NRL Ryan Hoffman MRI scan resultsMelbourne Storm backrower Ryan Hoffman had an MRI scan this morning on the ankle he re-injured during yesterday’s loss to the New Zealand Warriors.
It was Hoffman’s second game back from the original ankle injury he sustained against the Sydney Roosters in Round 23.
The scan revealed Hoffman has extended his high ankle injury slightly, however he hasn’t been ruled out of this Saturday night’s semi-final against the Brisbane Broncos.
“Ryan’s injury is still at the lower end of ankle strains, however he is experiencing slight pain and swelling which is to be expected,” said high performance unit manager Mary Toomey.
“We’ll do everything we can to get him right for Brisbane, however if he isn’t ready for this Saturday he’s likely to be fit for the preliminary final should we make it.” |
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______________________________
Chris Couch Media Manager
Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club | ||
Friday, September 19, 2008
NRL Ryan Hoffman
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Storm players signed
NRL Storm secure EIGHT signatures for 2009
Melbourne Storm has this week secured the signatures of EIGHT players as it looks to build its playing stocks for the 2009 season and beyond.
The new signings compliment the acquisition of Canberra hooker Ryan Hinchcliffe earlier this year, and the re-signings of Dallas Johnson, Adam Blair, Cooper Cronk, Jeff Lima, Sika Manu, Anthony Quinn, Greg Inglis and Aiden Tolman.
As has been reported, backrower Matt Cross has joined from the Gold Coast Titans on a one-year deal, while four other new players will join the club.
Storm football operations manager Frank Ponissi believes Cross can have an immediate impact in 2009.
“The Storm has proven in the past that not only young players get improved within our system, but the culture here as has a history of rejuvenating players mid-career as well,” said Ponissi.
Backrower Louis Fanene has been elevated from the under-20’s squad, while Clifford Manua and promising front-rower Sinbad Kali have signed new one-year deals, rounding out a busy week at the club.
Apart from Cross, the four new faces at the Storm next year include Penrith centre William Isa, former Bulldogs five-eighth Arana Taumata, Souths centre Andre Itula, and James Maloney who captains Wentworthville in the New South Wales VB Cup.
While the salary cap is having its effect on the Storm squad, Ponissi believes the players signed this week will form the basis of a successful team long term.
“There’s no doubt the salary cap is biting us hard,” said Ponissi.
“Over the past couple of seasons we lost a lot of experienced players because of the salary cap, but that’s the reason why it’s there and we’re in the middle of it at the moment. Success is starting to take its toll.
“This year we’ve re-signed the core of our team for the next few years, but the reality is our depth is going to be tested.”
Melbourne Storm recruitment manager Darren Bell believes the new signings will inject an even greater level of enthusiasm when the squad reassembles for pre-season training in November.
“With these signings today, we’ve brought in the next generation of Storm players who we believe can bring us future success,” said Bell.
“We’re confident, while most of these names are low profile now, once they’re within the Storm environment and playing alongside the likes of Cam Smith, Greg Inglis, Billy Slater and the like, their development will be fast-tracked and be future Storm first-grade players.”
Player signings:
| NAME | AGE | CONTRACT LENGTH | POSITION | FORMER CLUBS |
| William Isa | 19 | 2 years | Centre | Panthers |
| Matt Cross | 27 | 1 year | Backrow/Front-row | Titans / Panthers |
| Arana Taumata | 19 | 1 year | Halfback / Five-eighth | Bulldogs |
| Andre Itula | 20 | 1 year | Centre / Wing | Rabbitohs |
| James Maloney | 22 | 2 years | Halfback | Wentworthville |
| Louis Fanene | 20 | 2 years | Backrow | Storm under-20’s |
| Sinbad Kali | 21 | 1 year | Front-row | Storm |
| Clifford Manua | 27 | 1 year | Front-row | Broncos / Sharks / Storm |
______________________________
Chris Couch
Media Manager
Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Greg Inglis Storm Signing
[10 SEPTEMBER, 2008]
NRL News Flash: Storms Greg Inglis to announce playing future today
Melbourne Storm will today announce the playing future of star five-eighth Greg Inglis at a press conference to be held at their administration facilities at MC Labour Park at 3.00pm.
Also in attendance will be head coach Craig Bellamy and CEO Brian Waldron.
WHAT: Greg Inglis playing future announcement
WHEN: Today (Wednesday, September 10th) at 3.00pm
WHERE: MC Labour Park, Gate 3, Royal Parade, Carlton North (above the administration area)
WHO: Greg Inglis, Craig Bellamy and Brian Waldron
______________________________
Chris Couch
Media Manager
Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Storm Squads NRL Round 26
NRL Melbourne Storm team and squad lineups for Round 26 of the 2008 NRL Rugby League season; more details and player info below direct from the media / press of the Melbourne Storm club.
First-grade and under-20 teams
The game will be played at Olympic Park in Melbourne from 7.00pm.
Ryan Hoffman has returned from an ankle injury to start in the backrow, with Jeremy Smith taking his place on the interchange bench.
Aiden Tolman and Scott Anderson have been omitted from last week’s 18-man squad.
NRL squad for Sunday’s game:
Starting team:
1. Billy Slater
2. Steve Turner
3. Matt Geyer
4. Israel Folau
5. Anthony Quinn
6. Greg Inglis
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Jeff Lima
9. Cam Smith ©
10. Brett White
11. Michael Crocker
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Dallas Johnson
Interchange:
14. Jeremy Smith, 15. Adam Blair, 16. Sika Manu, 17. Antonio Kaufusi.
Coach: Craig Bellamy.
Under-20’s squad for Sunday’s game:
Starting team:
1. Gareth Widdop
2. Josh Jerome
3. Sam Joe
4. Joseph Tomane
5. Michael Faamausili
6. Luke Kelly ©
7. Liam Foran
8. Matt Croker
9. Jay Aston
10. Louise Fanene
11. Kevin Proctor
12. Zeb Tawha
13. Vili Fainga’a
Interchange:
14. Mack Fawcett, 15. Pulou Vaituutuu, 16. Will Naitoro, 17. Theo Stuart.
Coach: Brad Arthur
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Rugby League Players
Listings of Melbourne Storm Rugby League players for NRL Round 25 all grades:
[26 AUGUST, 2008]
NRL News and under-20’s teams
The game will be played at EnergyAustralia Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday from 5.30pm.
Aiden Tolman has been brought into the squad on the interchange bench, with Scott Anderson made 18th man.
NRL squad for Saturday’s game:
Starting team:
1. Billy Slater
2. Steve Turner
3. Matt Geyer
4. Israel Folau
5. Anthony Quinn
6. Greg Inglis
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Jeff Lima
9. Cam Smith ©
10. Brett White
11. Michael Crocker
12. Jeremy Smith
13. Dallas Johnson
Interchange:
14. Aiden Tolman, 15. Adam Blair, 16. Sika Manu, 17. Antonio Kaufusi, 18. Scott Anderson.
Coach: Craig Bellamy.
Under-20’s squad for Saturday’s game:
Starting team:
1. Gareth Widdop
2. Michael Faamausili
3. Sam Joe
4. Joseph Tomane
5. Josh Jerome
6. Luke Kelly ©
7. Liam Foran
8. Louis Fanene
9. Jay Aston
10. Matt Croker
11. Aidan Guerra
12. Zeb Tawha
13. Will Naitoro
Interchange:
14. James Woolford, 15. Pulou Vaituutuu, 16. Vili Faingaa, 17. Mack Fawcett.
Coach: Brad Arthur
______________________________
Chris Couch
Media Manager
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Craig Bellamy NRL
Bellamy available for comment today
NRL Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy will be available for comment today prior to the commencement of their training session at Xavier College.
The training session will commence at 1.30pm at the Barkers Road campus, with Bellamy available at 1.15pm.
The Storm take on the Penrith Panthers this Monday night in Sydney before heading to the Central Coast for a four-day camp leading into the following Saturday night’s game against Newcastle in Newcastle.
Wins in both of those games would give the Storm a stranglehold on their third straight minor premiership, a feat never before achieved in the NRL.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Storm Roosters NRL
[14 AUGUST, 2008]
Round 23 v Roosters Game Notes
WHO: Melbourne Storm v Sydney Roosters
WHAT: Round 23 of the 2008 Telstra Premiership season
WHERE: Olympic Park, Melbourne
WHEN: Friday, August 15th @ 7.35pm
ON TV: Channel Nine (Melbourne) 11.50pm, Fox Sports 2 11.30pm
CHECK IT OUT: Melbourne Storm’s website with all the latest stats, profiles, updates, schedule and training times, alerts, news etc…. www.melbournestorm.com.au
IN BRIEF
Melbourne won a classic top-of-the-table clash against Manly last Friday night, prevailing 16-10 at Brookvale Oval. It was the first time Melbourne had won at Manly’s home ground since 1999.
The win sent them equal on points with Manly at the head of the NRL table.
Sydney suffered a 28-24 loss to the Eels last Sunday, their third loss in five games, to slide down to fourth on the NRL ladder, two points off the pace.
FAST FACTS
• Melbourne has lost only two games at Olympic Park in the past three years
• Sydney has won their past two games against Melbourne
• Melbourne has won 54 of their past 55 games when leading at half-time
DID YOU KNOW?
The players’ annual comedy day will take place on Sunday, August 17th at the Comics Lounge in Errol Street, North Melbourne. Starting at 3.00pm and going on well into the night, the event will feature 10 of Melbourne’s best comedians, and will be hosted by Storm Ambassador and comedian Marty Fields.
Tickets are $30 each and are available before the day at the Melbourne Storm (03 8412 4900) or at the Comics Lounge (03 9348 9488), or on the door on the day (although these tickets will be limited).
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Total: Played: 17, Storm: 8, Sydney: 9
At Olympic Park: Played: 9, Storm: 6, Sydney: 3
FOR AND AGAINST 2008
Points for: Storm: 456, Sydney: 473
Points against: Storm: 249, Sydney: 376
Tries for: Storm: 82, Sydney: 84
Points differential: Storm: +207, Sydney: +97
LAST ROUND MATCHES
Storm def. Sea Eagles 16-10 @ Brookvale Oval, Sydney
Roosters def. by Eels 28-24 @ Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
LAST EIGHT CLASHES
| YEAR | RESULT | VENUE |
| 2008 | Roosters def. Storm 16-10 @ | Sydney Football Stadium |
| 2007 | Roosters def Storm 26-16 @ | Sydney Football Stadium |
| 2007 | Storm def. Roosters 26-2 @ | Olympic Park |
| 2006 | Storm def. Roosters 20-16 @ | Olympic Park |
| 2006 | Storm def. Roosters 22-18 @ | Sydney Football Stadium |
| 2005 | Storm def. Roosters 24-10 @ | Olympic Park |
| 2004 | Storm def. Roosters 26-10 @ | Olympic Park |
| 2003 | Storm def. Roosters 27-20 @ | Olympic Park |
THE STORM STORY SO FAR
WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE: STORM 4 (Try: Hoffman) def. by RHINOS 11 (Try: Donald; Goals: Sinfield 3; Field Goal: Sinfield) at Elland Road, Leeds
ROUND 1: STORM 32 (Tries: Slater 3, Johnson, Tagataese; Goals: C. Smith 5, Turner) def. WARRIORS 18 (Tries: Vatuvei 2, Ropati; Goals: Witt 3) at Telstra Dome, Melbourne
ROUND 2: STORM 16 (Tries: Aitken, White, Falou; Goals: C. Smith 2) def. by SHARKS 17 (Tries: Kearney, Gallen, Simmons; Goals: Covell 2; Field Goals: Kimmorley) at Olympic Park, Melbourne
ROUND 3: Storm (Try: Slater; Goal: C. Smith) def. by ROOSTERS (Try: Kenny-Dowell; Goals: FitzGibbon 3) at Sydney Football Stadium
ROUND 4: STORM 28 (Tries: Quinn 3, Folau, Hoffman; Goals: Smith 4) def. BRONCOS 8 (Tries: Robinson, Stagg) at Olympic Park, Melbourne
ROUND 5: STORM 26 (Tries: Slater 2, Inglis, Quinn, Hoffman; Goals: Smith 3) def. SEA EAGLES 4 (Try: Barney) at Olympic Park
ROUND 6: STORM 23 (Tries: Chambers, Turner, Slater, Folau; Goals: C. Smith 3; Field Goal: Cronk) def. RAIDERS 16 (Tries: Best, Plum, Purtell; Goals: Carney 2) at Canberra Stadium
ROUND 7: STORM 12 (Tries: Inglis, Folau; Goals: C. Smith 2) def. COWBOYS 10 (Tries: Williams 2; Goals: Thurston) at Dairy Farmer’s Stadium
ROUND 8: BYE
ROUND 9: STORM 18 (Tries: Folau 2, Quinn; Goals: C. Smith 3) def. KNIGHTS 4 (Try: Mullen) at Olympic Park, Melbourne
ROUND 10: STORM 12 (Tries: Chambers, Manu; Goals: Smith, Turner) def. by DRAGONS 36 (Tries: Nightingale 2, B. Morris, J Morris, Lett, Soward; Goals: Soward 6) at ANZ Stadium
ROUND 11: STORM 15 (Tries: Chambers, J. Smith; Goals: C. Smith 2, Field Goals: Cronk) def. RABBITOHS 12 (Tries: Vagana 2; Goals: Luke) at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
ROUND 12: STORM 46 (Tries: Geyer 2, C. Smith, Folau, Turner, J. Smith, Crocker, Cronk; Goals: C. Smith 7) def. BULLDOGS 0 at Olympic Park
ROUND 13: STORM 0 def. by TITANS 18 (Tries: Delaney, Meyers, Jeffrey; Goals: Rogers 3) at Skilled Park
ROUND 14: BYE
ROUND 15: STORM 48 (Tries: Inglis 3, Turner 2, J Smith, Slater, Geyer, Folau; Goals: C Smith 6) def. COWBOYS 20 (Tries: Henry, Williams, Webb, Cashmere; Goals: Thurston 2) at Olympic Park
ROUND 16: STORM 22 (Tries: Manu 2, Tomane, Cronk; Goals: Turner 2, Cronk) def. by EELS 24 (Tries: Tautai, Williams, Reddy, Inu; Goals: Burt 4) at Parramatta Stadium
ROUND 17: STORM 30 (Tries: Inglis 2, Slater, Manu, Quinn, Turner; Goals: Smith 3) def. RAIDERS 14 (Tries: Monaghan, Carney, Chalk; Goals: Carney) at Olympic Park
ROUND 18: STORM 30 (Tries: Inglis 3, Slater, Manu; Goals: C. Smith 5) def. TIGERS 18 (Tries: Tuiaki, Hodgson, Ryan; Goals: Hodgson 3) at Campbelltown Sports Stadium
ROUND 19: STORM 26 (Tries: J Smith, Lima, Geyer, Turner, Folau; Goals: C Smith 3) def. DRAGONS 0 at Olympic Park
ROUND 20: STORM 6 (Try: Manu; Goal: C Smith) def. by WARRIORS 8 (Try: Fai; Goals: Hohaia 2) at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
ROUND 21: STORM 44 (Tries: Folau 2, Inglis 2, Turner, Quinn, Hoffman, Geyer, J Smith; Goals: Cam Smith 4) def. TITANS 4 (Try: Ropana) at Olympic Park
ROUND 22: STORM 16 (Tries: Geyer, Folau, Cronk; Goals: C Smith 2) def. SEA EAGLES 10 (Tries: Hall, Williams; Goals: Matai) at Brookvale Oval
2008 TRY SCORERS (STORM)
Inglis 12, Folau 12, Slater 10, Turner 7, Quinn 7, Manu 6, Geyer 6, J. Smith 5, Chambers 3, Hoffman 3, Cronk 3, Johnson, Tagataese, Aitken, White, C. Smith, Crocker, Tomane, Lima
2008 GOAL SCORERS (STORM)
C. Smith 57, Turner 4, J. Smith, Cronk
2008 FIELD GOAL SCORERS (STORM)
Cronk 2
2008 POINTSCORERS (STORM)
C Smith 118, Inglis 48, Folau 48, Slater 40, Quinn 28, Turner 28, Manu 24, Geyer 24, J. Smith 22, Cronk 16, Chambers 12, Hoffman 12, Johnson 4, Tagataese 4, Aitken 4, White 4, Crocker 4, Tomane 4, Lima 4
MELBOURNE STORM MEDIBANK PRIVATE INJURY UPDATE
Danny Vaughan (knee): season
Ben MacDougall (knee): season
Dane Nielsen (shoulder): season
Will Chambers (knee): season
THE STORM AHEAD
Round 24: Monday, August 25th v Panthers @ CUA Stadium, 7.00pm
Round 25: Saturday, August 30th v Knights @ EnergyAustralia Stadium, 5.30pm
Round 26: Sunday, September 8th v Rabbitohs @ Olympic Park, 7.00pm
TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP LADDER
| POSITION | CLUB | POINTS |
| 1 | Sea Eagles | 32 |
| 2 | Storm | 32 |
| 3 | Sharks | 32 |
| 4 | Roosters | 30 |
| 5 | Broncos | 27 |
| 6 | Raiders | 24 |
| 7 | Dragons | 24 |
| 8 | Knights | 24 |
| 9 | Wests Tigers | 24 |
| 10 | Warriors | 24 |
| 11 | Panthers | 23 |
| 12 | Eels | 22 |
| 13 | Titans | 22 |
| 14 | Rabbitohs | 18 |
| 15 | Bulldogs | 14 |
| 16 | Cowboys | 12 |
SQUAD FOR FRIDAY'S GAME
Starting team:
1. Billy Slater
2. Steve Turner
3. Matt Geyer
4. Israel Folau
5. Anthony Quinn
6. Greg Inglis
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Jeff Lima
9. Cam Smith
10. Brett White
11. Michael Crocker
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Dallas Johnson
Interchange:
14. Jeremy Smith, 15. Adam Blair, 16. Sika Manu, 17. Antonio Kaufusi.
Coach: Craig Bellamy.
______________________________
Chris Couch
Media Manager
Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club
Princes Park, Gate 3, Royal Parade, Carlton North VIC 3054
PO Box 141 Parkville VIC 3052
E-mail: ccouch@melbournestorm.com.au
Website: www.melbournestorm.com.au
