The Sydney Roosters stuttering attack has failed them again tonight and they will now sit last on the current NRL ladder after tonights 28-12 loss to the Melbourne Storm at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford.It was a 5 try to 2 drubbing to the Storm, and it makes for the Roosters’ 4th loss in 5 weeks.
Many felt the travelling Storm would struggle with so many players backing up from rep matches earlier in the weekend, but the win gets them to 11 points and sees them re-join teams in the Top 8.
It was a match where the referee’s took centre stage early, with a stack of penalties and sin binnings to the Storms Steve Turner for repeated infringements and then shortly after, the Roosters lost Willie Mason for a similar offence – just too much sloppy stuff around the ruck.
When the dust had settled, it came down to what the teams did with the football. The Roosters had big periods of possession early, the first 15 minutes was all their way. But they couldn’t score enough points.
The Roosters look extremely unstructued for the most part, they will begin to swing the ball wide through the hands, get muddled up, then switch the ball back for an inside run. They did this several times, then tried their luck with kicks – all to no avail.
When the Storm finally got their chance with the ball, while they weren’t perfect, they certainly did more than the Roosters.
Finch gave the Storm greater options either side of the ruck and while he wasn’t heavily involved, his kicking when required was highly impressive. Earning his side repeat sets several times.
Storm forward Adam Blair was a stand-out, generating good metres and more importantly plenty of second phase offloads for his side.
Hooker Cam Smith seemed to have a minor hang-over from Friday’s test match and is yet to reach peak form in 2009, the same can be said for Greg Inglis.
Cooper Cronk was impressive for his side and gave good direction when required.
For the Roosters, their was patches of effort and a big showing from rookie Jordan Tansey, the new fullback was solid under the high ball and injected himself nicely and confidently into the attack.
Tansey might be the only shining light for the Roosters, O’Meley remains on the outer despite form and while Sam Peret has been good at the back too – the engine room has it’s problems with Fitzgibbon, Mason and Myles slightly short of their best.
Roosters remain at home to the Knights next week and that will no doubt be a big test and the Storm will fancy their chances, hosting the Storm in Melbourne.