Saturday’s second NRL Round 18 match is between Melbourne Storm and Canterbury Bulldogs with the opening kick to commence at 19:30 local time. The game is to be played at AAMI Park which see’s home team Melbourne Storm hold favouritism in the market. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Melbourne Storm and Canterbury Bulldogs.
Where and when: 19:30 | Saturday 12/07/2014 @ AAMI Park
Preview:
After a courageous win minus their Origin stars over the Gold Coast Titans back in round 14, the Storm where back to their full roster and their clinical best when disposing of Parramatta in round 15, 46 – 20.
Off that effort, the Storm were favourites to register three straight wins for the first time since the opening three weeks of this season when they travelled to Win Stadium to take on the Dragons in round 16.
However they were outgunned by an improving Dragons outfit and posted only two tries to the Dragons’ five in their 24 – 14 loss.
The Storm had the bye last week to regroup and although their record this year at home isn’t as strong as it has been in recent years, hosting the Dogs at AAMI Park will be an advantage to them.
The Storm have named each of their Origin players – Slater, Smith, Hoffman and Chambers, in the starting line-up for the clash but not so halfback Cooper Cronk who is named to return for Queensland in Origin Wednesday night from a broken arm.
BULLDOGS
It’s been a tough few months for the Bulldogs with the combination of Origin commitments and injuries, hitting the one-time competition leaders hard.
They lost three on the trot before they grinded out a 22 – 14 win over the Raiders in Canberra in round 15 and after the bye, surprised most tipsters with a tenacious 23 – 16 win over Manly last week without a host of the Origin stars participating.
These two wins typify the attitude of the Bulldogs who can tough out a win under trying conditions, a quality few in the competition possess.
The victories also give them a good leg-up heading into the post-Origin period with their each of the Origin players – Reynolds, Hodkinson and Morris, being named in this week’s side.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Bulldogs have won their last two games against the Storm – the most recent being a comprehensive 40 – 12 win at ANZ Stadium back in round 4 this year.
Worryingly though for the Bulldogs is that this game is in Melbourne, where they haven’t won since 2005. They have come close on their two most recent attempts though, losing by small margins of 4 and 6 points.
With good confidence after last week’s win and the return of their regular halves, the Bulldogs are well placed to break the drought here and in the least, will certainly make it another close encounter.
Teams:
STORM: Billy Slater, Sisa Waqa, Will Chambers, Kurt Mann, Mahe Fonua, Ben Hampton, Ben Roberts, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith, Bryan Norrie, Kevin Proctor, Ryan Hoffman, Ryan Hinchcliffe. Interchange: Kenneath Bromwich, Tohu Harris, Junior Moors, Jordan McLean, Tim Glasby, Joel Romelo.
BULLDOGS: Mitch Brown, Corey Thompson, Josh Morris, Timoteo Lafai, Krisnan Inu, Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, Sam Kasiano, Michael Ennis, James Graham, Josh Jackson, Tony Williams, Greg Eastwood. Interchange: Reni Maitua, Dale Finucane, Tim Browne, Lloyd Perrett, Damien Cook, Drury Low, Pat O’Hanlon.
News:
Melbourne Storm backrower Ryan Hinchcliffe believes the Bulldogs will lose little with five-eighth Josh Reynolds suspended for their crucial NRL clash at AAMI Park.
NSW playmaker Reynolds was rubbed out for three weeks for a shoulder charge in Wednesday night’s State of Origin clash.
Fellow Blue Josh Morris is in doubt with a knee injury while halfback Trent Hodkinson is set to play on Saturday night.
The Storm’s five-man Origin contingent came through the match unscathed with Queensland debutant Will Chambers cleared of concussion.
Maroons halfback Cooper Cronk, who was initially left out of the Storm squad, is tipped to start with Melbourne confirming their line-up after a late training run on Friday.
Hinchcliffe said that the Bulldogs’ last-round win over Manly, minus Reynolds, was proof they would still be a force without him.
Tony Williams, who wore the No.6 jersey against the Sea Eagles, is his likely replacement.
“Reynolds is an important player in their side no doubt but they’ve played without him this year leading into Origin and last week they had a really good win over Manly,” Hinchcliffe said.
Hinchcliffe described this year’s competition as the toughest and tightest he’d ever played in and said his side needed to quickly find some consistency if they wanted to be among the contenders.
They have a tough run home with five away games including two five-day turnarounds.
Hinchcliffe said it was vital they won their home matches.
“We’re getting to the back end of the season and we’ve struggled with our consistency this year,” he said.
“It’s a very important game for us and we need to make sure that we play well.”
In their last encounter in round four played in Perth, the Bulldogs crushed the Storm 40-12 which ended their undefeated start to the year.
“They’re a a dangerous side right across the park and they’ve got some big and skilful forwards with players like James Graham, who’s probably the most skilful front-rower in the game,” said Hinchcliffe.
Hinchcliffe said the Storm were thrilled to see Cronk make such a successful return from his broken arm.
“I was happy he got through the game unscathed and that he played well was a bonus,” he said.