St George Illawarra Dragons defeat Melbourne Storm 34-14
Game finishes with a conversion to Widdop after Smith kicks the ball over the sideline from the dropout. Hasn’t been his day.
The Dragons couldn’t have played a more impressive game, really, despite all the errors. To beat the Storm by such a comprehensive margin, and to force them into so many of their own errors with excellent pressure has surely proved them the real deal for this season.
There’s an almighty roar from the crowd at the conclusion, while the Strom boys cut dejected figures. Widdop says his team made some silly errors but to beat Melbourne is “extra difficult” and they’re very pleased. Billy Slater, for the losing side, says today wasn’t the Storm’s day and acknowledges there was a momentum shift after the no try in the first half. Doesn’t use it as an excuse though: “some go for you, some go against you”.
Finally, Ben Hunt says his side are “starting to believe”. “It’s a long way to go but we’re building”. Indeed. Very impressive stuff from the Dragons.
Thanks for joining me today – we’ll have an NRL column for you tomorrow morning to look forward to. Otherwise I’ll see you here next week for another Sunday sport blog.
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H2 02:38 St George 32-14 Melbourne
Nice hands from the Storm to break the line - they’re regaining some momentum with just a few minutes to go. Brandon Smith bustles through a few tackles but ultimately loses the ball. Still he’s showed a lot.
Here’s Addo-Carr’s third.
A hat-trick for Addo-Carr!#NRLDragonsStorm 32-14 with 4 minutes to go.#NRL pic.twitter.com/a8QYikjgIW
— NRL (@NRL) May 6, 2018
H2 04:00 St George 32-14 Melbourne
Tensions spilling over here. Nightingale tries to weave his way over for a try from the sideline but is forced over by a team of tacklers. He didn’t seem to like the treatment, however.
Addo-Carr with a big run for one of the Storm’s more impressive passages of play, but Slater runs into Sims. They go again and it’s a hat-trick for Addo-Carr, again with the assist from Munster and then the debutant Olam. That one doesn’t impress the home crowd!
Smith finally gets a conversion. That’s a third career hat-trick for Addo-Carr. Surely deserves the Blues gig.
Updated
H2 08:20 St George 32-8 Melbourne
Addo-Carr takes the bullet pass from Slater, and it’s again ruled forward! Normally Slater gets those just right, but he’s off target today, like his team in general. Dragons take the scrum.
Oooh, Widdop gets cleaned up by Asofa-Solomona. The tackle was far too high and looked nasty live. Good news is Widdop is up and looks OK. He fended off the high contact with a forearm which probably saved him. Kasiano, meanwhile, leaves the ground for concussion assessment.
H2 11:20 St George 32-8 Melbourne
Addo-Carr can’t avoid the oncoming defence, and St George can take six more. Cam Smith looked to shank the kick, think he’s still in some pain. James Graham’s pass misses everyone, but the Storm are ruled offside. Assume Widdop will take the kick, and he does. Their big lead extends.
Updated
H2 13:33 St George 30-8 Melbourne
Conversion follows for Widdop. Looks like this one will be a boilover after all, with the Dragons fans in full voice in the stands to the tune of “When the Saints go marching in”.
H2 15:10 St George 28-8 Melbourne
Here’s that last try.
"He's not a Fox, he's a Ferrari!"#NRLDragonsStorm 24-8 with 17 minutes remaining. #TelstraPremiership #NRL pic.twitter.com/SLmVXwHYx1
— NRL (@NRL) May 6, 2018
Dufty with an excellent catch considering the awkward kick he was sitting under. Here come the Dragons again. They’re inside the 30 with two tackles left. Oh no! Aitken just runs through the Melbourne defence, that was some hole that opened up! We’re checking for obstruction. Bunker rules no obstruction which I think is correct. Cameron Smith, on replay, didn’t move well at all.
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H2 16:50 St George 24-8 Melbourne
I can assure you it’s all sunshine and blue skies in Melbourne today, James. In fact, it’s probably the best weather we’ve had all year. Storm struggling away from home, tho.
Melbourne Storm looking more like Melbourne 'Cloudy with a chance of bugger all' at the moment. #NRLDragonsStorm
— James Halliday (@JHalliday84) May 6, 2018
Here’s some metres gained finally for the Storm. Munster finds the Fox and they’re finally over again! Addo-Carr has ten for the season and two for today. Excellent throw from Munster.
Conversion attempt is well wide from Smith, though, who still looks heavily affected by that hit to the groin. Don’t think he’ll have much sympathy from the crowd though.
I didn’t think we could top him being sin binned, but seeing a try scored over Cam Smith as he’s hit in the nuts is up there too.#NRLDragonsStorm 😂
— Nathan (@SeaEagleSpur) May 6, 2018
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H2 19:30 St George 24-4 Melbourne
Just 18/26 sets now for the Storm, or 69% completion. This set looks better, Vunivalu’s kick is intercepted by Widdop, with Vunivalu then landing (unintentionally it looked) right on Widdop’s head. Ouch - that was some forceful contact. That results in him being able to drag Widdop over the sideline and win the scrum.
Debutant Olam is on and into the action, but Storm still can’t get past the 10m. Slater’s pass at dummy half has been ruled forward to add insult to injury! Correct call.
19,173 in the crowd for this game, effectively capacity.
H2 23:10 St George 24-4 Melbourne
Fans are now starting to dissect this match, with some finding it not to their liking.
For such a hyped up match, this sure has been one of the biggest stinkers of the season. Absolute rubbish. #NRLDragonsStorm
— John Mammoliti (@Mammojo_94) May 6, 2018
Fair to say the Storm haven’t played their best footy.
This is the Storm of weeks 2-5. Penalties, dropped balls, generally looking like an average first grade side.
— Ryan Nixitu'a (@NewYorkNixon) May 6, 2018
This is the Dragons of weeks 1-8. A well oiled machine.#NRLDragonsStorm
H2 25:00 St George 24-4 Melbourne
Jack de Belin on for the Dragons while Latimore leaves the field.
Wow. Tariq Sims with a *crunching* tackle on Kaufusi. Storm look like they’re in for a second time, but it’s ruled a forward pass from Munster. That’s unlucky, cos Slater was on the end of the kick.
H2 26:22 St George 24-4 Melbourne
Now it’s Munster’s turn to give away a penalty, this time for a ball strip. Things unravelling somewhat for the premiers. On cue, however, Mann turns it over and Brandon Smith makes some impressive ground. They’ll start from the 40m line, and take another penalty to gain some more ground.
Slater pulls up just short of the line and there’s a penalty against Frizell for contact to Slater’s neck. Storm will come again, as Welch returns to the field for Brandon Smith.
Storm just can’t make it over the final line – and this time McInnes takes the defence to the next level by completing an intercept and making some serious ground. It’s turned over at the 20m line however, and now it’s Storm’s ball again.
H2 30:43 St George 24-4 Melbourne
Quick rebound and score from the Dragons. Widdop found Sims on the left, and Lafai is able to dive around Vunivalu. Widdop will attempt yet another conversion – and it’s a beauty from the sideline.
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H2 32:04 St George 22-4 Melbourne
Oh no ! Jacks tries to take the bouncing kick from Slater with one hand and misses everything. Would have been in if he’d taken it. Macdonald had left it to bounce and it bounced back to Storm’s advantage. Not sure it was the right move to try and collect the ball with one hand instead of diving on it. Meanwhile Illawarra are back in via Lafai! We’ll check it with the bunker but this looks good.
H2 34:55 St George 18-4 Melbourne
Melbourne have a chance to hit back with Latimore dropping the ball. And now Kasiano does the same straight after! It’s really a comedy of errors at the moment. Melbourne can’t afford any more mistakes if they want to get back into the game.
H2 36:36 St George 18-4 Melbourne
Really nice run by Frizzell and then a penalty given against Finucane for lying in the ruck - he is furious. Dragons make them pay the ultimate price with McInness over. Cameron Smith is stationary on the ground. Not sure how that happened, looks like he collapsed at the time of the play-the-ball. Looks like Latimore might have hit him in the groin. Ouch. Widdop also converts and the Dragons are sailing ahead.
Was no try call correct?
Braith Anasta calls the Storm no try “one of the worst calls he’s ever seen”. Makes the point that the call was made much later than the play-the-ball, and that advantage should have been played. Refs stated on mic (live) that they couldn’t pay advantage because the play-the-ball was “incomplete”. But it didn’t look like it on the replay, even if there was a penalty. As Anasta says, that really changes the complexion of the game.
Half-time St George 12-4 Melbourne
Yet another mistake, this time by Kurt Mann who spills the ball on the 40. Neither side very successful on their completions – 76% (13/17) for the Dragons and 71% (12/17) for the Storm. Storm have the scrum with just ten seconds remaining and time for one play. Munster almost finds Addo-Carr just before the sideline, but it slides over and out. That’ll do for the first half.
Bizarre, error-ridden first half: Storm will feel robbed off a try and probably should be closer. Still, credit to the Dragons who shot out of the blocks and looked the far stronger side initially.
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H1 01:54 St George 12-4 Melbourne
Nice catch from Slater under all sorts of pressure, and the Storm knock-on again! Poor pass from Slater, who was looking for Brandon Smith. Neither side can take a trick at the moment, nor the refs for that matter. Here we go - another penalty goes to the Dragons, and Widdop slots it. That’ll hurt, again.
H1 04:16 St George 10-4 Melbourne
Crowd thought there was a forward pass on the third tackle, and they barely pull the Storm up short. Vunivalu tries to go himself from dummy half, but he can’t get there. Lots of cheers from the home crowd. Smith not happy he didn’t get the footy I reckon.
H1 05:46 St George 10-4 Melbourne
Now Nightingale knocks the ball on and the Storm look determined to get a try they feel they were robbed. Another penalty goes the Storm’s way, but it’s again after the fact. Refs having a shocker. Play five comes up with the Storm just a metre out. It’s not a very convincing play, but they’ll have one more go. Slater lands a nice dribble kick and they’ll have six more.
H1 09:00 St George 10-4 Melbourne
Storm tap and go and take another penalty for too high after the first tackle. Hoffman lands just a metre out and now Munster is over! Bizarre set of events, but you’d think justice has been done now.
Fans very confused as to why the previous try wasn’t awarded in advantage.
Surely that's a try. Where's the advantage? #NRLDragonsStorm
— Tristo (@tristo1321) May 6, 2018
Right! And now we’ve had the latest try overturned! Geez. Storm are filthy. Looks the correct call on the replay, but really strange that Melbourne weren’t awarded a try in the first place.
Ref - “that’s the rule”
— jump time (@time_taken_up) May 6, 2018
Cam - “well, that is a bit unusual because.......”
You were told, Cam. It’s the rule.#NRLDragonsStorm
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H1 10:18 St George 10-4 Melbourne
Wow... another turnover. This time the Dragons are taken out, Addo-Carr dragging Dufty over the sideline. Either side struggling to complete sets at the moment. Storm with the scrum. Addo-Carr into dummy half, Cameron Smith still on the field but looking sore. WOW! Brilliant throw from Billy Slater sees Nightingale over!
Wait! It’s a penalty to Melbourne from a play-the-ball penalty against McInnes. What? That really hurts for the Storm. Why was that awarded post-try?
Updated
H1 12:25 St George 10-4 Melbourne
Oh no. Widdop spills the ball uncharacteristically, but it wasn’t a great ball from dummy half. Storm find some space on the outside after the scrum, but Vunivalu manages to knock it on! Lots of errors for both sides.
Graham has been replaced by Ah Mau, and Storm replace Welch with Kasiano.
Updated
H1 14:44 St George 10-4 Melbourne
Final tackle for St George, Widdop kicks towards Vunivalu, and he has no trouble with that one. Melbourne come away from inside their own 10. Some quick play-the-balls get them moving with some metres, they go early on the kick but overcook it, and Dragons will come again. Smith also limping, while Graham leaves the field for the Dragons.
Smith looks very poppy.
H1 16:23 St George 10-4 Melbourne
Knock-on against St George – but looks as if they missed a clear touch from Cameron Smith earlier. Couple of very strange decisions in the space of a few minutes. Storm then almost get away with one or even two forward passes – but that looks to have been overruled again, and the Dragons come away with the ball around the 40m mark.
H1 18:45 St George 10-4 Melbourne
Storm make their first interchange with Dale Finucane on for Asofa-Solomona. Another big chance here for the Storm after a Dragons knock-on. Macdonald got his hands on the attempted catch, but there’s an overrule, and the decision goes against the Storm for a knock-on on the tap back against Chambers? I honestly can’t understand that.
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H1 20:39 St George 10-4 Melbourne
Storm defence look in disarray at the moment. Kaufusi was forced to leg-tackle Aitken after the kick, while only Asofa-Solomona seemed to have any urgency in his tackling during that set. Can they shift some momentum on the attack? They make the 56m gain, and there’s a penalty now going the Storm’s way for “attacking the leg” of the kicker. It’s against Widdop, apparently.
Addo-Carr makes them pay from their first real opportunity. He’s in some form with nine tries this season, the winger.
Smith hits the top of the upright on the conversion attempt!
Updated
H1 24:55 St George 10-0 Melbourne
Paul Vaughan pulled up short just a couple of metres before the line – Will Chambers looks to have the intercept on the following play-the-ball, stealing the ball out of Ben Hunt’s hands, but is ruled offside. Widdop will take the kick from the ensuing penalty.
Dragons are eight from nine sets, while the Storm are just three from four. Can’t get enough of the ball.
H1 26:27 St George 8-0 Melbourne
Oh no, Storm. Vunivalu looked to have an easy take but Lafai’s contact ensures he’s taken out of play. Widdop then chases up for a second kick which Slater is then forced to punch out of play. Here come the Dragons again.
H1 28:30 St George 8-0 Melbourne
Widdop follows up with the conversion. Excellent start for the Dragons – looking by far the superior side as it stands.
Here’s some vision of the try. They didn’t need to check it.
Aitken reaches out and finds the line! First Try of the afternoon.#NRLDragonsStorm 8-0 after 12 minutes. #TelstraPremiership #NRL pic.twitter.com/BpcG1NgukK
— NRL (@NRL) May 6, 2018
Updated
H1 28:47 St George 6-0 Melbourne
They’re in! It’s Aitken for his sixth try of the season. McInness was involved again, squaring up the defence, while Hunt showed the ball before he found Aitken for the outstretched try.
Updated
H1 30:22 St George 2-0 Melbourne
Graham’s back in action and looks OK currently. Another penalty against the Storm - high contact on McInnes from Asofa-Solomona. Storm pushing the boundaries as they are known to do. Nice kick from Hunt and Addo-Carr can’t stay in play. Dragons have the ball back.
Updated
H1 32:27 St George 2-0 Melbourne
Oof, Billy Slater just saves the dribble kick from Hunt. James Graham looks in trouble after the last defensive set. Looks like that was sustained after a big tackle on Ryley Jacks after the kick. Could be a shoulder or perhaps some concussion?
Play stops momentarily as Kaufusi gives away the penalty for offside and Widdop chooses to take the kick from 35m. Strike is very nice.
H1 34:45 St George 0-0 Melbourne
The end of the Dragon’s second set sees Ben Hunt fire the ball long, but there’s no problems for Vunivalu who takes it nicely. Addo-Carr with a huge run and line-break down the left after a nice Hoffman offload, he takes the Storm all the way to the 20 with a couple of tackles to come. Hoffman attempts to dive over the Dragons’ line with no luck, and Billy Slater shanks the kick, highly unusually! It’s way too long.
Updated
H1 38:00 St George 0-0 Melbourne
Big mistake on the second play of the game from Nelson Asofa-Solomona: he doesn’t even get his hands to the ball as the Dragons’ defence approaches. Can the Dragons within the first minute? No - it’s a knock-on from de Belin after Graham’s attempted offload and the Storm will come again.
Updated
Some NSW Origin news
And it could be good news for Tariq Sims:
NSW coach Brad Fittler admits Wade Graham’s hamstring woes have become a concern for the Blues a month out from the State of Origin series opener. Graham conceded he was unsure if he’d be fit for the June 6 clash, after he lasted just 27 minutes in his return match during the Sharks’ nail-biting 22-20 win over Parramatta on Saturday.
The NSW back-rower spent much of the game on the sideline with an ice pack on his left hamstring.
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan on Sunday told Triple M that Graham was facing two to three weeks on the sidelines. If he misses the Sharks’ next three games, Graham will not play before Origin I, opening the door for the likes of Tariq Sims and Jack de Belin to make their debuts.
“Hamstring injuries become a real confidence issue,” Fittler told Channel Nine’s Sunday Footy Show. “You not only have to battle to deal with the actual injury itself. There becomes a confidence with being able to stretch out and being able to kick the ball.
“His left-foot kick is so valuable at the moment. He needs to not only have the confidence to be able to do it but to get out on the field and give everything 100 per cent.”
Graham first injured his hamstring in the Sharks’ round-six loss to St George Illawarra, and has since missed wins over Cronulla and the Gold Coast.
And while Graham desperately wants to represent his state again, the difficult nature of hamstring injuries is clouding his chances.
“I just have to get through a game for Cronulla first,” Graham said when asked if he’ll be fit for Origin I. “Origin’s probably not even on the radar for me at the moment now. If I can’t get through 80 here, that’s got to be the first focus.”
- AAP
Updated
Looks like a good day for it
Plenty of red and white faithful have made their way down to Kogarah Oval for this one – and the weather is perfect for it too.
Sunday arvo, Kogarah oval. Doesn’t get any better! #NRLDragonsStorm pic.twitter.com/dqkliPrjE7
— Paul Wainwright (@PWaino) May 6, 2018
Head-to-head
These two sides have played 34 times since 1998, with 24 wins to the Storm and nine to the Dragons (with one draw). Storm won their most recent clash, 34-22 in April 2017.
The Dragons of course have better form coming into this round nine clash, with four wins from their last five, while the Storm are coming off two losses.
Teams
Final teams for #NRLDragonsStorm!#NRLFantasy pic.twitter.com/PCSiXvN5My
— NRL Fantasy (@NRLFantasy) May 6, 2018
Welcome
Hello everyone and welcome to this hotly-anticipated clash between the ladder-leading Dragons and last year’s premiers, the Melbourne Storm. Fair to say this is the most looked forward to game of the 2018 season, while of course these teams have history; the Dragons’ 1999 grand final capitulation to the Storm one that stands out. Their coach today, Paul McGregor, was co-captain that day and will be keen to emerge on top today with the Storm looking a little more vulnerable than in recent years thanks partly to the departure of Cooper Cronk.
It’s not a stretch to say this could even be the grand final preview for this year – with apologies to the Roosters amongst perhaps a couple others.
There’s a few tantalising match-ups to watch today: Matt Dufty lines up on his self-proclaimed hero in Billy Slater, Cameron McInness will match up with his namesake, Cam Smith, in yet another audition for his spot in the NSW side, while Ben Hunt, in scintillating form, has the edge on his opposite and less-experienced halfback: Ryley Jacks.
The Storm have a debutant today in Papua New Guinean Justin Olam, who is a 24-year-old rookie. The Dragons on the other hand are without injury concerns, one part of the equation in their impressive form this season.
Should be a tight one – I’m going for the Storm, just, probably only because I’m a Victorian.
Kate will be here shortly.
In the meantime have a read of Matt Cleary’s column from last week about ‘that’ try from Nene Macdonald against the Roosters.
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