Storm v Raiders: Howarth, Wishart return; Origin duo named
Back at home after their first bye of the season, the Storm will be looking to build in their recent run of winning form when they host the Raiders.
In their last match in Round 13, the Storm held on against the Knights in an important and hard-fought win. If they are to keep their impressive consecutive finals record intact, they will need to keep working on their basics and be switched on to any second-half fightbacks.
The Raiders however are fighting to emerge from a form slump of their own where they have lost four their past five matches.
Last week – while they were missing some key personnel like Hudson Young and Ethan Strange to Origin duty – there was no excuse for their poor outing against the Eels, who just showed they wanted the win more.
With a tough away battle against a resurgent Melbourne, the match will be a good opportunity for Ricky Stuart’s men to show more mettle.
The Storm will also be highlighting the importance of mental wellbeing, hosting their first Mental Health game, with ambassadors Josh King, Alec MacDonald and Will Warbrick speaking about the importance to speaking up and reaching out to mates.
*After the excitement of Origin at the MCG, the rugby league action continues in Melbourne when the Storm host the Raiders on Sunday afternoon. Kids tickets are available from $8, click here to secure your seats today.
Match: Storm v Raiders
Round 16 -
home Team
Storm
11th Position
away Team
Raiders
13th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Storm: Craig Bellamy has named Origin reps Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Trent Loiero to back up four days after Game Two. The fact the game is in their own backyard at the MCG means no travel for the Maroons trio which is a bonus. Centre Jack Howarth (quad) and utility Tyran Wishart (ankle) are back on deck for the Storm so Manaia Waitere (ankle) and Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown make way.
Raiders: Winger Savelio Tamale has been named to return from a concussion but forwards Josh Papalii (calf) and Simi Sasagi (shoulder) remain sidelined. Blues stars Ethan Strange and Hudson Young have been included in the starting line-up so Daine Laurie and Ata Mariota go back to the interchange. Last week's debutant Vena Patuki-Case retains his place on the bench.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi FaalogoFullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will WarbrickWinger for Raiders is number 2 Savelio Tamale
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack HowarthCentre for Raiders is number 3 Sebastian Kris
-
Centre for Storm is number 4 Joe ChanCentre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Moses LeoWinger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Ethan Sanders
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Raiders is number 8 Corey Horsburgh
-
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Cooper Clarke2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Ativalu Lisati2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Zac Hosking
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent LoieroLock for Raiders is number 13 Jayden Brailey
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Trent ToelauInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Owen Pattie
-
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Ata Mariota
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Jack HetheringtonInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Morgan Smithies
-
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Josiah PahuluInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Daine Laurie
-
Interchange for Storm is number 18 Shawn BloreInterchange for Raiders is number 18 Jed Stuart
-
Interchange for Storm is number 19 Tyran WishartInterchange for Raiders is number 19 Vena Patuki-Case
Reserves
-
Reserve for Storm is number 20 Davvy MoaleReserve for Raiders is number 20 Coby Black
-
Reserve for Storm is number 21 Preston ConnReserve for Raiders is number 21 Jordan Uta
-
Reserve for Storm is number 22 Siulagi Tuimalatu-BrownReserve for Raiders is number 22 Chevy Stewart
-
Reserve for Storm is number 23 Lockyer-Azile Foliola
Storm Ins
- Davvy Moale
- Jack Howarth
- Lockyer-Azile Foliola
- Preston Conn
- Tyran Wishart
Raiders Ins
- Ethan Strange
- Hudson Young
- Jordan Uta
- Savelio Tamale
Storm Outs
- Manaia Waitere
Raiders Ins
- Joe Roddy
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm have scored 94 points in three successive wins at AAMI Park.
- The Raiders have won five of their last seven games at AAMI Park.
- Storm winger Will Warbrick has scored seven tries in his last nine games at AAMI Park.
- Ricky Stuart will bring up 800 games as player (243 games) and coach (557 games).
- Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster is expected to make his 250th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
