Round 3: Knights v Storm preview
Andy gives his thoughts on this weekend's meeting between the Newcastle Knights and the Melbourne Storm at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal.
Knights look to find form against a weak Storm front
An in-form but under-gunned Melbourne Storm side head to the Hunter to take on a Knights side, staring at a 0-3 start to the season. The 10-game winning steak of last year for the Knights is something they have to get out of their thoughts, says Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien. Even though it was a similar start to last season, and the losses were a foundation to bring out the dream form run, O'Brien says they have to be looking forward, not backward, if their season is to improve. Even with the Knights having bragging rights of a 26-18 win in their last meeting in round 21, their 0-2 start to the season will be something they want to turn around for the home crowd. Off the back of what is touted as the try of the year and a gutsy performance to score 12 points in the dying throws of a game to win, the Melbourne Storm will be digging deep as an unfamiliar halves combination will control a depleted Strom for their first away game of the 2024 season.
And the Storm aren't the only ones with a shake-up in the halves, as a positional shift has been played by Adam O'Brien, with Jackson Hasting being relegated to the reserves and ex-Penrith halves back up, Jack Cogger being bought up to pair with Tyson Gamble. Coach O'Brien may be looking to get a halves pairing that will get the ball out to the backs more and in the lap of start Kalyn Ponga. With more ball time for the gun fullback, we could see the attacking form that shook up the teams they played at the back end of 2023. With Cameron Munster sidelined by a lingering groin issue and Jahrome Hughes pleading guilty to contrary conduct against match referee Chris Butler, the Storm will be looking to Tyran Wishart and Jonah Pezet to command a Storm side that was starting to look ominous.
The Knights have come close in their last two matches, and their loss to the Cowboys last round in golden point, as frustrating as it was, shows the team is hungry for 2024 and, in Kayla Ponga's words, just needs to tweak the details to get the W. It was the start of the second half where the Knights seemed to come undone against the Cowboys, allowing them to crawl back after leading half-time. Coach O'Brien will be asking his team to come out firing for the full 80, and after the Strom's heroics in the last round against the Warriors, they will need to tweak those details for the full 80 to remain competitive and in the hunt.
Craig Bellamy looked like a proud father in the on-field post-interview after what was a miraculous comeback against a tough Warriors outfit at AAMI Park. With 3 minutes to go and 8 points down, a relentless Strom went over via some Ryan Papenhuyzen brilliance. It was soon followed by one of the most athletic displays by a rugby league player in some time. With about 30 seconds to go, the Storm backline manoeuvred beautifully to the Warrior's right edge, and Reimis Smith delivered a ball to Xavier Coates, who launched himself over Dallin Watene-Zelezniak walk to score with laser-like accuracy and take the game. Bellamy said Papenhuyzen was starting to get his mojo back, and as unbelievable as Coates's efforts were, he wasn't surprised due to the young winger's work ethic at training. Even with these heroics, it seemed the Storm fizzled during some changes in the middle at halftime, which also saw errors creep into their game. It will be on the fresh halves combination to make sure their middlemen keep their heads up at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.
The Knights will be without bullocking winger Greg Marzhew for at least 4 weeks due to a wrist injury, which sees Enari Tuala come into his spot. The Knights will welcome back Jayden Brailey who will come off the bench, while Mat Croker and Will Pryce will be in the reserves for the 22 man squad. The Storm have a range of injuries to their stars, with Cameron Munster still not knowing when his return will be, Nelson Asofa-Solomona's hamstring will keep him out till at least round 5, and Christian Welsh will sit this game out due to concussion protocols.
Last meeting: Round 21 2023 - Knights 26 Storm 18
Who to watch: Even though the Storm are missing some marquee players, they have power hitters on the field who are finding their stride. Ryan Papenhuyzen looks to be getting his mojo back and will be keen to show he is the better of fullbacks on the day. Harry Grant will be the usual trouble in the middle if he decides to run and get the Knights forwards in a cat-and-mouse game around the ruck it may be a long day for the Newcastle team. Melbourne has supreme finishers on either side of the field in Will Warbrick and Xavier Coates, and we can only hope for some more athletic performance from theism this game.
Jack Cogger proved himself last year, settling into the halfback position, while Nathan clearly was absent for Penrith through injury. The Knights have the means in the middle to at least trouble Melbourne if Cogger can control them. It may be, though, that his skills in getting the ball out to Kalyn Ponga will be the attack plan for the Knights. Undoubtedly, when Ponga is involved and running in the game, the team will lift, and combined with either Dane Gagai or Bradman Best, we could see some exciting clashes in the outside backs.
Favourite: Even with a 0-2 record so far it seems the bookies are keen on the home team to get the glory this Sunday. Sure, it's tight, but with the unfamiliar halves combo for the Storm, it may be a tougher battle for them this Sunday.
My tip: The Storm seems to be finding the rewards of a good offseason, and even with key players like Hughes out of the team, Wishart and Pezet have had enough runs to keep the plays sharp. Storm to get the win away, just! against a hungry Knights team looking to turn the season around.
