Storm v Wests Tigers: Hughes returns; Madden starts at half
Storm are back at home against Wests Tigers, but have entered into uncharted waters having lost their seventh straight game for the first time in their existence.
Last week, they put up a strong fight against the Dolphins to hold a 10-4 lead at the break, but as has been a pattern this season, were run down in the second to lose 28-10.
Lifting for their their coach Craig Bellamy, who has been fighting a private health battle, the side showed good signs in the first half, with Sua Faalogo once again scoring a try-of-the-year contender. They also equalled their record of three home-grown talents on the field at the same time, with Faalogo joined by fellow Victorian juniors Hugo Peel and Trent Toelau.
They will be aiming to play their good football for longer against a Wests Tigers side that were completely outclassed last week by Cronulla.
After the game, coach Benji Marshall expressed his deep disappointment not only in the 52-10 result, but what he felt was a consistent lack of effort across the board throughout the 80 minutes.
His words will no doubt spark a response in his players this week who will want to climb back into the top four on the ladder.
Match: Storm v Wests Tigers
Round 10 -
home Team
Storm
16th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
5th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Storm: Halfback Jahrome Hughes has been named to return from a head knock in a major boost for the struggling Storm. Hughes comes in for Tyran Wishart, who suffered an ankle injury last week. No other changes to the starting side but young playmaker Stanley Huen has been added to the bench for a potential debut.
Wests Tigers: Benji Marshall has rejigged his backline after the outside backs endured a tough afternoon in Cronulla last week. With Jahream Bula still sidelined with a shoulder injury, Heath Mason steps into the No.1 jumper and Sunia Turuva moves to the wing. Patrick Herbert replaces Starford Toa in the centres and Jock Madden steps in at halfback after Adam Doueihi dislocated his shoulder last week. Back-rower Kai Pearce-Paul has been named to make his return from a concussion, replacing the injured Samuela Fainu (foot). Mavrik Geyer has been named on the six-man bench for a potential club debut, while emerging playmaker Javon Andrews has also been listed in the reserves.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi FaalogoFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Heath Mason
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will WarbrickWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack HowarthCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Patrick Herbert
-
Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick MeaneyCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Taylan May
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Hugo PeelWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Luke Laulilii
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jarome Luai
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jock Madden
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May
-
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Tristan Hope
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Sione Fainu
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Ativalu Lisati2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent LoieroLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Trent ToelauInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Latu Fainu
-
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Joe ChanInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Bunty Afoa
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Davvy MoaleInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Seyfarth
-
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Cooper ClarkeInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Royce Hunt
-
Interchange for Storm is number 18 Stanley HuenInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Mavrik Geyer
-
Interchange for Storm is number 19 Manaia WaitereInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Jeral Skelton
Reserves
-
Reserve for Storm is number 20 Jack HetheringtonReserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Charlie Murray
-
Reserve for Storm is number 21 Lazarus VaalepuReserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Tony Sukkar
-
Reserve for Storm is number 22 Moses LeoReserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Javon Andrews
Storm Ins
- Jack Hetherington
- Jahrome Hughes
- Lazarus Vaalepu
- Moses Leo
- Stanley Huen
Wests Tigers Ins
- Bunty Afoa
- Charlie Murray
- Heath Mason
- Javon Andrews
- Kai Pearce-Paul
- Mavrik Geyer
- Patrick Herbert
Storm Outs
- Josiah Pahulu
- Tyran Wishart
Wests Tigers Ins
- Adam Doueihi
- Faaletino Tavana
- Samuela Fainu
- Starford To'a
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm have won their last eight games against the Tigers.
- Wests Tigers have not won at AAMI Park since 2018.
- Storm winger Will Warbrick has scored six tries in three games against the Tigers.
- Tigers forward Royce Hunt will make his 100th NRL appearance.
- Storm fullback Sua Fa’alogo has scored 11 tries in nine games this season.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
