Sea Eagles v Storm: Feledy steps up; Wishart's new role
One of the fiercest rivalries of the 21st century is set for another chapter when the Sea Eagles host Melbourne on Saturday night.
The two clubs engaged in a number of epic contests throughout the early 2000s, including back-to-back grand finals in 2007 and 2008.
While many of the players have changed, the rivalry remains just as intense and there is plenty on the line this weekend.
Melbourne can expect a hostile reception from a packed 4 Pines Park as they look to continue a mid-season climb up the ladder.
The Storm have now won five of their last six to rise to 11th and reignite their finals chances.
Harry Grant and Cam Munster are back to their best, while Will Warbrick has emerged as one of the best aerial threats in the game.
Manly suffered a heartbreaking golden-point loss to Canterbury last week but the Sea Eagles are hopeful a return home will trigger a return to form.
Fullback Tom Trbojevic is back on deck and back-rower Haumole Olakau'atu has one last chance to earn a NSW recall for the State of Origin decider.
Match: Sea Eagles v Storm
Round 17 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
6th Position
away Team
Storm
11th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Team News
Sea Eagles: Emerging outside back Clayton Faulalo remains in the extended squad as he looks to make an early return from a hamstring injury. Faulalo will likely come into the centres if cleared to play, with Reuben Garrick ruled out due to a head knock. Brandon Wakeham and Kobe Hetherington have also been ruled out, with Jake Simpkin to line up at hooker and Ethan Bullemor at prop. Just one minor change in Friday's team update, Hugo Hart coming on to the six-man bench in place of Jackson Shereb.
Storm: Coach Craig Bellamy has been forced into a change 24-hours out from kick-off, with Jack Howarth ruled out due to a quad contusion. The centre will be replaced by Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown. Tyran Wishart is set to start at halfback after Jahrome Hughes was struck down with a minor hamstring injury. Harry Grant is also back in the starting side after coming off the bench in last week's win over the Raiders.
Match: Sea Eagles v Storm
Round 17 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom TrbojevicFullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi Faalogo
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason SaabWinger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau KoulaCentre for Storm is number 4 Joe Chan
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Josh FeledyCentre for Storm is number 19 Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi HopoateWinger for Storm is number 5 Moses Leo
-
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke BrooksFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Storm is number 7 Tyran Wishart
Forwards
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela PasekaProp for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jake SimpkinHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 16 Simione LaiafiProp for Storm is number 10 Josh King
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Cooper Clarke
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Ativalu Lisati
-
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 10 Ethan BullemorInterchange for Storm is number 14 Trent Toelau
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Joey WalshInterchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonald
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Nathan BrownInterchange for Storm is number 18 Shawn Blore
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Aaron SchouppInterchange for Storm is number 21 Stanley Huen
Reserves
-
Replacement for Storm is number 15 Jack Hetherington
-
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 18 Blake WilsonReserve for Storm is number 16 Josiah Pahulu
-
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 20 Hugo Hart
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sea Eagles have won four of their last six games against the Storm.
- Storm winger Will Warbrick has scored seven tries in his last six games.
- Sea Eagles centre Tolu Koula has scored 14 tries in his last 15 games at 4 Pines Park.
- The Storm will be aiming to register their 500th win since entering the NRL in 1998.
- Sea Eagles winger Jason Saab has scored seven tries in seven games against the Storm.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
