Storm v Eels: Hail the Round 1 kings; Moses-Pezet join forces
The Storm will be out to continue a remarkable record that has seen them go 23 years without losing in Round 1.
Incredibly, Craig Bellamy has never tasted defeat in the opening round of the season and his players take great pride in keeping the streak going.
They confront an Eels side that enters 2026 with high expectations of a return to the top eight after a disappointing 11th last season - their third successive year on the finals outer.
If the Eels are to return to the finals and contend for a first premiership since 1986 they will need gun playmaker Mitch Moses and his new offsider Jonah Pezet to stand tall and lead the way.
In Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster they confront a superstar combination capable of tearing any opponent to shreds on their day and hell bent on going one better than last year's grand final loss to the Broncos, who they meet in Round 3.
Match: Storm v Eels
Round 1 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Eels
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Team News
Storm: Excitement machine Sua Fa'alogo is the new No.1 with Ryan Papenhuyzen having departed the club while Moses Leo gets his shot in the centres and Nick Meaney pushes out to the wing with Jack Howarth (groin) and Xavier Coates (achilles) both sidelined. A new-look back row with Joe Chan, Ativalu Lisati and Alec MacDonald replacing grand final trio Eli Katoa, Shawn Blore (ankle) and Trent Loiero (suspended). Rising stars Cooper Clarke and Preston Conn have been named on the bench for their NRL debuts. Lazarus Vaalepu and Angus Hinchey dropped out when the squad was trimmed 24 hours before kick-off.
Eels: Mitch Moses joins forces with former Storm man Jonah Pezet in the halves while Jack de Belin and Brian Kelly also make their debut in Eels colours. The loss of Josh Addo-Carr (thumb) sees Sean Russell shift to the wing and Kelly line up at centre. Junior Paulo leads a full-strength forward pack that will look to pick up where it left off in an impressive pre-season win over the Roosters two weeks ago. Kelma Tuilagi and Joash Papalii are the No.18 and 19 on the six-man bench. The squad was cut to 20 on Wednesday with Charlie Guymer and Teancum Brown dropping out.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi FaalogoFullback for Eels is number 1 Isaiah Iongi
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will WarbrickWinger for Eels is number 2 Bailey Simonsson
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack HowarthCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
-
Centre for Storm is number 4 Moses LeoCentre for Eels is number 4 Brian Kelly
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Nick MeaneyWinger for Eels is number 5 Sean Russell
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Jonah Pezet
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Eels is number 8 J'maine Hopgood
-
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley Smith
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Joe Chan2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Jack Williams
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Ativalu Lisati2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Alec MacDonaldLock for Eels is number 13 Jack De Belin
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran WishartInterchange for Eels is number 14 Dylan Walker
-
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Cooper ClarkeInterchange for Eels is number 16 Matt Doorey
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tui KamikamicaInterchange for Eels is number 17 Tallyn Da Silva
-
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Davvy MoaleInterchange for Eels is number 19 Joash Papalii
Reserves
-
Replacement for Storm is number 18 Preston Conn
-
Reserve for Storm is number 19 Siulagi Tuimalatu-BrownReserve for Eels is number 15 Sam Tuivaiti
-
Reserve for Eels is number 18 Kelma Tuilagi
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm are aiming for their 23rd consecutive Round 1 victory.
- Storm hooker Harry Grant has scored eight tries in his last seven games against the Eels.
- The Eels have won only one of their last five games at AAMI Park.
- The Storm have won their last five games against the Eels.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
