2nd Semi Final - Melbourne vs Newcastle

Discussion in 'Matches' started by Maroon_Faithful, Sep 21, 2013.

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  1. KimmorleyKiller XX Meister

    ...whaaaaaaat
     
    KimmorleyKiller, Sep 22, 2013
    #141

  2. 99* JJ Ritchie

    TBF though the Storms first try came of the biggest bullshit penalty.
     
    99*, Sep 22, 2013
    #142

  3. Alec AD Funkotron

    True, it was an extremely soft penalty. Missing the Buderus thing was worse though IMO, especially considering how blatant it was and that the ref was actually looking in that direction.

    Other than those two blunders the reffing was good though IMO.
     
    Alec, Sep 22, 2013
    #143

  4. Pretzel P Retzel

    Newcastle were the better team the whole way though.
     
    Pretzel, Sep 22, 2013
    #144

  5. Toolman TR Man

    I dunno about the whole way, the second half of the second half they certainly weren't.
     
    Toolman, Sep 22, 2013
    #145

  6. Magic AJ Parker

    Gotta wonder if it's the end of an era for Melbourne.

    Their key players are starting to get to that age where massive schedules with rep duties and carrying their club side is just going to continually take a bigger toll on their ability to perform to such a high standard week in, week out.

    I reckon Bellamy is probably regretting not resting his key players in the back end of the season, they all just looked really out of touch. Slater and Cronk in particular imo.
     
    Magic, Sep 23, 2013
    #146

  7. Maroon_Faithful M Faithful

    I agree that they're doing it tough because of wear and tear. My main criticism is the evolution of their play. It seems to me that Melbourne tried to reinvent themselves a bit with the way they play, which I don't think one can criticise Bellamy for doing. It's more the decisions they made. I've been saying it for a long time now but I maintain there was a distinct lack of patience from their key players and the team in general. They moved away from the hallmarks with which we've come to identify them; highly structured, perhaps even predictable and mechanical but always meat and potatoes roll forward, kick long and solid defence. To me they tried to become more enterprising in attack and that lead to a much higher error count which for some teams is like cancer. Melbourne is one of those teams. Frustration sets in and with that comes erratic play and incomprehensible decision making. Cronk alone made so many bad decisions and ridiculous plays this year I lost count.
     
    Maroon_Faithful, Sep 23, 2013
    #147

  8. Cribbage RG Cribb

    I actually think a lot of this has to do with the fact that their pack just isn't very good. They struggle to roll up the field and that's when they get frustrated and believe their own hype about the big three combination. I saw elements of it last year as well at times.

    Widdop coming back from injury and playing like arse for two weeks hasn't helped either. KK was right in that he gave them another running option but I thought with Cronk's form a bit on the nose in general, Finch would've helped lighten the load. Not exactly a hindsight post either as I said it when Widdop came back in for Finch and successfully bet against Melbourne two weeks in a row because of it.
     
    Cribbage, Sep 23, 2013
    #148

  9. Maroon_Faithful M Faithful

    I agree. The pack is very ordinary. They get away with more than what most teams would because of Smith.
     
    Maroon_Faithful, Sep 23, 2013
    #149

  10. Julian BJ Taylor

    The worst thing for Melbourne was flogging canberra imo
     
    Julian, Sep 23, 2013
    #150

  11. Sultan Pepper HG Emm

    Good to see the Storm gone, well and truly sick of the cunts.
     
    Sultan Pepper, Sep 23, 2013
    #151
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