Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
After shutting down James Tedesco, Melbourne now face the task of containing another State of Origin fullback, Kalyn Ponga, to keep alive their remarkable record against Newcastle.
The Storm didn’t give NSW custodian Tedesco an inch to move as they banked an 18-4 win over the Sydney Roosters last round, and confront a similar challenge against the Maroons’ No.1 at AAMI Park on Friday night.
They have a long-standing dominance over the Knights in Melbourne, unbeaten since 2015, and have won 13 of their last 15 clashes.
But with Newcastle sitting fourth on the ladder and on a four-game win streak, Storm coach Craig Bellamy is aware this match presents a strong chance for the visitors to bust the hoodoo.
Bellamy told AAP Ponga and Dylan Brown were at the forefront of their surging form.
“I always think that the Knights are fairly consistent with their performances and their teams and this year they’re right up there, in the top four, so they’re obviously doing a lot of things well,” he said.
“We’re going to have to play really well and stick to what our plan is and do it well, if we’re any chance.
“It’s a little bit similar to last week with Kalyn, last week it was Teddy (Tedesco) – two of the best fullbacks in the game at the moment, they’re the Origin fullbacks.
“Dylan Brown has been a good player for a long time now, very experienced and still physically really good, and they’re a couple of guys they really rely on and hopefully we can do a good job defensively on them.”
Skipper Harry Grant trained solo, away from the main squad, but wasn’t believed to be in danger of missing the match.
The Queensland hooker came off the bench against the Roosters and Melbourne could use him in the same role against Newcastle, as a way to reduce his heavy workload with the second Origin match looming at the MCG on Wednesday June 17.
The Knights have been forced into a change with No.6 Sandon Smith sidelined by a calf injury.
Fletcher Sharpe has shifted to take over that jumper, with Fletcher Hunt promoted from the bench into the centres.
Newcastle coach Justin Holbrook, who took over this year, felt confident about their trip south.
“They’re unusually lower than they’re expected to sit on the table, but they’ve got world class players in their side so we know how big a challenge it is, but we’re definitely confident going down there,” he said.
“It’s a hard place to play for any opposition … we’re playing well and want to keep it that way.”
