Storm v Eels: Coates ready to wing it; Matterson late out
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy is seeking an immediate response from his team when they travel to Brisbane for a Magic Round date with the Eels.
The Storm fell to the Sharks in a top-of-the-table clash last Saturday night but they have enjoyed plenty of success at Suncorp Stadium over the years.
Melbourne have won 70 per cent of their games at the venue, however suffered a 28-12 loss to the Rabbitohs during last season's Magic Round.
Bellamy has Xavier Coates back from a hamstring injury but halfback Jahrome Hughes (calf) will likely need one more week before he is cleared to return.
The Eels have struggled without their star No.7 Mitch Moses, who hasn't played since Round 3 due to a foot injury.
Bryce Cartwright (ribs) is back on deck in a boost for the blue and golds.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Storm v Eels
Team News
Storm: Changes on game day with Tui Kamikamica moving into the starting side at lock and Trent Loiero going to the bench, while Grant Anderson has been added to the bench in jersey No.18. Xavier Coates is back on deck after a hamstring injury but Jahrome Hughes (calf) remains another week away. Jack Howarth dropped out on game day and Bronson Garlick is 18th man.
Eels: Joe Ofahenague and Bryce Cartwright have moved into the starting side an hour before kick-off with Junior Paulo moving to the bench and Ryan Matterson ruled out due to illness. Luca Moretti joins the bench. After splitting time with Brendan Hands last week at hooker, Joey Lussick is set for big minutes with no utility named on the bench.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi FaalogoFullback for Eels is number 1 Blaize Talagi
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Winger for Storm is number 2 Will WarbrickWinger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
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Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis SmithCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
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Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick MeaneyCentre for Eels is number 4 Sean Russell
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Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Eels is number 5 Bailey Simonsson
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Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Daejarn Asi
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Halfback for Storm is number 7 Tyran WishartHalfback for Eels is number 7 Dylan Brown
Forwards
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Prop for Storm is number 8 Christian WelchProp for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
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Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Eels is number 9 Joey Lussick
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Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Eels is number 16 Joe Ofahengaue
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2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
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2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa2nd Row for Eels is number 14 Bryce Cartwright
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Lock for Storm is number 15 Tui KamikamicaLock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood
Interchange
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Interchange for Storm is number 13 Trent LoieroInterchange for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
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Interchange for Storm is number 16 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaInterchange for Eels is number 15 Makahesi Makatoa
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Interchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Eels is number 17 Kelma Tuilagi
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Interchange for Storm is number 18 Grant AndersonInterchange for Eels is number 22 Luca Moretti
Reserves
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Replacement for Storm is number 20 Bronson GarlickReplacement for Eels is number 18 Brendan Hands
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm are the highest scoring team at Magic Round (126 points in four games).
- The Eels have won only one of their four Magic Round games.
- Storm hooker Harry Grant has scored a try in his last three games against the Eels.
- Eels winger Maika Sivo has scored five tries in three Magic Round games.
- Storm centre Reimis Smith has scored a try in his last three games at Suncorp Stadium.
Match: Storm v Eels
Round 11 -
home Team
Storm
2nd Position
away Team
Eels
14th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
