ball entered the in-goal area, Henry Perenara pounced and grounded it, leaving the Cronulla fans to celebrate a dream start.

A pile of possession, some willing play and a penalty goal saw the Sharks further assert themselves; Melbourne were in for a fight.

After surviving a few near misses, the Storm were close to hitting back with Anthony Quinn putting the ball down after Ryan Hoffman's desperate last-tackle pass met Greg Inglis's foot. The video referee, however, adjudicated that Quinn didn't gather the ball properly and it was back to the drawing board.

At the other end of the field, the Sharks extended their lead with a Ben Pomeroy try out wide. Luke Covell slotted the conversion from the sideline and at 14?0, the Storm had a mountain to climb.

They had done it before against the Sharks, coming from 22?0 down to win in 2003; a game notable not only for the stunning comeback but also for the debut of Billy Slater, who coincidently played his 100th game tonight.

The Storm's first points were sparked by Inglis, who took a risk and chipped in his own half, regathered and gave the Storm a chance to attack. It was the perfect fillip and Matt King made no mistake when Slater delivered him a smart pass with the line only metres away.

Debutant kicker Israel Folau made the difficult conversion look as effortless as one of his tries and the Storm looked to be back in the game.

The comeback continued for Melbourne when Quinn ripped through the centre of the field to deliver the Storm another opportunity to score. Cronk kicked for King who plucked the ball from the sky and in a flash tossed it to Ryan Hoffman, who thundered for the line and signaled that the Storm were not going to let this game get away from them.

Folau once again produced a sweet conversion and Melbourne only trailed by two at the half-time break.

Slater seemingly gave the Storm the lead soon after the second half began. From five metres out, the fullback broke a tackle and planted the ball on the line, but the video referee deemed a double movement.

Momentum, however, had shifted in Melbourne's favour and Will Chambers also looked unlucky to be called for a knock-on when he picked up a loose ball with only the try-line in his sights.

The try Melbourne needed finally arrived after Inglis stripped the ball against the run of play and accelerated into Sharks' territory. With Cronulla on the back foot the Storm pressed forward and quick hands eventually found Folau, who surged for the line and reached out, leaving no doubt that four points were in the bag.

The Sharks, though, never gave in and soon after hit back with another penalty goal, leveling the scores with only ten minutes to go.

With tries hard to come by, a field goal shoot-out began to take shape.

Cronk fired the first salvo, attempting a monster from 48 metres out. The Queenslander missed.

Moments later his opposite number, Seymour had a close-range shot, but it only found the hands of Slater, who snatched the ball form the sky before it could sail over the cross bar.

With time ticking away, the Storm once again drove forward and this time Cronk managed to hit his target from 20 metres out. Tension was added when the video referee was called upon to rule on a possible obstruction, but Melbourne eventually got the vital point it was after.

In the final seconds of the match, more drama was heaped on when Luke Covell had the opportunity to level the scores, but his thumping field goal attempt from halfway fell just short of the mark. Slater diffused the ball and the Storm left the field with a hard-fought win.

Things don't get any easier for Melbourne as they prepare for the huge Grand Final rematch this Sunday at 3:00pm against the Brisbane Broncos at Olympic Park.

STORM 17 (Tries: King, Hoffman, Folau; Goals: Folau 2; Field Goal: Cronk) def. SHARKS 16 (Tries: Perenara, Pomeroy; Goals: Covell 4)

Report sent by: www.melbournestorm.com.au


Triple M to broadcast Storm vs Sharks LIVE into Melbourne
Sun August 5, 2007
Source: www.melbournestorm.com.au

Triple M has once again shown its support for the Melbourne Storm by broadcasting LIVE into Melbourne this Monday night's do-or-die clash against the Cronulla Sharks.

For the Storm it is a chance to prove to any doubters last week's shock loss to the Roosters was a minor hiccup, and show why they are premiership favourites; while a loss for the Sharks would end any hopes they had of taking part in the finals series come September.

General Manager Austereo in Melbourne, Ben Amarfio, is delighted to be broadcasting the game live into Melbourne on Monday night for the third time this season.

"Triple M is really looking forward to broadcasting the Storm game live from Sydney and strengthening our relationship with the Storm as we continue to broadcast the Monday night games," said Amarfio.

"We are also really excited about when the Storm tackles the finals series."

Melbourne Storm CEO Brian Waldron is delighted with Triple M's commitment to broadcasting Monday night football into Melbourne.

"With Melbourne Storm's nationwide supporter base of approximately three-quarters of a million people, Triple M's continuing partnership for Storm's Monday night games is a great opportunity for us to continue to grow the Storm influence in the Melbourne market," said Waldron.

"We have been thrilled with Triple M's commitment to broadcast Melbourne Storm's Monday night games in 2007, and we thank them for their ongoing support."

The broadcast will begin at 6:30pm with kick-off at 7:00pm. The action will be called by Mark Geyer, Kevin Walters and Jimmy Smith.

What: Melbourne Storm Vs Cronulla Sharks
When: Monday, August 6th
Where: Toyota Park, Sydney
Time: 7.00pm kick-off, Triple M broadcast from 6.30pm

News sent by: www.melbournestorm.com.au

Tue July 31, 2007
• Stuart makes some subtle changes
  

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