Round 25: Storm v Dolphins preview
Saturday night at AAMI Park will see top-of-the-ladder Melbourne Storm take on the Dolphins, who have struggled to find their early season form, as they slump out of the top 8.
Melbourne proved they were worth as top dog on the ladder with a gritty performance against the Penrith Panthers last round, cutting it close at 24-22 to the Panthers at home.
In a clash that saw blood, sin bins and officiating controversy, the Storm managed to hold off the Panthers elite and register the win. Admittedly, the loss of Nathan Cleary to a shoulder injury would have dented the hopes for the Panthers 15 minutes before the end of the game. Still, just as likely, Penrith should have tightened the screws when the Storm were down to 12 after Nelson Asofa-Solomona was sent off for a high shot. Nelson Asofa-Solomona doing such a good job he took out Daine Laurie and Cameron Munster in one fell swoop. Munster seems to be showing no issues with the nagging groin injury from mischief in the shower while in Fiji, putting on a performance that was gearing him and the team up for a solid finals run. Storm coach Craig Bellamy was disappointed the team gave up a 10-0 lead on the Panthers and will surely tighten this up for the next game. When quizzed about whether he'll be resting players, he said it is up to the individual and won't stand in the way of those who want to play. But Bellamy's hand has been played regarding Grant Anderson, who will miss a match due to a head knock during the last round. His place is the super utility, Tyran Wishart.
The Dolphins were at Bundaberg last round and could not rally anything going down 30-10 to the Canterbury Bulldogs. The biggest disappointment was how quiet the team was in the second half, a worrying trend that has seen them slip from finals hopes to fighting desperately for a spot in the eight. When asked how the team lost the fight it had at the start of the year, coach Wayne Bennett said it was because of other teams lifting to the occasion. He also said the team doesn't lack belief but rather that they lack execution. The Dolphins have let themselves down in their second-half performances, and instead of keeping themselves in the contest, they have just let teams run over them. But like with any team, set completions and dogged defence will help you stay in the game, and you will be that team pressuring the opposition on their goal line with a minute to go down only by two points. Mark Nicholls returns from concussion protocols to take a spot on the bench.
Last meeting: Round 16 2024 - Dolphins 24 Storm 30
Who to watch: A fully operational Cameron Munster will razzle and dazzle a team into submission, weaving his magic and taking the opposition's attention; the other class players around him cut through, such as Jahrome Hughes, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Harry Grant. Josh King and Eliesa Katoa are both the workhorses of the side; Katoa, as an edge forward, has found fantastic form in the way coach Bellamy has been playing him. His efforts in the chase for the ball continue to be rewarded as his fingers glue to anything that comes his way. And it's been the athleticism of Will Warbrick that has helped to unlock Katoa's game. Warbrick will run hard, jump high, and generally doesn't seem to know when to stop making a contest for the ball.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will be the Dolphins biggest X-factor; the Hammer will hunt you down, the Hammer will pop up from a break in play, and he has the energy to make a play that can turn the game in the Dolphins favour. They have to find that mojo that was getting them the accolades and the points and a name teams were giving attention to. Isaiya Katoa will have to bring his kicking game on Saturday. It's safe to say on his day, Katoa will kick on par with the likes of Hughes, but he will have to try that little bit harder than his opposite number; as Hughes gets a front foot, so does the rest of the team
FAVOURITE: If you've been at the top of the ladder since round 15, have beaten the next real threat in the competition and have the best lineup on the field in weeks, you will be tipped as the favourite, and rightfully so.
MY TIP: The Dolphins will put on a solid performance, but the Storm are in that zone; they have shown they can take it to the best and will be in no mood to let the Johhny-come-lately's tarnish their road to the finals. The Dolphins are yet to beat the Storm, and even though they've come close, they are off their mark at the moment; although they may get a chance to recalibrate their attack potential, there is just too much behind the Storm for them not to take the win at AAMI Park,
