Game Day chat and Info Chat thread

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Berkeley_Eagle

Current Status: 24/7 Manly Fan
MELBOURNE STORM
1. Billy Slater
2. Steve Turner, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Israel Folau, 5. Anthony Quinn
6. Greg Inglis, 7. Cooper Cronk
8. Jeff Lima, 9. Cam Smith ©, 10. Adam Blair
11. Jeremy Smith, 12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Dallas Johnson

Int - 14. Matt Geyer, 15. Antonio Kaufusi, 16. Michael Crocker, 17. Clifford Manua
Res - 18. Sika Manu

MANLY SEA EAGLES
1 Brett Stewart
2 Michael Robertson, 3 Steve Bell, 4 Jamie Lyon, 5 Michael Bani
6 Luke Williamson, 7 Matt Orford ©
8 Jason King, 9 Matt Ballin, 10 Brent Kite
11 Anthony Watmough, 12 Glenn Stewart
13 Steve Menzies

Int - 14 Josh Perry, 15 Glenn Hall, 16 Adam Cuthbertson, 17 Mark Bryant
Res - 18 Heath L'Estrange, 19 Jack Afamasaga




Overall Head-to-head Records
Played 11; Melbourne 6, Manly 5

Head-to-head at Olympic Park
Played 4; Melbourne 4, Manly 0

Record Crowd these Clubs (Excludes Finals)
18640 at Brookvale Oval, 26/5/2007 (Rd 11), Manly Won 13 - 12

Last 10 Games Head-to-head: Played 10; Melbourne 5, Manly 5

Melbourne 34 - 8 ANZ Stadium 30/9/2007 (Rd 29)
Manly 13 - 12 Brookvale Oval 26/5/2007 (Rd 11)
Melbourne 30 - 20 Olympic Park 2/9/2006 (Rd 26)
Manly 34 - 12 Brookvale Oval 20/5/2006 (Rd 11)
Manly 25 - 18 Brookvale Oval 27/3/2005 (Rd 3)
Manly 30 - 28 Brookvale Oval 5/9/2004 (Rd 26)
Melbourne 40 - 10 Olympic Park 6/9/2003 (Rd 26)
Manly 20 - 14 Brookvale Oval 20/4/2003 (Rd 6)
Melbourne 19 - 18 Brookvale Oval 27/6/1999 (Rd 17)
Melbourne 28 - 6 Olympic Park 15/5/1999 (Rd 11)

Biggest Head-to-head Wins
Melbourne 40 - 10 Olympic Park 6/9/2003 (Rd 26)
Manly 34 - 12 Brookvale Oval 20/5/2006 (Rd 11)

Most Tries in a Match Head-to-head
2 A Quinn (Melbourne) Melbourne Won 34 - 8 (Rd 29, 2007)
2 C Hicks (Manly) Manly Won 34 - 12 (Rd 11, 2006)

Most Goals in a Match Head-to-head
5 M Orford (Manly) Manly Won 34 - 12 (Rd 11, 2006)
4 C Smith (Melbourne) Melbourne Won 30 - 20(Rd 26, 2006)

Most Points in a Match Head-to-head
12 C Smith (Melbourne)(1T, 4G, 0FG) Melbourne Won 30 - 20(Rd 26, 2006)
10 M Orford (Manly)(0T, 5G, 0FG) Manly Won 34 - 12(Rd 11, 2006)
http://203.166.101.37/NRL08/index.html

Storm v Sea Eagles Preview
Big League
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=50475



DESPITE both sides making tentative starts in 2008 with 2-2 records, the Storm and Sea Eagles are nonetheless entrenched in the top eight and this grand final rematch looms as a cracker.
The Sea Eagles have plenty of motivation after their 34-8 drubbing in the 2007 decider, while the Storm will be looking to slot into top gear after cruising over the top of the Broncos last week – a relieving win given back-to-back losses to the Sharks and Roosters.
After a worrying first fortnight Manly hit their straps with a 52-6 annihilation of the Warriors, then added further woe to Jason Taylor’s load with a 20-2 win over the Bunnies. Both those games were at Brookvale, however, and with four of their next five games played away, Des Hasler will have his side pumped for a result here.
Significantly, this is Manly’s third game in 11 days; the side remains intact from last round.

Meanwhile the Storm is trying desperately to fend off negative press surrounding their team tactics (“chicken wing” tackles etc) and speculation Craig Bellamy could be off to Brisbane from 2010 – and take a bunch of their talent with him.
While that might seem a long way off the destabilising effect it could have on a tightly drilled unit could be great. And they could continue to find their players before the judiciary, with Matt Geyer and Adam Blair fronting in successive weeks.
On the field the Storm are back rolling efficiently, as evidenced by their comprehensive 28-8 win over the previously undefeated Broncos.

Watch out Storm: Sea Eagles back-rower Anthony Watmough has a point to prove – he labels his game in last year’s decider “the worst game in my life” and knows it cost him a Kangaroos jersey in the ensuing Test against New Zealand.
With the representative season about to swing into gear “Choc” will be out to bury his demons. And he’s flying for the Sea Eagles – his 14 disposals ranks him leading offloader in the NRL and 22 tackle breaks 7th. Plus his 542 metres gained (average 136) for the seasiders ranks second only to livewire fullback Brett Stewart.
Expect him to shadow the likes of Orford and Menzies looking for short ball on the fringes to expose any tired Storm defenders. Is ready to run himself into a frenzy.

Watch out Sea Eagles: The problem for Manly is the Storm don’t appear to have any weak links. They have players ready to punish all around the park. While Billy Slater (average 116-metre gain) and Israel Folau (average 114-metre gain) tend to get most of the accolades, the man the Sea Eagles would fear most this round is Greg Inglis.
He played 60 minutes in his second game back last week, taking on the line (eight runs for 55 metres and an offload) with confidence. Expect him to be primed for this game, and to prove a handful.

Where it will be won: It all gets down to tactics. This game throws together the entertainers with the relentless grinders – the Sea Eagles top the NRL for hot-potato play with a staggering 76 offloads, while the Storm continue to show the ball respect in 2008 with a competition-low 18 offloads.
Chances are Des Hasler has decided to play to his strengths rather than try to match game plans with Craig Bellamy, so they’ll be looking to blow the Storm away with fast, enterprising play.
Down the other end of the field, interesting to note Bellamy’s men made an unusually high 10 offloads last week in demolishing the Broncos (who themselves were limited to an uncharacteristic six). So if anything, expect the Storm to step out of their comfort zone a little in this one.

The History:
Played 11; Storm 6, Sea Eagles 5. The Sea Eagles have one of the best records over the Storm in recent years, winning more than their fair share (five of the past eight). But they did blow the one that counts: last year’s grand final. And their past five wins were all at Brookvale Oval.
It’s a different kettle of fish at Olympic Park, where the Storm have won all four match-ups. That’s not good news for the visitors.

Conclusion: With Tony Archer back in the hot seat for the grand final rematch, chances are there won’t be too many penalties.
This will suit both sides, but perhaps the Sea Eagles a little more – given the increased scrutiny on Storm tackling techniques. But you’d be a brave tipper to opt against the premiers at home. A fast, open affair with 40+ points scored, we say.
Match officials: Referee – Tony Archer; Sideline Officials – Steve Lyons & Russell Turner; Video ref – Bill Harrigan.
Televised: Channel 9 – Live 7.30pm (NSW), Delayed 9.30pm (Qld); Foxsports 2 – Delayed 11.30pm.
 
So many flashbacks to the GF so far.

White jerseys. Kite taking the first hit-up and getting punished. Strong start from Manly with no points to show for it. Dodgy kicking from Cam Smith. Jitters from Ox. A couple of favourable calls to Melbourne and then bang, we're 10-0 down. Oh yeah, and still noone seems to be able to tackle Inglis.
 
A few of the passes have looked borderline. What's amazed me is how many "sleepers" they've had in our defensive line. It's like they're all standing around having a chat.
 

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