NRL Match Previews - Melbourne Storm v St George Illawarra Dragons

  vs  
02-04-2010 02:10PM at Etihad Stadium

Referee: Jared Maxwell and Gerard Sutton
Touch Judges: David Abood and Gavin Morris
Referee: Bill Harrigan

Game of the season at this early stage. The two best defensive teams in the competition so you know it will be uncompromising, aggressive, and close and if we are lucky - slightly violent. These teams do have a history of 'restless' behaviour: so let's hope Billy Slater and Jason Nightingale run into each other a few times, and perhaps Jeremy Smith can incite an altercation against his old club.

All the fun aside, Cooper Cronk will make a huge difference to the Storm, as he did last week, and will ignite their attack. His combination with Smith and Slater against a frigid Dragons defense will be like watching a heavyweight title fight. Ducking, weaving, jabbing, and trying different combinations to punch a hole in the opposition - it will be super entertaining. The Dragons defense holds out and they score enough points through Ben Creagh and an ever improving backline to win a close one.

My Man of the Match Prediction: Jeremy Smith
My Tip: Saints 19-18

The Teams

Melbourne Storm               St George Illawarra Dragons
Suspensions No Suspensions Injuries S. Manu S. Kite B. White C. Stanley	1. Billy Slater Fullback 1. Darius Boyd 2. Luke MacDougall Wing 2. Brett Morris 3. Dane Nielsen Centre 3. Beau Scott 4. Greg Inglis Centre 4. Matt Cooper 5. Anthony Quinn Wing 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Brett Finch Five Eighth 6. Jamie Soward 7. Cooper Cronk Halfback 7. Ben Hornby 8. Aiden Tolman Prop 8. Matt Prior 9. Cameron Smith Hooker 9. Luke Priddis 10. Jeff Lima Prop 10. Michael Weyman 11. Adam Blair Second Row 11. Jeremy Smith 12. Kevin Proctor Second Row 12. Ben Creagh 13. Todd Lowrie Lock 13. Dean Young 14. Ryan Hinchcliffe Interchange 14. Jon Green 15. Hep Cahill Interchange 15. Nick Emmett 16. Ryan Tandy Interchange 16. Dan Hunt 17. Jesse Bromwich Interchange 17. Jarrod Saffy	Suspensions No Suspensions Injuries N. Fien N. Costigan P. Tagive

Head to Head

LeagueUnlimited Tipsters - Courtesy of www.MyTips.com.au

DragonPunk
(Justin Davies)

Dragons


Total Score
32

Twizzle
(Kevin Brennan)

Storm


Total Score
30

Non Terminator
(Josh Hill)

Dragons


Total Score
30

CobyDelaney
(Coby Delaney)

Dragons


Total Score
18

Willow
(Steve Williams)

Dragons


Total Score
18

Other Games this Round

• Melbourne Storm v St George Illawarra Dragons at Etihad Stadium
• Sydney Roosters v Brisbane Broncos at Sydney Football Stadium
• Cronulla Sutherland Sharks v Parramatta Eels at Toyota Stadium
• North Queensland Cowboys v Gold Coast Titans at Dairy Farmers Stadium
• New Zealand Warriors v Manly Sea Eagles at Mt Smart Stadium
• Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium
• Newcastle Knights v Penrith Panthers at EnergyAustralia Stadium
• South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium