Storm name squad for Dragons Showdown
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has named a 19-man squad for this Sunday’s Round 21 clash against the
St George Illawarra Dragons.
After last Friday’s clinical 28-12 win over the Cronulla Sharks, the Storm maintained their three point
lead at the top of the 2006 Telstra NRL Premiership ladder.
On the other hand, the Dragons suffered their second straight defeat, going down to the Canberra Raiders
31-12 to sit in fourth position on the ladder.
| Storm Team |
| 1. | Billy Slater |
| 2. | Matt Geyer |
| 3. | Matt King |
| 4. | Jake Webster |
| 5. | Steve Turner |
| 6. | Scott Hill |
| 7. | Cooper Cronk |
| 8. | Antonio Kaufusi |
| 9. | Cameron Smith |
| 10. | Brett White |
| 11. | David Kidwell |
| 12. | Ryan Hoffman |
| 13. | Dallas Johnson |
| Reserve Bench |
| 14. | Michael Crocker |
| 15. | Jeremy Smith |
| 16. | Adam Blair |
| 17. | Nathan Friend |
| 18. | Garret Crossman |
| 19. | Greg Inglis |
| (two to be omitted) |
Bellamy has made one change to the squad announced for last week’s clash against the Sharks.
Greg Inglis makes his long awaited return to the Storm squad having recovered from stress fractures in his
back, and he has been named as 19th man.
Garret Crossman has been named as 18th man.
Meanwhile, The National Rugby League has today rescheduled Melbourne Storm’s Round 22 match from 7:30pm to
5:30pm.
As a result, the Telstra Premiership will have two games, Storm vs Wests Tigers and Warriors vs Sharks
being played at 5:30pm Australian Eastern Standard Time on Saturday Evening August 5.
The decision for the earlier kick off at Olympic Park follows concerns raised over a number of events
clashing in the precinct that evening.
“The Storm were concerned that the timing of the events, one right across the road from Olympic Park, was
going to make it extremely difficult for fans to get into the match,” NRL Chief Operating Officer, Mr Graham
Annesley said today.
“It was in the interests of both Storm fans and Wests Tigers fans that we take the issue seriously, even
though such a move represents significant challenges for the broadcasters and the clubs.
“We certainly thank all concerned for their cooperation and accept that this is not the sort of thing that
can be done in the normal course of events. Indeed these are highly unusual circumstances.”
Fox Sports has agreed that it will show the Storm vs Tigers game as its live 5:30pm match, followed by live
coverage of the 7:30pm Cowboys vs Bulldogs match at Dairy Farmers and then a delayed telecast of the Warriors
versus the Sharks at 9:20pm.
Sky Sports New Zealand will now schedule both the Warriors vs Sharks and Storm vs Tigers matches
simultaneously on separate channels at 7:30pm (NZST).
NRL Premiership - Round 21
St George-Illawarra Dragons vs Melbourne Storm
Oki Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Sunday Afternoon, July 30
Kick-Off: 3:00pm (local time)
Replay on Channel 9 from 4:00pm (NSW/QLD), and Fox Sports from 7:30pm (AEST).
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