NRL, ROUND 21, JULY 22nd, 2023 NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v MELBOURNE STORM
MCDONALD JONES STADIUM,NEWCASTLE
As the NRL Round 21 action unfolds, all eyes will be on McDonald Jones Stadium as the Knights gear up to take on the formidable Storm. The Knights have been on a scoring spree, piling on an impressive century of points in their last two matches. The duo of Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best has been a force to be reckoned with, wreaking havoc out wide. Alongside a robust and determined forward pack, the Knights have made significant strides, climbing from 14th to 10th place over the past month. With the home crowd rallying behind them, the Knights will undoubtedly fancy their chances of pulling off an upset against the Storm.
On the other hand, the Storm find themselves in familiar territory, firmly seated inside the top four, thanks to a dominant victory over the Roosters. Their Origin stars, Harry Grant and Cameron Munster, showcased their class and determination, leading Craig Bellamy’s side to their 11th win of the season. As they navigate through a challenging run home, including clashes against the Eels, Panthers, Raiders, and Broncos, the Storm understand the importance of securing victories against formidable opponents like the Knights and Dragons.
For the Knights, containing the likes of Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes will be a challenging task. While Dane Gagai returns from injury, his presence alone might not be enough to rattle the well-oiled Storm. However, the match promises an intriguing battle between Xavier Coates and Dominic Young when they find open space.
After bouncing back from a loss to the Panthers, the Storm showcased their dominance against the Roosters, especially in the second half. Xavier Coates continued his try-scoring spree, recording yet another hat-trick against the Roosters. The Melbourne forwards, once they get over the top of their opponents, present a formidable challenge to any top eight side.
To secure a victory against the Storm, the Knights must ensure their forward pack lays a solid platform for the likes of Hughes and Munster to work their magic. Although the Knights boast some impressive forwards, the question remains whether they can match the Storm’s intensity.
The history between the two teams reveals the Storm’s dominance, with a combined score of 98-6 in their last two encounters against Newcastle. However, the Knights are no pushovers, having won five of their last seven games at McDonald Jones Stadium. Knights winger Dominic Young, with an impressive 16 tries in his past 13 games, remains a potent attacking threat.
With the finals on the horizon, both teams are hungry for victory. The Knights seek to continue their upward trajectory, while the Storm aim for a double chance in the finals, improving on last year’s fifth-place finish. As the stakes rise, this close encounter between the Knights and the Storm promises to be an enthralling contest for NRL fans.
NEWCASTLE. 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott 14. Kurt Mann 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Enari Tuala 20. Brodie Jones 21. Hymel Hunt 22. Adam Clune
STORM. 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 13. Josh King 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Tom Eisenhuth 16. Tariq Sims 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Bronson Garlick 19. Chris Lewis 20. Jayden Nikorima 21. Marion Seve 22. George Jennings
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Senior Review Official: Ben Cummins
PREDICTION
I will take the Storm here who will be hard to stop from now on as they head to the finals. Storm 13 plus @ $ 2.20
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