NRL, Match Preview, Parramatta Eels, Melbourne Storm, Team News, Stat Attack

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Thu 2 Mar 2023, 07:02 PM

Heavyweights Parramatta and Melbourne launch the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership season on Thursday night with all eyes on two clubs who many predict could slide this year.

The Eels, coming off grand final defeat to the Panthers in October, looked strong in their Pre-season Challenge win over Newcastle with Josh Hodgson slotting into the dummy half role alongside premier halves Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy faces perhaps his biggest challenge to get his new-look squad back to a premiership threat after a first-week finals exit in 2022.

Bellamy's side has a host of new players while the uncertainty around Ryan Papenhuyzen's return date presents a big hurdle to overcome for at least the first half of the year.

The clashes between both clubs in recent seasons has been fiery with this one to open the year expecting to offer just as much with each team looking to get off to a good start.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Thursday 2 Mar

Full Time

Eels

Storm

Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Highlights Latest

Team news

Eels: The Eels 1-17 with no late changes on game day after Isaac Lumelume came in for Bailey Simonsson (shoulder) on Wednesday. Jake Arthur is 18th man. Waqa Blake (arm), Matt Doorey (ankle) and Bryce Cartwright (jaw) will all play but Shaun Lane (broken jaw), Nathan Brown (hamstring) and Ryan Matterson (suspended) are sidelined. Doorey is part a new-look back row combination that includes former Panther J'maine Hopgood while ex-Raider Josh Hodgson plays his first game NRL game for the club at hooker.

Storm: A late change with Bronson Garlick added to the interchange bench for his NRL debut and Chris Lewis reverting to 18th man. Winger Will Warbrick and second-rower Trent Loiero have been rewarded for strong trial form with starting spots. Tyran Wishart is the bench utility, joined on interchange by late bloomer Jordan Grant, youngster Alec MacDonald and Garlick. Veterans Tariq Sims (calf) and Tepai Moeroa (toe) are both sidelined. Joe Chan, Sualauvi Faalogo and Jonah Pezet came off the extended bench when the squad was trimmed on Thursday.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Thursday 2 Mar

Full Time

Eels

Storm

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo

Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini

Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
Centre for Eels is number 4 Waqa Blake

Centre for Storm is number 4 Young Tonumaipea
Winger for Eels is number 22 Isaac Lumelume

Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown

Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Forwards

Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard

Prop for Storm is number 8 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Josh Hodgson

Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo

Prop for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Bryce Cartwright

2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Trent Loiero
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Matt Doorey

2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood

Lock for Storm is number 13 Josh King

Interchange

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Jirah Momoisea

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Jack Murchie

Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonald
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Wiremu Greig

Interchange for Storm is number 17 Jordan Grant
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi Makatoa

Interchange for Storm is number 19 Bronson Garlick