Storm v Broncos: Loiero back on deck; Anderson faces former club
Melbourne have their sights on grand final redemption as they prepare to host a desperate Broncos side at AAMI Park on Friday night.
The Storm have used last year's grand final defeat to Brisbane as motivation in an impressive start to the season, claiming big wins over the Eels and Dragons.
Friday's clash provides a new test against a Broncos team still searching for the form that led them to a drought-breaking title in 2025.
After falling to Penrith in Round 1, Michael Maguire's side suffered a shock loss to Parramatta last week and they are eager to avoid an 0-3 start to the year.
Records aside, there are plenty of sensational positional battles dotted around the park. Fullbacks Reece Walsh and Sua Faalogo will go head to head, as will five-eighths Ezra Mam and Cameron Munster.
The battle up front promises to be mouthwatering, with Payne Haas looking to lay the foundation for the Broncos. Back-rowers Ativalu Lisati and Joe Chan have been phenomenal for the Storm this year and they are eager to keep the momentum rolling on Friday night.
Brisbane have already conceded 66 points this year and they will have to tighten up their defence if they are to defeat a side that has scored points at will this season.
Melbourne have scored 98 points in two games courtesy of one of the most scintillating backlines in the competition and the Storm are eager to keep the points flowing this weekend.
Match: Storm v Broncos
Round 3 -
home Team
Storm
1st Position
away Team
Broncos
15th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Storm: Back-rower Trent Loiero has served the two-game ban he received in the 2025 grand final and comes onto the interchange bench in place of Jack Hetherington. Lock Alec MacDonald is part of the extended squad as he looks to return from concussion but Shawn Blore faces more time on the sideline after injuring his ankle in NSW Cup last weekend. Rising star Cooper Clarke retains his place on the bench.
Broncos: With former Storm man Grant Anderson named to make his Broncos debut on the wing, Deine Mariner moves to centre and Gehamat Shibasaki drops to the interchange bench. Skipper Adam Reynolds has been named to play despite suffering a rib injury against the Eels but back-rower Jack Gosiewski (HIA protocols) won't take his place so Xavier Willison starts the game. Cook Islands star Brendan Piakura is listed in No.18 as he looks to return from a knee injury.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi FaalogoFullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece Walsh
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will WarbrickWinger for Broncos is number 2 Josiah Karapani
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack HowarthCentre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
-
Centre for Storm is number 4 Moses LeoCentre for Broncos is number 4 Deine Mariner
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Nick MeaneyWinger for Broncos is number 5 Grant Anderson
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Broncos is number 8 Corey Jensen
-
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory Paix
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Joe Chan2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Xavier Willison
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Ativalu Lisati2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Tui KamikamicaLock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran WishartInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Ben Hunt
-
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Trent LoieroInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Ben Talty
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Davvy MoaleInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Aublix Tawha
-
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Cooper ClarkeInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Gehamat Shibasaki
-
Interchange for Storm is number 18 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Broncos is number 18 Brendan Piakura
-
Interchange for Storm is number 19 Siulagi Tuimalatu-BrownInterchange for Broncos is number 19 Jaiyden Hunt
Reserves
-
Reserve for Storm is number 20 Jack HetheringtonReserve for Broncos is number 20 Blake Mozer
-
Reserve for Storm is number 21 Preston ConnReserve for Broncos is number 21 Jesse Arthars
-
Reserve for Storm is number 22 Trent ToelauReserve for Broncos is number 22 Thomas Duffy
Storm Ins
- Alec MacDonald
- Preston Conn
- Trent Loiero
- Trent Toelau
Broncos Ins
- Blake Mozer
- Brendan Piakura
- Jesse Arthars
- Thomas Duffy
Storm Outs
- Angus Hinchey
Broncos Ins
- Jack Gosiewski
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm have won their last nine games against the Broncos at AAMI Park.
- The Broncos have conceded 66 points in their opening two games.
- The Storm have scored 13 tries in 14 games against the Broncos.
- Broncos fullback Reece Walsh has scored 28 points in his last two games against the Storm.
- Storm coach Craig Bellamy has won 14 from 17 against Michael Maguire-coached teams.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
