ethos
BroncoKiwi
Can anyone beat the Storm?
August 20th 2008 08:21
Category: Opinion
The question is simple… can anyone stop the Melbourne Storm from claiming the 2008 Premiership?
They have the best team on paper, the best coach and gameplan in the competition, a ridiculously awesome home ground record and a ruthless mindset. Pretty imposing if you ask me.
But let’s have a look at some of the main contenders for the title.
The Manly Sea Eagles are the second best team in the competition but in my opinion are really no closer to toppling Melbourne than any other side. In their Round 22 clash, Manly threw absolutely everything (including several kitchen sinks) at the Storm and still lost. It will be interesting to see how the Manly players respond mentally if these two teams play again – they must have some doubts in the back of their mind.
To be blunt there’s no way the Cronulla Sharks’ attack will be able to penetrate the Storm defence, while the Sydney Roosters don’t have the experience out wide to contain the likes of Inglis, Folau, Slater and Cronk.
As a staunch Brisbane Broncos supporter I believe my team may have a slight chance of beating the Storm when it counts. If (and it’s a very big if) the forwards can muscle up I have every faith that Darren Lockyer can steer the backline to victory. Karmichael Hunt and Justin Hodges know what it takes to beat the Storm. But the biggest concern for the Broncos is their immediate form – if they don’t win their next three, they won’t challenge Melbourne.
And then there’s the Canberra Raiders, who have been the most entertaining side over the past month. I’d love to see them progress deep into the finals series but realistically speaking they struggle away from home and I can’t see them beating the better defensive units.
The Parramatta Eels are a bit of a dark horse. Remarkably they’re still in the running for the finals and, If they can scrape into the top eight, I reckon they might give either Melbourne or Manly a run for their money in week one. The Eels have rediscovered their confidence and any team containing Jarryd Hayne, Krisnan Inu, Feleti Mateo and Nathan Hindmarsh is a threat.
But what are your thoughts? Will the Storm cruise to their second consecutive title? Or will another contender emerge from the pack?
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Comment by Anonymous
Comment by ethos
NRL Live
The Sharks wins over Melbourne and Manly came in round one and two. I think it's far to say that they're both much tougher opposition now than they were then.
Cronulla definitely have the right attitude but I don't think they've got enough individual talent in the backline to trouble the better teams.
It'd be nice to see the Sharks finally break their premiership virginity after 40 long years but I can't see it happening.
It'll be interesting to watch how it all pans out though!
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by ethos
NRL Live
Only time will tell I suppose.