Storm v Knights: Manaia in for Meaney; Sharpe to six
With wins in three of their past four matches, the Storm have well and truly put their worst ever losing streak of seven in the rear view mirror.
They still find themselves in unfamiliar territory in 13th position but the Storm have a guaranteed six points to come from three byes as well as three of their next four games at AAMI Park.
Crucially the Storm have found their defensive mojo to concede just 14ppg across the past four games and they will need to be on song in that area to contain Kalyn Ponga, Fletcher Sharpe, Dylan Brown and the Knights' potent wingers Dom Young and Greg Marzhew.
Under the guidance of new coach Justin Holbrook, the Knights have been one of the real success stories of 2026, chalking up eight wins to sit fourth on the ladder as they head to a venue where they have won just twice in 13 attempts.
The Knights' last victory at AAMI Park came in 2015 so there is no shortage of motivation for Ponga and co to make a massive statement against the club that has set the benchmark for the past two decades.
Match: Storm v Knights
Round 14 -
home Team
Storm
13th Position
away Team
Knights
4th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Storm: With Nick Meaney (calf) sidelined, Manaia Waitere starts in the centres after coming off the bench against the Roosters. Back-rower Shawn Blore has been listed among the reserves as he looks to return from concussion.
Knights: The injury to Sandon Smith (calf) sees Fletcher Sharpe move to five-eighth and Fletcher Hunt from the bench into the centres. Francis Manuleleua is the new face on the six-man interchange while Thomas Cant look set to see game time after going unused last week.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi FaalogoFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will WarbrickWinger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
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Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack HowarthCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Storm is number 4 Manaia WaitereCentre for Knights is number 4 Fletcher Hunt
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Moses LeoWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
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Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Knights is number 7 Dylan Brown
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
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Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
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Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Knights is number 10 Trey Mooney
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2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Cooper Clarke2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas
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2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Ativalu Lisati2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Jermaine McEwen
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Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent LoieroLock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker
Interchange
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Interchange for Storm is number 14 Trent ToelauInterchange for Knights is number 14 Harrison Graham
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Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Knights is number 15 Tyson Frizell
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Interchange for Storm is number 16 Jack HetheringtonInterchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami Saulo
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Interchange for Storm is number 17 Josiah PahuluInterchange for Knights is number 17 Thomas Cant
-
Interchange for Storm is number 18 Joe ChanInterchange for Knights is number 18 Cody Hopwood
-
Interchange for Storm is number 19 Siulagi Tuimalatu-BrownInterchange for Knights is number 19 Francis Manuleleua
Reserves
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Reserve for Storm is number 20 Shawn BloreReserve for Knights is number 20 James Schiller
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Reserve for Storm is number 21 Keagan Russell-SmithReserve for Knights is number 21 Kyle McCarthy
-
Reserve for Storm is number 22 Angus HincheyReserve for Knights is number 22 Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
Storm Ins
- Angus Hinchey
- Keagan Russell-Smith
- Shawn Blore
- Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown
Knights Ins
- Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
- Francis Manuleleua
- James Schiller
- Kyle McCarthy
Storm Outs
- Nick Meaney
Knights Ins
- Sandon Smith
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm have won 13 of their last 15 games against the Knights.
- The Knights have not won at AAMI Park since 2015.
- Storm winger Moses Leo has scored four tries in his last three games.
- Knights winger Dominic Young has scored five tries in five games against the Storm.
- The Storm have lost all five Friday night games this season.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
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