Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm – Sunday afternoon – ANZ Stadium
Bulldogs
- Ben Barba
- Sam Perrett
- Josh Morris
- Krisnan Inu
- Jonathan Wright
- Josh Reynolds
- Kris Keating
- Aiden Tolman
- Michael Ennis (c)
- Sam Kasiano
- Frank Pritchard
- Josh Jackson
- Greg Eastwood
- James Graham
- Dale Finucane
- Corey Payne
- David Stagg
Coach - Des Hasler
Storm
- Billy Slater
- Sisa Waqa
- Dane Neilsen
- Will Chambers
- Justin O'Neill
- Gareth Widdop
- Cooper Cronk
- Jesse Bromwich
- Cameron Smith (c)
- Bryan Norrie
- Kevin Proctor
- Ryan Hoffman
- Todd Lowrie
- Ryan Hinchcliffe
- Sika Manu
- Jaiman Lowe
- Richie Fa'aoso
Coach - Craig Bellamy
Well it's hard to question the form of either team going into the big game - the Bulldogs have won 15 of their last 16 and the Storm, after a post-Origin hiccup, have strung together seven on the trot. These sides clearly deserve to be here. The new finals system has given us some handy form references for this clash, as both sides defeated the same opponents on their way to the grand final. On face value you would say the way the Storm dismantled the Rabbitohs (24-6) and the Sea Eagles (40-12) was slightly more decisive than the Bulldogs, but there was nothing wrong with the Bulldogs performances. Interestingly, both these sides conceded the same number of tries to each opponent (one to the Rabbitohs and two to the Sea Eagles). Neither side leaks points easily, and we should expect a low-scoring grand final on Sunday afternoon. History has created a unique circumstance for the Melbourne Storm - many of their players know what it takes to win a grand final yet none of them, officially at least, have won a grand final. That for me is a salivating combination, because the hunger will be there and they have so much experience to draw upon. I haven't the faintest idea what that is worth to a team, but it must be worth something. They also have a game plan that can beat the Bulldogs. Pin-point kicks to the corners at the end of their sets and a good kick chase. Ben Barba doesn't need a lot of time and space, but the Storm need to give him as little as they possibly can. To contain the Bulldogs in this manner you have to execute this perfectly, but perfection is something the Storm have made a habit of in recent seasons. If anyone can maintain a perfect kicking game for 80 minutes it's Cooper Cronk (my wife certainly thinks he's perfect). This strategy not only limits the impact of Ben Barba, but keeps those big Bulldogs forwards trudging up and down the field. The Bulldogs forwards make more metres with the ball than just about anyone, but they face a team who limits the metres of their opponent better than anyone. It's quite an interesting battle yes? And once again, I think the Storm have the game to win that battle. Despite all that, the Bulldogs have an ace up their sleeve. We all know who he is, and we all know he's hiding up a sleeve, but cor blimey there's not much anyone has been able to do about it. Ben Barba can turn this game in a moment - from anywhere or from nowhere. Melbourne could dominate this game for 70 minutes and still lose, because the Bulldogs will be close enough and Ben Barba is good enough to turn nothing into something. It's a magic show, and I don't want to know how he does it. These sides have faced each other twice this season for one victory a piece. Their last clash was in Mackay in round 16, when Ben Barba brought his magic show to his home town. The Bulldogs won pretty convincingly that day, but it should be noted that the Storm were without Billy Slater and that was the beginning of that rather extraordinary form slump. The clash in round seven might be a better guide, when the Storm won a tight battle by 12-6. A scoreline like that wouldn't surprise on Sunday, and I think the Storm can draw on their big-match experience and notch up a grand final victory they truly deserve.
Verdict – Storm 20 to defeat Bulldogs 12; First try scorer - Ryan Hoffman; Clive Churchill medal - Cooper Cronk
Result - Storm 14 defeated Bulldogs 4; First try scorer - Ryan Hoffman; Clive Churchill medal - Cooper Cronk
Wally Lewis - grand final selection (in bold)
Note: tips from Wally will be published as soon as possible (usually on Thursday night or early Friday morning).
- BULLDOGS vs Storm
Comments
Submitted by mark on
Thinker......methinks you are right on the money
Thanks for the entertainment & tips this year!
Submitted by Rick on
Hi thinker for me the Bulldogs to win.
Thank you for all the great tips and insights this year :)
I look forward to next year.
Submitted by a on
Here is my per dictions
Grand final game tangle as we await kickoff between the Bulldogs and Storm. With both teams in red hot form, this shapes as a bruising encounter as a near-to-capacity crowd files in.
2nd It's the Bulldogs who have a first crack at the line this evening as Cameron Smith, after glancing at the line after coming out of dummy half, loses it cold on the fourth tackle, 25 metres out. Huge chance.
3rd A disjointed effort from the hosts as Josh Reynolds works his way to the left, hesitating before sending it to Josh
Jackson, who under close scrutiny, loses it forward four metres out. Bright opening though.
5th Fluid play from the Bulldogs as Josh Reynolds, deep in his defensive half, chips from the scrum base for Sam Perrett who chases it down, takes it in, but loses it as Billy Slater comes from behind to click his heels.
7th TRY BULLDOGS - Silky play from the Titans as Michael Ennis scrambles out from dummy half, looks to the left, and with sleight of hand, pops it to Greg Eastwood on his outside from five metres out. Classy.
9th CONVERSION BULLDOGS - No issues for Kris Keating, as presented with a conversion from 30 metres in, 20 metres out, he slides it over to send the Bulldogs clear by 6-0. They look up for this do the hosts.
11th TRY BULLDOGS - Buldogs's blazing start continues as working the ball to the right, James Graham is allowed to offload, finding Ben Barba in support from five metres out. Where was the Tigers defence?
13th CONVERSION BULLDOGS - From twelve metres out, slotted straight in front of the posts, Kris Keating pilots home the extra two points, and Bulldogs continue to keep pace with the clock. Electric start
15th Hard to believe that with almost 15 minutes played, the Storm are yet to really see the ball in anything resembling quality field position. Credit to the Titans though. Their defence is scorching.
17th Kris Keating, clutching his right shoulder, sends a scare through the Titans camp as the Bulldogs find themselves 15 out, three tackles in. All seems well though as Kris Keating gets his kick away on the last.
19th Perhaps it's bad news for the Bulldogs as Kris Keating is escorted down the tunnel, but not before turning to the medical staff to declare that he thinks he may have broken his collarbone. Watch this space..
21th An opportunity for the Storm as Ben Barba is brought to ground by Justin O'Neill, losing the ball in the process. For the first time this evening, the visitors will have a look at the Bulldogs line from 15 out.
23rd The chance is a brief one for the Storm, as trying to run a decoy, David Stagg misreads the pass and puts it down in front of him eight metres out. Cameron Smith tries to offer encouragement as the scrum is fed.
25th No news on Kris Keating just as yet as he remains shirtless in the sheds, but on-field, and with Josh Reynolds slotting in as a makeshift halfback, the points seem to have dryed up as the heavens begin to open.
26th BRAIN EXPLOSION - With the Storm snuffing out a Bulldogs error, Dane Neilsen storms 35 metres downfield before finding Cameron Smith, who with five tackles to spare, and support looming, grubbers it dead in goal!
28th You feel that if the Storm are any chance of mounting a challenge, they're going to need a little more effort from Gareth Widdop, who has been somewhat quiet thus far. Storm looking very slow in attack.
30th FIELD GOAL BULLDOGS - Fast running out of ideas, Josh Reynolds brings the Bulldogs to the left, before noticing a slow-moving defensive line, and steps back to slot an extra point from 25 out to the right.
32nd Play is getting more and more sloppy from the Storm as Gareth Widdop elects to grubber towards the in goal, but only finds Jonathan Wright, close to the left post padding, from nine metres out. Why not run it?
34th Bulldogs come knocking once more as Cameron Smith looks to find Cooper Cronk across field, but finds empty space in front of Jaiman Lowe, who snatches at it, and knocks it on 45 out. Lacklustre from the visitors.
36th Will Chambers and Billy Slater combine to snuff out a crafty kick from Josh Reynolds, which bobbles in-goal before being ruled as a knock on by Archer. Bulldogs will get a further look as the Storm draw breath.
38th Exciting last phase football from the Storm as play is swept back to the left, before ending up with Gareth Widdop who skips to the sideline, shows the ball, and dribbles it dead in goal from 10 out.
40th Positive news for the Bulldogs with confirmation received that Kris Keating has slightly injured his shoulder, and will return for the second half. If the Storm continue like this, he mightn't be needed!
40:00 Half Time and in a battle for the championship, it's been a half with only one team competing for the honour, with the Bulldogs controlling every facet, to comfortably lead 13-0 at the break.
I will be back tomorrow to tell you if the storm will come back form tthe 13-0 score at half time or will bulldogs go on and win the title
Submitted by Craig on
Desi's Dogs have had a remarkable year, no one really expected them to be this good, in essence they are playing basic football, keep the ball alive, go forward with bigmen and the backs will get you points, throw in Barber, Morris, Reynolds and the sniper like skills of Inu and you have a very strong line-up. Michael Ennis is a grub, there is no denying that, but the bloke can play footy, he is calm enough under pressure to keep his head and has been around awhile now so has that experience too. The area i believe is the Dogs biggest problem is also their biggest strength, they have but one game plan, one trick...it's a very good one, but at this time of year, playing a side like Melbourne it wont be enough. In 2006 Melbourne lost a GF to the Bronco's because Wayne Bennett out thought Bellamy, Brisbane had a plan B, they beat the Storm by playing the same type of game and at half time the master coach switched it up. Des is a great coach but he isn't Wayne and he also has too many players that are inexperienced at this level, Barber isn't as good as Slater yet, he knows this, Ennis knows Smith has his number and the story goes on with most of them. I just cant see the Bulldogs winning this game, i think they will be nervous and in turn will hold the ball a lot more, their style of play will break down some and they will try to grind it out until eventually they realise its over, then they wil make errors and show the lack of big game experience where Melbourne will score twice in the final 10 or so minutes.
The Storm in my opinion are a more complete team, the 7, 9 and 1 positions are covered with very experienced men who regularly pull off super star performances and they are the key to unlocking the potential of the other 10 players wearing the Melbourne jersey, on Friday night we saw them come together to annihilate Manly, maybe they had some karma-tic help or an old fashioned get square by the video muppets, but whatever you call it they were just about perfect. Melbourne have the inner desire to win fuelled by the salary cap fiasco, these players, these men, know deep down inside they won those premierships, you cant take that away and i believe the biggest get square they can have is to win this game.
MEL 28 - BUL 10
Submitted by Craig on
Thanks for everything this season Thinker and Wally, I've thoroughly enjoyed the page and weekly comments, ill be back in 2013
Submitted by The Thinker on
Thanks everyone for taking the time to come back each week. Thanks to everyone who had something to say, and thanks to all of you (and there are many) who didn't. We appreciate your support and interest.
The Thinker will be back in 2013. Fingers crossed we might have ourselves a little tipping comp on the site next season. Let's see how clever we can be during the off-season.
If I get inspired I'll throw together a Melbourne Cup form guide on the site later in the year. As I said, it's a long off-season (and I have picked the trifecta two years on the trot...so it might be worth a look-see).
Otherwise, enjoy the grand final and the rest of the year.
Submitted by diddy on
thinker you were brilliant once again this year...enjoyed your insights and everyone elses thoughts throughout the season!! Can't wait till 2013!
Com'on SSSSSTTTOOOOORRRRRRRMMMMMMMM!!!!
Submitted by a on
Here is my 2nd half perdictions
42nd It what could be a carbon copy of the first half, possession is turned over by the Storm in their first set, with Rory Kostjayson knocking on 40 metres out. Once again, the Bulldogs will get an early look.
43rd Confident play from the Storm as Cooper Cronk weaves to the left side, before electing to weight a nice grubber ingoal, which is shadowed to the extremities before being batted dead by Ben Barba. Drop out.
45th TRY STORM - And superbly constructed. With quick ball to the right, and a myriad of decoy runners, Cameron Smith works Todd Lowrie back on his inside with a silky ball, from 15 metres out.
47th CONVERSION STORM - From the right of the posts, and positioned 20 metres out, Gareth Widdop converts Todd Lowrie effort to breathe life into this contest, as the Storm trail 13-6. Game on.
48th TRY STORM - Well well!! Cameron Smith darts out of dummy half, high inside his half, breaks the line, hammers 30 metres downfield and finds Sisa Waqa on his right from 30 metres out. Here they come!
49th CONVERSION STORM - Gareth Widdop bangs the two points home from in front, and it's amazing what possession can do for you! Only an opportunistic field goal the difference now. Bulldogs lead 13-12.
51st It's now the Bulldogs that are feeling the brunt, as possession and position early in this half, has fallen for the Storm. Kristan Inu compounds the issue by raking the ball as Gareth Widdop finds touch 25 out.
53rd A blade of grass in it as Billy Slater roundsRyan Hinchcliffe and Bryan Norrie, before appearing to flash past Dane Neilsen to ground the ball in goal. Admire his attempt, but his right boot was clearly on the sideline.
55th Dene Halatau looks to stand tall on the last line for the Storm, as Kris Keating sends a searching midfield bomb in his direction. With an eye on the ball, and an eye on the line, he knocks on in goal.
57th TRY BULLDOGS - Counting the numbers,Kris Keating tears down the left of the Strom defence before sending a cut out across Dane Neilsen, Rory Kostjayson and Justin O'Neill which finds Sam Perrett sliding into the corner. Brilliant.
59th CONVERSION BULLDOGS - Tight on the sideline, Kris Keating wraps this one over the crossbar, to once again send the Bulldogs clear by seven points. I wouldn't discount the Storm yet as they trail 19-12.
61th Storm will go straight back into attack as they chase down the Bulldogs, who have seemed to have all the answers to any questions asked of them tonight. Doubt still lingers over Kris Keating though.
63rd Cameron Smith is starting to come into his own here as the Storm chase points from 25 metres out. Despite his earlier gaffes, this encounter is opening up for his trademark dummy half scurries.
64th TRY STORM - Cometh the hour, cometh the man! Cameron Smith, looking urgently to his left side, grubbers heavily towards the line, has it richochet off Michael Ennis, and back into the arms of Ryan Hoffman under the posts
66th CONVERSION STORM - We're back to a one point ball game as Gareth Widdop steers home extra points from in front, to have the Storm trailing 19-18. Cliche' sure, but this game is up for grabs right now.
68th Bulldogs break back into attack as Jaiman Lowe is penalised for taking out Sam Kasiano, as he looked to wrap up Bryan Norrie. With the Storm in attack 35 metres out, this could be a massive call in the context.
70th Ryan Hoffman looks to have taken Corey Payne around the chops as the Bulldogs look for points down the right, with the ball spilt in the process. Badger comes in, has a look, and reluctantly rules the knock on.
72nd inside 10 minutes to go, you're left wondering what else the Storm have in store as Gareth Widdop heads upfield with a well weighted kick, which sits up for Sisa Waqa to run back inside the field of play.
74th An odd ending to the set for the Storm, as with Gareth Widdop breaking down the right, Cooper Cronk opts to put backspin on a kick which hits the turf, rolls five metres and runs itself dead in goal from 25 out.
76th Todd Lowrie stays down for treatment after being buckled oddly in the tackle, appearing to have taken a hit across the nose. Storm want time blown off as Badger comes to the party to do so.
76th Kris Keating heads to the air with a midfield bomb from 30 out, which is deflected off Justin O'Neill to Cameron Smith, and Badger is on the scene to adjudge it a knock on. Lucky not to be intentionally offside to be honest.
79th PENALTY GOAL BULLDOGS - After seeing Cooper Cronk penalised for a high shot on Corey Payne, Prince plays it safe, and from 25 out, takes his sweet time to add the two, milking the clock in the process. It's 21-18.
80th Time for the Storm to pull this one of the fire as Greg Eastwood is sent to the blood bin, with the visitors feeding a scrum 25 out from the Bulldogs line. Storm have 40 seconds, and 70 metres to travel..
full time Full Time at ANZ and a much improved second half has dragged the Storm to the brink of an upset victory, but a dogged effort from the Bulldogs sees them run out 21-18 victors.
Hope you have enjoyed my perdictions for the grand finals and hope to see you next year I even have a idea for the Thinker to put the draw up and our perdictions for the top and bottom 8 and I hope he puts up a tipping comp for all of us
Submitted by wayne mckay on
Could go either way.Just hope for a great game with the winner the best team on the day and no bad refs calls.Thanks for your tips during the year,enjoyed them.
Submitted by ROB on
ironically this is the hardest game to predict for the whole season considering the past grand finals were very one sided.. as everyones been saying, the two teams are in form and playing the best football most of us have seen in recent years.. so for me the safest bet is the under.
anyway, thinker, whoever you are, thanks for the tips week in and week out. we reaally appreciate it and we all hope you would be back next season. and p.s. a melbourne cup tip would be nice too!
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Well, after watching these 2 great sides work their way into the GF, I can honestly say they both deserve to be there for sure. Cannot wait until Sunday arvo to witness the great spectacle! Just hope I'm not too hung over from watching the aerial ping-pong on Saturday (sorry, I have to - I am a West Aussie after all and the boys are putting on a barbie and grog plus I'm getting driven there and back so it's all good).
Anyway, have been mulling this one over all week and was still undecided on who to plonk the reddies on until The Thinker put me straight! Thanks brother. Win or lose I'll enjoy the game I'm sure and as others have mentioned, just hope it's a good game and the best team wins.
Cheers and enjoy yourselves on Sunday...
Submitted by a on
I would like to also say thanks from post nice comments and there is a few that that posted inappropriate comments and I got another idea what about if we put up a off season page to see how clever we are
Submitted by SteelPanther on
Cheers to Thinker and Wally for the advice and tips. Enjoyed everyone else's input too. Thanks to all and wondering now what I'm gonna do since the footy is over for another season. Good to see the best team won yesterday!! See ya next year
Submitted by Craig on
How about a page for the Aus v NZ game?
Submitted by a on
Good Idea i will be at the match so I can perdict what I am going to see
Submitted by Craig on
Australia should win i think, but not so sure on bookies odds.
Aust 1.20
NZ 4.50
That seems a bit unfair, NZ are not that bad are they?
Submitted by a on
Austrilia by 4 I think