Melbourne shaping as zero heroes in NRL

Melbourne have a chance to become just the sixth team in NRL history to keep their opponents scoreless on four or more occasions.

Melbourne can join a small group of teams in NRL history by securing a clean sheet against battlers Newcastle on Sunday.

If the Storm keep the bottom-placed Knights scoreless at Hunter Stadium, they will become just the sixth team to hold their opponents to zero on four occasions or more in a season, according to Fox Sports Stats.

Of the five teams to achieve the feat, three - Sydney Roosters (2013), Parramatta Eels (1982) and Balmain Tigers (1917) - have gone on to win the premiership.

Bellamy said he was pleased with his side's 5-1 record during State of Origin period this year, something they have struggled with in previous seasons.

"Our record was poor last year. I think we won one out of six but I think we lost one by two and another one by four," Bellamy said.

"So it probably wasn't quite as bad as the record looked.

"We make a real emphasis during Origin for the other players to stand up with our key position players gone, to stand up and take a bit of responsibility to get it done.

"We've adapted to that mentality better than last year."

Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk emerged after Origin unscathed and are set to back up on Sunday while Cameron Munster is expected to return after a three-game lay-off because of an ankle injury.

Tohu Harris is also a likely starter despite a rib problem.

The Storm must overcome a recent poor record against the Knights, having lost two of their last three meetings and being pushed all the way in their most recent clash in round five.

The Knights will be bolstered by the return of playmaker Jarrod Mullen after missing most of the season with a hamstring injury.

STATS THAT MATTER

* It will be Newcastle's 700th match in the competition. They have won 341 of their 699 matches

* If the Knights concede three tries or more, they will be the fourth team in the NRL era to concede 100 tries or more in the opening 17 matches of a season

* The Knights have lost 10 straight and are closing in on their club record of 13 straight.


Share
3 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world