Max Plath launches into State of Origin Queensland Maroons calculations
His father won four premierships for the Brisbane Broncos but was never able to add a State of Origin cap to his CV. But Max Plath seems destined to rewrite this family history; The versatile Dolphin was central to his side’s 28-10 victory over the Melbourne Storm.
Although Plath came onto the NRL radar as a lock, playing back-row and five-eighth, his switch to hooker in the absence of the injured Jeremy Marshall-King showed just how talented he could be for the Queensland Maroons squad.
The 24-year-old’s fingerprints were on the Dolphins’ flagship products on Friday night and he is increasingly likely to join team-mate Kulikefu Finefeuiaki in the Origin arena, as he crossed with the final try of the night after rushing for more than 200 meters for the fourth time this season.
Along with the unwavering defense that resulted in 44 tackles, Plath played a key role in the Dolphins finally getting on the board late in the first half; After a break he played a wonderful pass for Selwyn Cobbo to score in the shadows of half-time and kicked the ball into the area for winger Jamayne Isaako to take possession of the attacking area.
He made a pointless effort that almost put him past Finefeuiaki in the second term, but despite a sensational try-saving challenge from Storm center Jack Howarth, the Dolphins were quick to attack short side for Isaako to attack.
Plath was at it again soon after, holding his side in scythe attack and leaving the Melbourne defense open to scoring in his first NRL appearance since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament last year, before switching back to center Jack Bostock.
Bostock, who scored twice in the first 10 minutes of his Queensland Cup return last week, had a second soon after as he clung desperately to an attacking bomb to secure victory.
The second-half comeback was in stark contrast to what the Dolphins did in the first half, as mistakes cost them dearly and threatened to gift the beleaguered Storm victory in blistering conditions.
Finefeuiaki, Isaiya Katoa and Tom Gilbert all fumbled the ball inside the Storm’s 20 meters and the latter was also penalized for taking out a defender and denying what appeared to be a clear-cut try.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s possession error was also responsible for Melbourne’s first shot chance; this chance was taken by Tyran Wishart; He reached out to score but then limped off the field with an ankle injury.
But after suffering four successive defeats – the last two being heartbreaking defeats to Penrith (one point) and Warriors (two points) respectively – the Dolphins’ second-half rally could be the injection of confidence they need to secure a first final place.
Storm fall short of win amid Bellamy pain
The six-week defeat ended in a moment of heartbreak for the Storm following the news that coach Craig Bellamy had been diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder.
Bellamy had never endured such a losing streak before; that streak now extends to seven games and includes a four-left lead at halftime. But the strong club’s long-term poor form has turned into a subplot.
The rugby league community has rallied around Bellamy since his health issue emerged and Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater, who is a regular at Storm HQ, has revealed at Nine he is prepared to take on more responsibility to support his former coach if necessary.
“He’s someone you look up to and has led you through the best of times over the last 25 years, and it’s pretty tough knowing that he’s been through a struggle and will continue to do so for a while,” Slater said.
“You do things you care about and Craig Bellamy and the Melbourne Storm are two things I really care about, so if Craig Bellamy asks me for help, he won’t have to ask twice.”
Unfortunately for their coach, Bellamy’s team couldn’t pull it off despite being 10-0 up. They twice squandered attacking chances at the start of the second term; The knockouts, which included 13 errors by Davvy Moale and Cooper Clarke, denied them the opportunity to extend their lead.
Cameron Munster and Harry Grant also asked few questions in attack; this form was threatening to relegate the underwhelming team to their first season out of finals contention since 2010.
Young wizard’s trial of the year contestant
If there’s one thing Melbourne know, it’s how to produce standout full-backs. Slater will be remembered as one of the best to ever grace the NRL and now Sualauvi Fa’alogo is showing signs of one day joining him among the code’s all-time greats.
The 23-year-old Samoan live-on completed an early contender for try of the year, leaving the Dolphins’ defense looking hapless from the moment he latched onto Isaiya Katoa’s clearing kick.
Fa’alogo floated towards right winger Will Warbrick, but with his footwork he got past the defense – including offensive center Herbie Farnworth – into the backfield.
Only Tabuai-Fidow could stop him, but his young opponent showed his smarts when needed. It was nice of him to put on the brakes to stop the Queensland Maroons superstar from scoring.
Fa’alogo looked set to repeat the effort early in the second half, moving further downfield again after preventing Bostock from getting stuck on a bomb, and Tabuai-Fidow was sent to the sin bin after chasing down his opponent and then holding on to him for too long.
While he finished with 176 running meters and six tackles, Melbourne were unable to capitalize.
