Final Four: Melbourne Storm

After a form slump which saw them lose four-straight games for the first time since 2015, the Storm finally had some joy in round 20 against the Warriors, but now face a difficult final stretch. 

Their backline crisis has been helped by the signing of David Nofoaluma on loan for the rest of the season, but there is no avoiding the fact that Melbourne are a far less potent team without Ryan Papenhuyzen at the back.

But as bad as it seemed for them over the past month and a bit, the Storm are back in the top four now and sit two wins clear of the bottom of the eight.

Have a go at the NRL’s ladder predictor tool and see where you have Melbourne finishing.

The final four games

• Round 22 v Panthers (A)
• Round 23 v Broncos (A)
• Round 24 v Roosters (H)
• Round 25 v Eels (A)

If they go on to make the finals the Storm will be battle-hardened, with all of their remaining matches being against sides currently in the top eight, including facing ladder-leading Penrith and top-four contenders Brisbane in consecutive weeks.

Home, sweet home

The Storm have dropped just two games at AAMI Park this year, with their other ‘home’ defeat coming at Suncorp Stadium in Magic Round.

Based on the current ladder position of their remaining opponents, Melbourne's toughest games are all on the road, but their remaining fixture at AAMI Park is far from easy with a fired-up Roosters set to visit in Round 24.

On the road

Tough away trips to face defending premiers Penrith at BlueBet Stadium — where they have lost just once all year — and the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, await before finishing up with a trip to CommBank Stadium to play the Eels. The Storm have won five of nine away games in 2022 and prior to beating the Warriors in round 20 hadn’t won outside of Victoria since the second week of June.

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