Another tight one IMO, Manly look the better side on paper but then the Storm still have the best spine in the NRL and Bellamy seems to turn average players into Rep players.
The young halves at Manly will need to gel quickly and how will Brett Stewart go. I hope he gets back to the form of old as soon as but we'll just have to wait and see.
It's a shame Matai isn't playing, the young Storm backline looks exciting but will they be able to deal with the experienced Lyon and co? Good to see young Widdop in the Storm team aswell, hopefully he does well and nails a spot in the side. Cant believe Champion isn't in the centres unless he's been injured?
I'm going for Manly by 6, i think their forwards are better than Melbourne's and the backline, with the experience, will prove too much. Brett Stewart first try.

Champion is carrying a bit of a knock I think. There giving him until last minute to prove his fitness. If he comes through, I think he'll probably move into the starting 13.

Interesting methodology used by King going into the tackle!!

Whatmough can always be relied upon to cough up an error when you most need it



Stanley and Nielson both had excellent games and Widdop played his part - the Storm will be there or there abouts

Good to see Brett Stewart back at this level - quality player

Galuvao's wife could be seeing some time on the bench

I only caught the last 10 minutes of this game.
Lyon went off injured which will have affected Manly, but how did Brett Stewart go?

Very good to say he has only played 6 games in 2 years - threw the pass for the Manly try.

Lyon Hamstring 30 minutes in

Was impressed with a few of the young ones in the Melbourne team but is was a typical Bellamy coached team. They didnt do anything out of the ordinary and just defended and completed sets before putting something together in the red zone. 1 try came from the penalty from the drop out and wasnt the other from the King raised knee penalty? Either way it was from gifted field position. Apart from that I thought it was a very even game.

melbourne are back

widdop is playing 6 for the storm, if he works out thats your 6 sorted out for england

Melbourne looked to be easing him into the role and everything came off Cronk. He was used really (with ball in hand) as a second wide running full back. When he did get the ball in an attacking move as a 6 he didnt look too great but at the same time didnt look too bad. He just passed the ball on. That nice little double pump pass was a good little highlight though. As far as Melboune went I think they looked a better team when Slater moved up to 2nd receiver and Widdop moved into the full back role. Maybe the Storm will look at this and swap them around next week but I hope not.

All in all though they played well as a team so i'd stick with how things are because you have to remember this was his 1st game in first grade in the 6 jersey and he needs to get upto speed.

I was thinking that he might not be involved much with the ball because Cronk does everything for them. But aslong as he nails a place in the side every week he'll improve massively under Bellamy and playing alongside guys like Smith, Cronk and Slater will only make him a better player.
How was he in defence?

exactly right hell get better every week if he cements a long term spot in the storm side, playing in that environment

they just produce so many champions the storm and a talented playmaker is what england need to go with their strong forwards

didnt notice him missing many tackles but only watched bits and pieces as was watching the dragons play at the same time

The people who run the League Express have Melbourne to finish 10th









Not on this showing they won't and although at times it was really scrappy stuff from both teams the Mnaly attack was non existent which showed in the 57% completion rate (saying that Bradford today were at 63%).

The Kings raised knee incident was the correct call.

top 6 for the storm, maybe top 2 if they gell.