Official Match Thread - Grand Final Edition - Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm

[Maxy Walker]

Reports in the news that Cronk didn’t take part in the captains run today. Looks like he is out. Also SOS has been told he won’t be playing according to the Tele.

[Mickie Lane]

[mightyrooster]

Reports in the news that Cronk didn’t take part in the captains run today. Looks like he is out. Also SOS has been told he won’t be playing according to the Tele.

I’m hoping this doesn’t mean Matto at 5/8 as I don’t like him there.

[keggs1]

Butcher and SOS have dropped off the extended bench.

Cant see the boxhead playing, so looks like Matterson will play in the halves unless Cronk performs a miracle.

[Maxy Walker]

Matto in the halves is such a boring option. It’s really just playing an extra forward and one half. It worked ok with Cronk but it remains to be seen how it works with Keary. It sucks that we don’t have an experienced back up half.

[bananabrah]

How is Momirovski still in the squad? What does that mean? He's only useful in the back 5. Too small in the forwards. Which means he's either staying on the bench as a backup winger like last year's prelim (hopefully unlikely), being bumped off by Lindsay Collins (likely), or one of the current back 5 is going to be utilised in the halves (Tedesco, or Latrell) which I hope to hell doesn't happen.

I don't understand why we'd drop SOS off the bench and leave Momirovski in the squad when he really offers no value...

[melon....]

Don't write off cronk

[Maxy Walker]

Momirovsky starting at 6 is another theory that’s been mentioned.

[Easts75]

If Cronk doesn't play i'd bet good money Matto will be 6. I like that option the best ......but i think Cronk will play

[bondi.boy]

If Cronk plays, the Storm assistant coach said on tv tonite that Storm players will be going after him.
"We're all friends"...LOL not from what's been well documented in the media...that Cooper has been frozen out by Smith etc.

'Chicken wings' anyone?
If Storm players go after Cronk late, late and high, flop all over him 4 at a time etc...our players should get into them...'bash and smash them off him'...legally of course.

[Thirteen]

I refuse to believe we are going into this game with a single kicker who is only really a part timer, and no back up option. Not possible. If Cronk is out and Keary goes down we have no kickers. Cronk is playing.

[Lydon]

I refuse to believe we are going into this game with a single kicker who is only really a part timer, and no back up option. Not possible. If Cronk it out and Keary goes down we have no kickers. Cronk is playing.

I agree mate,no way we go into the game with one kicker..

[eddie]

I’m hoping this doesn’t mean Matto at 5/8 as I don’t like him there.

Scares me a bit.

[stsae]

Would they consider playing Cronkite off the bench?

They have done just that with a half a few times this season so the players will have prepared for such a scenario.

And on many occasions this squad has used only 3 bench players.

And we rarely use our allocated changes in a game.

He only comes on if we are well up or if we need a Field Goal.

Robbo is ballsy enough to pull such a move IMO.

[Louis N]

How is Momirovski still in the squad? What does that mean? He's only useful in the back 5. Too small in the forwards. Which means he's either staying on the bench as a backup winger like last year's prelim (hopefully unlikely), being bumped off by Lindsay Collins (likely), or one of the current back 5 is going to be utilised in the halves (Tedesco, or Latrell) which I hope to hell doesn't happen.

I don't understand why we'd drop SOS off the bench and leave Momirovski in the squad when he really offers no value...

Momirovski played five eighth in the U-20's which he also captained. That's why he's still there. Hasn't let anyone down yet either.

I don't think Matterson will either, whatever position he takes. My feel is that he'll be at his best for the big one and play a major role.