Melbourne Storm v St George Illawarra Dragons
AAMI Park, 7:35pm.
Storm $1.67, Dragons $2.25 (Sportsbet)
Storm: Billy Slater, Sisa Waqa, Dane Nielsen, Beau Champion, Anthony Quinn, Maurice Blair, Gareth Widdop, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith (c), Bryan Norrie, Adam Blair, Sika Manu, Kevin Proctor. Interchange: Rory Kostjasyn, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Troy Thompson, Jaiman Lowe
Dragons: Darius Boyd, Brett Morris, Kyle Stanley, Matt Cooper, Jason Nightingale, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby (c), Dan Hunt, Nathan Fien, Michael Weyman, Beau Scott, Ben Creagh, Matt Prior. Interchange (from): Jon Green, Trent Merrin, Adam Cuthbertson, Dean Young, Kyle Stanley
THE DRAGONS WILL START their clash against Melbourne without Mark Gasnier and it looks highly likely that he will be replaced by young Kyle Stanley, a man who seems dangerous every time he touches the ball. The Dragons as a team on the contrary, look far from dangerous and more resemble a bunch of men flat on their feet with no real answers on how to quell their form slump.
They are the team on everyone’s lips and many would suggest that a trip down to Melbourne to take on the competition leaders is probably not what they need. I think it’s exactly what they need. The game should be viewed by the Dragons players as a true test of where they are at. If they wish to let themselves be decimated at the hands of the Melbourne Storm then they might as well kiss 2011 goodbye. If however, they can put in a performance that, win, lose or draw, sees them put their bodies on the line, then at least they can walk away with something to build on with two rounds remaining. The Storm are wiping the floor with all who dare to get in their way and the critics don’t judge sides that lose to them harshly. For this reason the Dragon’s goal for Round 24 should simply be to play at 100% of their ability and accept that what happens on the scoreboard happens.
Would the real St. George Illawarra Dragons please stand up?
Mike’s Best Bet: $63 on the Storm -1.5 @ $1.70
Starting Bank: $2000, Current Bank $2597.27
(Team lists sourced from nrl.com.au)
