Storm v Newcastle
Storm fans will be eager for a rematch with Wayne Bennett's boys, who amazingly dumped the Storm from the 2013 competition. It was an ambush down at AAMI Park when the Knights, widely expected to be bundled out of the 2013 finals series in short order, sprung a surprise on the whole competition and entered the final four. The Knights consistently challenged the defending premiers in 2013, leading for long stretches in both regular season encounters prior to that finals meeting, so it's a clash Melbourne really need to step up for.
Storm v Manly
What more can we say? Storm faithful love nothing more than getting one over on the only other team that has arguably been as dominant as Melbourne over the past six or so seasons. The clubs have traded premierships and grand final appearances, and more than a few flying fists, over recent times. Back to back grand final meetings in 2007-8, 2011's infamous 'Battle of Brookvale', to last season's thrilling and hard fought 90-minute, 10-all draw – if a clash against the Sea Eagles doesn't get purple hearts racing nothing will.
Storm v Warriors
What is it with the Warriors and the Storm? There's something about the Warriors' style that troubles Melbourne but it always makes for a riveting clash. Add to that a strong New Zealand contingent in the Melbourne squad (Tohu Harris, Kevin Proctor, the Bromwich brothers, Matt Duffie...) as well as the now mandatory Anzac Day clash, and this one takes on a distinctly international competitiveness. The last eight meetings are splif four apiece, and the four meetings at AAMI Park are split two apiece. The Storm will need a vocal home crowd to get them over the line in this must-see Anzac Day meeting.
Check back on NRL.com on Wednesday for details of your team's schedule with the release of the 2014 NRL Draw.
