Storm rips through depleted Suburbs

EDMONTON Storm have reclaimed the Ryan Deemal Memorial Shield with a 36-10 victory over derby opponents Southern Suburbs.

In front of a healthy Alley Park crowd on Saturday night, the Storm forwards rose to the occasion and dominated the middle third of the field to bring up back-to-back wins for the first time in 2019.

Storm coach Anthony Satrick said his core forwards stood up to the challenge and executed their game plan with authority.

“I think the forwards were the difference between the two sides,” he said. “I demanded that the boys roll their sleeves up and build pressure through the middle.”

It was a tight contest until the Storm took the upperhand early in the second half, when Suburbs centre Steven Tatipata lost his cool.

The Northern Pride player was sent to the sin bin but, after following it up with a bit of back chat, was sent off, leaving Suburbs with 12 men for most of the second half.

“We frustrated them and I think it just got the better of him,” Satrick said.

He said it had been a pleasing year as a coach, particularly seeing the development of the younger players coming through.

“I’ve blooded something like six under-17s this year, who’ve been enormous for us in the backs,” he said.

“Also worth mentioning is a young bloke, Jymaal MellorKing. He’s only probably 60kg wringing wet and usually plays in the middle. I put him out on the edge last night and he played really well on the back of our powerhouse forwards.”

Satrick said it was a great win for the players and, more importantly, for the club. “It means a lot,” he said. “The last time we had won the shield was in 2017 so I asked the boys to bring it back to Petersen Park – and they did.”

While the two southern corridor clubs share one of the Cairns District Rugby League’s most fierce rivalries, the annual Ryan Deemal Memorial Shield is also a celebration of what brings the clubs together.

The shield is named in honour of the deceased son of former Southern Suburbs and Edmonton coach Harry Deemal and has been played for annually since 2009.

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