Summary
They just keep doing it, don’t they, Melbourne Storm. Season after season, stars come and go, rivals change, but Craig Bellamy and Cameron Smith remain, refusing to give in, always finding a way. Once again they’re through to the NRL grand final.
Tonight’s preliminary final was over as a contest by the 25 minute mark. Storm flew out of the blocks and scored four unanswered tries with the Canberra defence in disarray. The final 55 minutes ended 10-6 in the Raiders’ favour, but it was too little too late.
Jahrome Hughes ran the game for Melbourne, supported by Smith’s gamecraft and Ryan Papenhuyzen’s electrifying speed. The Storm pack fronted up superbly too, neutralising Josh Papali’i and denying Canberra any cheap ball from errors in attack or defence.
The Raiders underperformed. They were shellshocked early on, making some awful errors in defence, especially on their right edge. Once they had established a foothold in the game they left plenty of points on the field for poor execution - again largely by failing to link passing chains out to the right wing. Their big game players never got going - Wighton had just ten runs for 65m and one tackle break, Nicoll-Klokstad not much more. It was as one-sided as you could imagine for such a high-stakes contest.
The only downsides for Melbourne were knocks to Brandon Smith, Jahrome Hughes and Nelson Asofa-Solomona, as well as a report for Justin Olam. It would be a shock if any missed the grand final.
Thanks for joining me tonight. We’ll be back tomorrow to find out who Melbourne will take on in the grand final.
Melbourne Storm 30-10 Canberra Raiders
Delight for Melbourne. Despair for Canberra.
77 mins: The Raiders are playing fast and loose but it’s not coming off. Melbourne Storm are heading to yet another grand final.
76 mins: Canberra are throwing it around like it’s a nines exhibition now, which they have to, and it makes from some entertaining, if scruffy, play from kick-off to the Storm 20m line. In response, Melbourne stuff it up the jumpers of their biggest big boys and run down the clock. While that goes on, Cameron Smith heads to the bench, soaking up the adulation of Suncorp Stadium along the way. That’s a nice touch from Craig Bellamy, giving his skipper a virtual lap of honour.
TRY! Storm 30-10 Raiders (Cotric 72)
Finally, at long last, the try Canberra have supposed to score all night eventually happens. With space and numbers to the right after a solid drive up the guts the Raiders make no mistakes sending the ball through hands and Cotric touches over in the corner. It was routine handling, apart from a neat flick pass from Rapana in contact for the try assist.
Croker misses from the touchline.
They’re in ✔✔#NRLStormRaiders #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/PZQFUObIKr
— NRL (@NRL) October 16, 2020
Updated
72 mins: Jahrome Hughes getting the credit he deserves on TV. He’s been best on ground tonight for mine by some margin.
70 mins: Canberra get to halfway in four tackles before keeping the ball alive on the left wing. From a reasonable platform they then lose their momentum with nobody taking control in the halves to dictate play and the last tackle ends with a weak kick that leaks across the left touchline. Melbourne are now in injury-limitation mode.
67 mins: Canberra go short off the kick-off, but for some reason go to Vunivalu’s wing, meaning Melbourne get an attacking set from halfway. It’s a risk-averse drive from Melbourne, but that’s all they need for now. It’s up to the Raiders to make some magic happen - and they do just that! On tackle four they send the ball through hands to the right, evading two near-intercepts. Eventually Cotric gets to the sideline and heads for home, chipping and chasing, the ball bouncing in his favour, but as the Canberra winger accepts the bobble, Cameron Smith hauls him down from behind and clings on like a lion hunting an antelope, simultaneously halting Cotric’s momentum and dislodging the ball. That was epic.
Smith says "NO WAY" 💥#NRLStormRaiders #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/h5cPmYzYdb
— NRL (@NRL) October 16, 2020
Updated
TRY! Storm 30-6 Raiders (Finucane 63)
That’ll do it. Melbourne get 20m from Canberra’s line with the drive before Hughes nails another high kick to Vunivalu’s corner. The winger leaps miles in the air and slaps the ball infield in a motion that’s as much a pass as a tap, incredible athleticism, and as the balll ands and bobbles it jumps into the waiting arms of the fortunate Finucane who tumbles across the line taking Nicoll-Klokstad with him.
Smith ices the cake.
That’s 200 games and a 🥧 for @DaleFinucane!#NRLStormRaiders 30-6, 14 mins to go. #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/koBLtyAPTT
— NRL (@NRL) October 16, 2020
Updated
61 mins: ... not this time. AGAIN Canberra have the overlap on the right wing. This time Williams straightens up and the move goes begging, but he finds an offload and the ball finally does head to the flyers, but it’s slow and signposted and Addo-Carr completes the latest in a series of tackles that have studded a superb defensive performance from the Fox.
60 mins: Wave after wave from the Raiders. They have space and numbers to the right yet again but yet again fail to execute. This time Bateman straightens up when one more pass would have meant a certain score, and Melbourne survive. Canberra will surely score soon.
59 mins: Cotric, Nicoll-Klokstad and Harawira-Naera all gain good metres before the Raiders throw the ball left. Valemi steps in off the wing and into contact, but it’s high, and Lee is put on report and Canberra get a full set 20m from home.
58 mins: Excellent defensive set from Canberra keeps Melbourne inside their own 30m zone for five tackles. Then there’s a break in play after big Asofa-Solomona has his right lower leg bent backwards in a fierce tackle.
57 mins: Bellamy will be happier with the past five or so minutes with the game settling down into a midfield scrap after a harum-scarum start to the half.
55 mins: Solid from Melbourne for the first time in a while, and the set ends with an excellent Smith kick high to the corner but Valemi climbs high and outjumps Vunivalu for a change. Defensively the Storm are back on point, forcing Williams to kick from his own 40m line.
53 mins: This is opening right up now with bodies flying into each other all around the ground. Valemi almost makes a line break returning the kick to the corner but Kaufusi came across and the pair came together with a thundering crash. Valemi found himself in the thick of the action a few tackles later but he runs out of space on the left wing.
Melbourne are not calmly seeing this one out, but Canberra do not lookslick enough to exploit the opportunity facing them.
51 mins: Pressure is building from the Raiders. Already in good attacking position they gain a set restart and look certain to overwhelm the Storm, but again they don’t get their angles correct on the right wing and instead of Rapana hitting the line at pace he’s flat footed and bundled into touch by a feisty Addo-Carr.
50 mins: Canberra run on the last, heading wide to the right on a flat line when some depth might have opened up more space. There’s a blue off the ball when a Raider is hit disposing the ball, and when the kick through finally arrives on the right wing, Papenhuyzen flies from his defensive post and spills the ball over the sideline.
47 mins: Melbourne fail to complete a set for the first time tonight and decent attacking position is conceded. Canberra execute a solid drive before Williams nails his long kick to the corner to perfection, the ball crossing the sideline inches from the corner post. Olam, Finucane and Welch all hit the line hard for Melbourne until they open up on halfway on tackle four. Addo-Carr gains more yards, inviting Smith to kick in dangerous territory, and his grubber is a nightmare to handle, but the Raiders do just enough, and then benefit from an over-eager chasing troupe trying to force a drop-out only to concede a penalty instead.
45 mins: Melbourne settle themselves and Hughes is again instrumental with a dart down the right edge that Vunivalu almost profits from. Brandon Smith proves his fitness with a typical burrowing run that allows Papenhuyzen to kick behind the Canberra defence. Nicoll-Klokstad mops up but he gets the Finucane treatment and is picked up and driven back under his posts! D-E-F-E-N-C-E!
43 mins: Melbourne hit back with some shuddering tackles of their own but Canberra continue to probe. Well, until tackle four anyway when Havili spills a pass with the Raiders looking to spin the ball left.
41 mins: Oh wow! Finucane runs out the kick-off and gets about 15m before a green tidal wave hits him and drives him all the back under his own posts. That was huge! Canberra are not going lightly.
41 mins: 40 minutes to the grand final...
Storm completed 17/17 sets in that first half; incredible. Canberra recovered to 12/16 from their catastrophic start, but with almost 200m fewer run metres gained, and a further 150m down on kick metres.
Hudson Young has caught the eye for the Raiders, and he leads allcomers for carries and tackles. For Melbourne, Jahrome Hughes has run the game from the No7 jersey, kicking brilliantly, earning one try assist and two further line break assists.
Meanwhile, over in the AFL...
HT: @PAFC 3.3 (21) are tied with @Richmond_FC 3.3 (21).
— AFL (@AFL) October 16, 2020
This game is hot 🔥#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/c6D91d4El3
Keep an eye on that here, if you are so inclined:
This isn’t a bad way to spend half-time. Nick Tedeschi’s momentum-theory was to the fore early with Melbourne crossing in three attacks in a row. There was brilliance on their part, but Canberra gave them some helping hands. I’d imagine Ricky Stuart will be giving his vocal chords a workout at the break, reminding some of his threequarters how to tackle.
Half-time: Storm 24-6 Raiders
Melbourne Storm have one foot in the grand final after a blistering start to this prelim. The Raiders have battled back gamely, but they have an awful lot of ground to make up.
Updated
39 mins: Valemi has not enjoyed a great night so far and he’s under pressure again in defence, making a meal of Smith’s kick on last tackle. Canberra recover and they make decent yards for four tackles before coming up with a desperate play that flows to the right before a Papali’i offload keeps the Raiders interested and they exploit broken field to go through hands to the left. There are gaps appearing until Vunivalu scrags Croker with a clinch tackle.
Meanwhile, Brandon Smith has let the field, and he looks a doubt to see this one out.
Cheese is off the field for a HIA.
— Melbourne Storm (@storm) October 16, 2020
Updated
37 mins: The Raiders are coming. From the drop-out the Raiders forwards, Young especially, hammer Melbourne’s white line and get within sniffing distance. A try looks imminent but there’s a loose play-the-ball in the worst possible place, and the Storm escape.
36 mins: The tide might be turning. Canberra benefit from a fortunate penalty against Cameron Smith no less and kick their way out of trouble to halfway. Williams kicks on tackle four, turning Addo-Carr on his heels and the line drop-out is the only outcome.
33 mins: Solid restart set from the Raiders. Melbourne’s return is delayed briefly while Addo-Carr is attended to after landing awkwardly in a tackle. Brandon Smith is also in the wars after suffering a knock to his regularly-battered face.
TRY! Storm 24-6 Raiders (Cotric 31)
31 mins: Canberra are giving it all to get back into the game and it’s their interchange players that have sparked them into life. This time it’s Harawira-Naera hammering from close range, taking four Storm players with towards the line - and he’s over! But the ball’s held up. From centrefield Canberra switch left but the defensive line shifts smartly. Then they return to the right with Williams’ floated kick, Cotric claims it, Addo-Carr - distracted by the offload runner - forgets to lay the tackle, and Cotric spins and bundles his way into the right corner. All that pressure eventually counts.
Croker kicks a beautiful fizzing conversion from the whitewash. The Raiders have something to build on, finally.
The @RaidersCanberra turrrrrrn up! 👏#NRLStormRaiders 24-6 after 31 mins.#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/AqegJ7KGlj
— NRL (@NRL) October 16, 2020
Updated
30 mins: They come again Canberra, Soliola impressing off the bench, hitting Melbourne hard through the guts. Then they step right and go through hands - and Melbourne intercept! But there’s an offside and the Raiders get another go.
28 mins: Canberra build up a head of steam through the middle, largely through some interchange energy. Melbourne defend stoutly and force Williams into kicking on the last but after the high ball to the right corner is dealt with the Green Machine pounds through and forces the line drop-out.
27 mins: Storm are 14/14 for completed sets! But their 14th ends with Nicoll-Klokstad claiming a bomb well and earning a penalty for a ruck infringement. For the first time tonight the Raiders attack from inside Melbourne’s half.
25 mins: How’s the AFL going? This could be a long 55 minutes for Raiders fans.
TRY! Storm 24-0 Raiders (Olam 24)
Another Melbourne attack, almost another try. This is mesmerising. Hughes again the architect, spotting space in the right corner and inviting Vunivalu into a foot race but it’s a green jersey that gets to the ball first and Nicoll-Klokstad cleans up for the line drop-out.
From the following set the Storm threaten down the right before cutting left on tackle four, here Papenhuyzen takes over, kicking ahead for himself on the 10m paint, through the Raiders defence and certain to score, but he’s taken out by a green jersey. Not to worry, Olam is following up, pouncing on the loose ball and turning the advantage into another bloomin’ try.
Melbourne have been very sharp, but deary me, Canberra’s backs have defended abysmally tonight. Schoolkid stuff.
Smith makes no mistake with a midrange conversion.
“That’ll do me!” 😲😲#NRLStormRaiders#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/4IdfR9sWgN
— NRL (@NRL) October 16, 2020
Updated
21 mins: First decent field position for Canberra to kick from tonight and Williams tests Melbourne’s defensive line in the air but Vunivalu eventually comes away with the ball and is almost through the ragged defensive line. Storm then kick early in their set, sending the Raiders miles back on their heels and the resulting chase is superb - as is the defensive set - making Canberra kick from their own 30m line!
19 mins: From the scrum Melbourne build smartly through the middle, then cut right before hitting left at speed on the last. The move ends with Hughes dapping a perfect kick through towards the left corner that two Raiders defenders sleep on, allowing Addo-Carr to speed through and touchdown for yet another try. But hang on, the TMO is interested. No try! The touchdown was not clean and Canberra breathe a sigh of relief.
18 mins: Is that a turning point? Bromwich knocks on trying to pass out of contact. But no, the ruling goes against Cotric for knocking on in the process of making the tackle. Nothing going Canberra’s way so far.
PENALTY! Storm 18-0 Raiders (Smith 16)
16 mins: Melbourne look like breaking the line every attack. It’s all in the first or second pass corridor where the Storm playmakers are just holding onto the pass an extra beat and either stepping out into space or feeding a runner with a gap to thump into. The latest line-breaker is Hughes and he turns a solid set into a promising one. It ends with Smith kicking high to the right corner and Vunivalu again leaps threateningly, and this time when he comes down there’s a penalty in his side’s favour. Smith accepts a straightforward two points.
13 mins: Hmmm, what is this? Melbourne Storm attack but they don’t score. Smith does kick brilliantly to the left corner though, and the chase is superb, as are the next two tackles. But then there’s an error with some unnecessary smothering at the ruck handing Canberra a set restart and the chance to breathe.
Storm are 12 from 13 after scoring first, by the way. No idea what their 16-0 lead stats are.
TRY! Storm 16-0 Raiders (Vunivalu 11)
NO WAY! Three scores in three drives for Melbourne! A straightforward set to halfway from the restart ends with a high kick to the right corner. Vunivalu leaps high and tips the ball backwards creating chaos on the right edge. Storm do superbly to keep the ball alive then Hughes darts through a narrow gap, feeds Vunivalu on his outside and the flying Fijian somehow dances his way with impossible footwork and strength around three Canberra tacklers - without stepping into touch - and powers over the line. Brilliant from the Melbourne winger. Some shocking defence from the Raiders.
From the touchline, Smith misses left by inches.
Apparently he is an acrobat as well 🤯
— NRL (@NRL) October 16, 2020
Some Vunivalu footwork puts the @storm in for #3! #NRLStormRaiders#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/vjocqKRqj0
Updated
TRY! Storm 12-0 Raiders (Papenhuyzen 8)
Oh boy. Just a couple of tackles after the restart Storm send the ball through hands to the left again. Papenhuyzen is crucial entering the line, double-pumping to create a small gap in the defensive line, enough for Addo-Carr to burst through and eat up the yards. He draws in the fullback and who’s there on his inside shoulder to complete the blistering move - Papenhuyzen of course. What an amazing start from Melbourne Storm.
Smith kicks two more points from a near-identical position.
That was FAST! 💨#NRLStormRaiders
— NRL (@NRL) October 16, 2020
12-0 after 7 mins.#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/7wXhtm7Iks
Updated
TRY! Storm 6-0 Raiders (J Bromwich 5)
Papali’i continues his role as wrecking ball in chief, again leading his side back to halfway. This time the Raiders shift left before kicking and when Valemi tries the dribble through he’s tackled and Storm regather in decent territory. That soon becomes very decent with a set restart inviting the first attack of the night. It’s a typically composed drive through the middle until A1 field position is secured. Smith then sends his side left where the ball goes through hands until it reaches Addo-Carr with space to think about heading down the outside, but he executes a vicious cut inside and almost crosses. From the next tackle Melbourne do score with Hughes timing his offload in the tackle perfectly for JEsse Bromwich to crash over with momentum.
Smith doesn’t miss from beside the posts.
BOOM! @storm get us started 🔥🔥🔥#NRLStormRaiders 6-0 after 6 mins.#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/iXRSJygOG4
— NRL (@NRL) October 16, 2020
Updated
2 mins: Papali’i with the first carry of the night to set up a straightforward opening drive that leads Canberra to halfway before Papenhuyzen runs a bomb out to his defensive 20m line. Melbourne go through hands at least once on most tackles, testing the Raiders wide right, then wide left, but the defensive line holds firm. The set ends with an odd left-footed kick from Munster that bobbles into touch about 15m out.
Kick-off!
80 minutes until we know our first grand finalist for 2020...
And now the Storm roll through in their familiar purple get-up with navy blue trim. Is that the last time Cameron Smith leads out a side at Suncorp Stadium?
Actually, as a point of fact, it was the mascot Storm Man that crossed the whitewash first, so maybe Bellamy already has his replacement lined up?
Smith to kick off...
Up the milk! Here come the Raiders, typically dazzling in lime green, offset by crisp white shorts. Plenty of cheers around Suncorp Stadium for the Canberrans. The TV director focuses straight away on Josh Papali’i, and why wouldn’t they, what a crucial performer he’s going to be tonight.
In further good news, the NRL announced this afternoon that the match was officially sold out, which is no mean feat for a contest featuring two sides from interstate. I think that means there should be around 39,000 fans in attendance. Quite how that shakes out in terms of support, I’m not sure. I’ve always assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that Queenslanders have a soft spot for the Storm because of their Origin links, but then I’m also going to assume (again, perhaps incorrectly) that this year the Raiders are the neutral’s choice as plucky underdog looking to snap a long drought.
Conditions at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane should prove no impediment to an excellent contest. The temperature is in the low 20s and dropping as evening dusk cedes to floodlit night, there’s no rain - although we do know the dew can become a hazard, and there’s little wind to speak of beyond a slight north-easterly breeze.
— Melbourne Storm (@storm) October 16, 2020
Storm fans aren’t going to get many more opportunities to enjoy Cameron Smith striding out in purple. Tonight may even be their last.
Canberra Raiders XVII
The Raiders go in with an unchanged 17 after their triumph over the Roosters last week.
Ricky Stuart has dealt extraordinarily well with a season full of absentees, including long-term injuries to Josh Hodgson, Bailey Simonsson and Corey Horsburgh. However, despite missing such star quality, 10 of the 13 that ran onto ANZ Stadium for last year’s grand final will turn out again tonight.
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Semi Valemi 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Jordan Rapana 5. Nick Cotric 6. Jack Wighton 7. George Williams 8. Josh Papali’i 14. Siliva Havili 16. Hudson Young 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joseph Tapine
Interchange: 9. Tom Starling 10. Iosia Soliola 15. Dunamis Lui 17. Corey Harawira-Naera
It’s a milestone night for the back-rower from Bega.
200 NRL games for our co-vice cap tonight.
— Melbourne Storm (@storm) October 16, 2020
Congrats Dale, thanks for 134 matches in purple 💜 pic.twitter.com/OSb4qsuptT
Melbourne Storm XVII
Melbourne go in pretty much full strength with Craig Bellamy naming an unchanged starting 13 from the qualifying final victory over Parramatta. However, there’s big news on the interchange with vice-captain Dale Finucane passed fit to play for the first time since suffering a calf strain in mid-August. He replaces Chris Lewis.
Bellamy was understandably upbeat about the return of one of his pack leaders. “I obviously think he gives us a whole heap of experience. He has played Origin and in four grand finals. He is not a great talker but he is a great leader, he just goes out there and does it.”
There was some doubt over Cameron Munster starting after he limped off late on against the Eels, but the extra week’s rest has given his swollen knee chance to settle down. “He mended pretty quickly,” Bellamy said. “He didn’t do anything last week but he was in our first session this week and has done everything the other boys have done.”
As for the will-he won’t-he storyline regarding his skipper, Bellamy had this to say. “We still honestly don’t know what Cameron is doing and like I said right from the start I am not going to expect an answer from him until he is ready to give an answer, and he has not been ready.
“We would have liked to have made it more special if it is his last game but I promised I wouldn’t put any heat on him. I pointed out to him that if he did retire or go to another club, hopefully not, that we would like to send him out on the right note. I said to him that we’d like to give him a decent send-off and he said, ‘why?’ I said that after 400-odd games and grand finals that you’ve done a tremendous job for us, but he is not one of those guys who wants a lot of fanfare.”
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Brenko Lee 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 17. Nicholas Hynes, 18. Dale Finucane
Great to see you Harry.
I know the two competitions run their own races, and there’s probably an element of appendage measurement involved, but it’s frustrating that the prelims are on head-to-head tonight and tomorrow. This narrow-minded code war garbage does my head in.
Here are some coach stat numbers heading into tonight @storm v @RaidersCanberra on @FOXNRL.Craig Bellamy has a 16-8 record v Ricky Stuart. Bellamy has a 27-9 career record v Canberra. And Stuart has just 1 win from 11 games as coach in matches at Suncorp Stadium. #NRLStormRaiders
— Andrew Voss (@AndrewVossy) October 16, 2020
Rule tweaks and some quick-witted ball players have turned the 2020 NRL season into momentum-ball. As a result, this year’s premiership will be determined by attack, not defence, as Nick Tedeschi writes:
It is no longer possible to grind out wins. Teams not playing their best cannot rely on shutting a game down, making it ugly and winning a slugfest, the way the Melbourne Storm have been able to do for a generation. Even they have moved on. In 2020, when you win momentum, you need to make it count on the scoreboard.
Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to the most satisfying feast of footy of the season, preliminary final weekend. First up we have live coverage of Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders. Kick-off at Suncorp Stadium is 7.50pm (AEDT).
It’s a mouthwatering match-up to determine the first of this season’s grand finalists. Melbourne Storm are here again, they’re always here. Under Craig Bellamy’s leadership they have become an NRL winning-machine with an irresistible capacity to get the job done season-in season out. And not for the first time in recent years they face Canberra Raiders, the club that just refuses to give in. Led by the indomitable Ricky Stuart the Raiders have bounced back from a cruel grand final defeat at the end of last season, survived a host of injuries that would have derailed a lesser side, and now stand 160 minutes away from a first title in 26 years despite ending the campaign fifth on the ladder.
Melbourne, operating at near full capacity and well rested after a week off, will begin as favourites. They won back in round nine, the last time these sides met, they dominate in Queensland - winning their past 19 matches in the Sunshine State, and they have a clear advantage at their temporary home of Suncorp Stadium with the Raiders not tasting victory at the venue since 2010.
Key figures have all shown good form in recent weeks with Cameron Smith showing no signs of slowing down, Ryan Papenhuyzen blossoming into an Origin certainty, and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui demonstrating he is more than an impact substitute. Cameron Munster has been passed fit to start at five-eighth and there’s even a chance vice-captain Dale Finucane could return from a calf strain. As the Storm prepare to end the most incredible of eras, Smith and Bellamy will see this as a golden opportunity to leave Victoria on the highest of highs.
The Raiders thrive as underdogs. They defied the odds to reach last year’s grand final, they upset the Roosters last time out, and they have been going against convention all season, brushing off injury after injury to hit the finals in peak form. They’ve only lost one of their past nine matches and are playing a brand of unpredictable effervescent footy that is a nightmare to defend against. Even Trent Robinson and his formidable Roosters had no answers to the Green Machine last time out with Josh Wighton furthering his case to be named finals MVP, Josh Papalii showcasing why he’s the only forward shortlisted for the RLPA player of the season award, and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad matching the great James Tedesco metre for metre.
The match-up will hold no fears for Stuart’s crew. The Raiders defeated the Storm 22-6 in Melbourne in round three, while in the first week of finals last season they snatched victory at the death at AAMI Park (in fact, tonight will be the third time in five years this fixture has occurred in the playoffs). But if Canberra are to celebrate a first premiership since 1994, they will have to buck a long trend. In the previous 13 finals series all but one (Cowboys 2015) premiership has been claimed by a qualifying final-winning side from the top four on the ladder.
Among the many subplots tonight the longstanding friendship between the rival coaches will get plenty of attention. After crossing paths during their playing careers in the nation’s capital the relationship between Bellyache and Sticky is as close as can be envisaged in such a cutthroat environment. Both spoke to Margie McDonald at NRL.com during the week, each providing uncharacteristically sentimental insights into their characters. “In the end it is only a game of football,” Bellamy said. “We have a little tradition that the winner brings a beer into the loser and we meet as friends – we don’t rub it in.” As for Stuart: “The hardest thing is that I love him as one of my close mates, and usually when one of your mates wants something you try to get it for them.”
I’ll be back in a short while with line-ups and whatnot. If you want to get in touch at any point, you can reach me on Twitter or email.
