Storm get it right

After a season that has been characterised by impatience, last week's emphatic win over the highly fancied Sydney Roosters marked the first time in a long time, that the Storm has got it right.

The only negative from the weekend was a broken collarbone to winger Matt Geyer. Geyer will undergo surgery today in an attempt to be available for the last round of the year and or the finals.

The 27-year-old is expected to miss between six and eight weeks, with Fijian Semi Tadulala set to take Geyer's place on the wing.

Melbourne coach Mark Murray was particularly satisfied with his team's completion rate, an area that has been a thorn in the Storm's side all year.

“I was most pleased with our completion rate, that's probably been our achillis heel for the year - soft turnovers,” Murray said.

“There's been a bit of a tendency in the team to force passes and put pressure situations on each other, resulting in too much turnover or soft turnovers.

“We had a 91 percent completion rate for the Roosters game and it was 100 percent in our own end, so that certainly was a huge improvement and a pleasing factor. I was also pleased with our defensive line which I thought was pretty strong - the Roosters have got a fair bit of attacking flair but we managed to negate that.”

Murray was full of praise for halfback Matt Orford who's kicking game was at its brilliant best against the Roosters. Similarly Murray noted the contribution made by Willie Leyshon - who amassed 24 tackles and 17 line breaks - and stand-in winger Semi Tadulala.

“Willie Leyshon played the full 80 minutes and along with Matt Orford was probably our best. Semi Tadulala in only his second NRL also did a great job for Matt Geyer moving to five-eighth.”

Melbourne has the chance to rest up this week courtesy of the bye while Robbie Kearns (ankle) and Robbie Ross (torn calf) are expected to return for the following week's clash against the Panthers.

For further information Contact

James Avery: Phone (03) 9421 3222 Mobile: 0411 623 024 javery@melbournestorm.com.au