Raiders v Storm: Timoko recalled; Blore nears return
From their Magic Round epic in 2025 to a classic qualifying final in 2019 decided by a late John Bateman try, the Raiders-Storm rivalry rarely fails to deliver.
The Storm have won 38 of the 56 matches between the sides since 1998, including 16 of 23 at GIO Stadium, but Craig Bellamy's men head to Canberra on the back of a worrying four-game losing slide.
This is rare air for the Storm, who haven't lost five in a row since 2012, and the lack of defensive steel will have Bellamy and his senior leaders on edge.
In Kaeo Weekes, Ethan Strange and Hudson Young, the Raiders have the firepower to expose any frailties in Melbourne's defence and they will be looking a repeat of the razzle dazzle footy that carried them past the Bunnies in Perth.
Match: Raiders v Storm
Round 7 -
home Team
Raiders
15th Position
away Team
Storm
13th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Raiders: Kiwi Matt Timoko comes in at centre for his first NRL appearance since Round 2 with Seb Kris sliding to the wing and Savelio Tamale dropping out. Speedster Daine Laurie is part of the six-man bench and will be keen for an opportunity on the back of a hat-trick in NSW Cup last weekend.
Storm: Just the one change to the starting line-up with winger Manaia Waitere promoted from the bench to start in place of Mose Leo, who drops to the reserves. Shawn Blore joins the interchange as he chases his first NRL appearance of the season after three games in NSW Cup.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo WeekesFullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi Faalogo
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Sebastian KrisWinger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Simi SasagiCentre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew TimokoCentre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jed StuartWinger for Storm is number 5 Manaia Waitere
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan StrangeFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Ethan SandersHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh PapaliiProp for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom StarlingHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
-
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Storm is number 10 Josh King
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Joe Chan
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Noah Martin2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Cooper Clarke
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Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey HorsburghLock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Jayden BraileyInterchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
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Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Zac HoskingInterchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonald
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Ata MariotaInterchange for Storm is number 16 Jack Hetherington
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Morgan SmithiesInterchange for Storm is number 17 Davvy Moale
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 18 Daine LaurieInterchange for Storm is number 18 Shawn Blore
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 19 Joe RoddyInterchange for Storm is number 19 Hugo Peel
Reserves
-
Reserve for Raiders is number 20 Owen PattieReserve for Storm is number 20 Lazarus Vaalepu
-
Reserve for Raiders is number 21 Savelio TamaleReserve for Storm is number 21 Moses Leo
-
Reserve for Raiders is number 22 Chevy StewartReserve for Storm is number 22 Trent Toelau
Raiders Ins
- Chevy Stewart
- Matthew Timoko
- Owen Pattie
Storm Ins
- Hugo Peel
- Shawn Blore
- Trent Toelau
Raiders Outs
Storm Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Raiders have not defeated the Storm at GIO Stadium since 2016.
- The Storm are aiming to avoid five straight defeats for the first time in 14 years.
- Storm centre Nick Meaney will make his 100th appearance for the club.
- The Raiders have conceded 32 points or more in their last three game.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
