Warriors v Storm

[amsport]

Sunday afternoon sees the reigning premiers Melbourne Storm travel across the Tasman to take on the New Zealand Warriors at Mt. Smart Stadium.

The Warriors not surprisingly have a fantastic home record and will look to keep that intact against the might of the Melbourne Storm who seem to take it up a notch every week leading up to the finals.

Both sides are coming off convincing wins, with the Warriors blowing the Bulldogs away in the first half last week to convert a 30-6 half time lead into a 40-22 victory. The Storm did what no other club has been able to do this season ? keep the fiery Dragons scoreless.

The Warriors sit in 11th, level with Canberra and West Tigers but behind on differential. They have managed just 21.6 points per game while have had an average of 27.5 points scored against them. The Storm have posted only 21.4 points per game but boast the best defensive record in the league having let in only 13.3 points per game.

The Warriors have in the past been known in the past for a free running, high scoring style of football and until last week we have seen none of that this year.

Brent Tate managed to run a massive 207m for a team total of 1528 but they still sit 12th in meters gained compared to the Storm?s third. If the Storm has had an Achilles heel this year it has been there completion rate. They sit ninth in the competition for completions. However, the Warriors have had a shocking year and sit 14th in completions and eighth in errors.

The Warriors have shown in recent weeks that if they hang on to the ball and show some discipline they are a real chance of breaking into the eight with upcoming games against South Sydney and Brisbane. The Storm have gone from strength to strength and turned in a near perfect display last week in a very physical encounter against the Dragons and traveling will not bother them too much.

According to the history books it is impossible to split the two sides. Of their last nine matches, the Storm have won five, notching up an average of 21.3 points against the Kiwis, who have managed 16.8. They seem to take it in turns at beating each other and this may suggest that it could be the Warriors day this Sunday.

In their last encounter, the Storm held out the Warriors narrowly (22-18) at Olympic Park where Manu Vatuvei cored a double only to be outdone by Billy Slater who bagged a hat-trick.

The leading points scorer for the Warriors is goal kicker Michael Witt on 76 point (34 conversions) while their leading try scorer Manu Vatuvei with eight will miss this week?s game with injury.

The Storm field a side with only one change as Anthony Quinn makes his return from a concussion. Their leading point scorer Cameron Smith hasn?t been the sharpest with the boot (47/62) but thanks to the likes of Billy Slater and Greg Inglis with 10 tries apiece he has had plenty of chances.

The Warriors have a chance to keep there season alive and are starting to play an entertaining brand of football so look for a plenty of points in this one (over 50 is not bad option).

Those who like to place league bets on try scorers could side with Inglis, Slater and possibly Tate.

In a game that will be won and lost in the centers as both sides match up well in the middle, Melbourne may just be to classy for a tough Warriors outfit. Don?t discount the home ground advantage though.

[Grimmace]

Wasnt sure what to do with the thread in question so i moved it here.

[Titanium_BD1103]

Grimmace, put it as a match preview in the actual match thread.. that's my suggestion