Storm v Sea Eagles: Munster back on deck; Laiafi to start
A new chapter is set to be written in one of the great rivalries of the modern era when Melbourne take on Manly on Saturday afternoon.
The teams will head across the Nullarbor to Perth's HBF Park for a crucial clash between two sides desperate to keep their finals hopes alive.
Manly are well-rested after last week's bye and eager to hit the ground running in their bid to climb back into the eight.
The Sea Eagles have lost four in a row but they have strike all across the park and can score points at will.
Defence will be a key area of focus, with Manly struggling in that aspect of the game in recent times.
Melbourne enter the clash battered and bruised after a tough few weeks that have seen Cam Munster, Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes miss time with injuries.
The Storm currently sit 12th, six points outside the eight and they need to find form to keep a remarkable 15-year finals streak alive.
Match: Storm v Sea Eagles
Round 23 -
home Team
Storm
11th Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
10th Position
Venue: HBF Park, Perth
Team News
Storm: Shawn Blore has been elevated to the starting side 90 minutes before kick-off with Cooper Clarke sliding to the bench. Jack Howarth's return from a shoulder injury has been delayed and he dropped out on Friday, replaced in the starting side by Joe Chan. After initial fears he could miss the rest of the season after surgery to repair knee cartilage damage, five-eighth Cameron Munster is back after four games on the sideline. Young gun Hayden Watson remains at halfback so the versatile Tyran Wishart moves to hooker and Trent Toelau slides to the bench.
Sea Eagles: Prop Ethan Bullemor suffered a head knock in training and will follow NRL concussion protocol. He will miss this week's game and also the Round 24 clash against the Dolphins. Simione Laiafi moves into the starting side with Jackson Shereb elevated to the extended interchange. Hooker Brandon Wakeham (calf) and back-rower Corey Waddell (ankle) are good to go but Ben Trbojevic (concussion) misses the trip west. A blow for Kobe Hetherington who suffered a ruptured bicep in training this week and is headed for surgery.
Match: Storm v Sea Eagles
Round 23 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Sea Eagles
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi FaalogoFullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Lehi Hopoate
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Siulagi Tuimalatu-BrownWinger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
-
Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick MeaneyCentre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula
-
Centre for Storm is number 18 Joe ChanCentre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Moses LeoWinger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Blake Wilson
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Joey Walsh
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Hayden WatsonHalfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka
-
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Tyran WishartHooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Brandon Wakeham
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Sea Eagles is number 16 Simione Laiafi
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Oryn Keeley2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 15 Shawn Blore2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Corey Waddell
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent LoieroLock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 11 Cooper ClarkeInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Jake Simpkin
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Trent ToelauInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Nathan Brown
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Davvy MoaleInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Fletcher Baker
-
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Angus HincheyInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 19 Josh Feledy
-
Reserve for Storm is number 19 Jack HetheringtonReserve for Sea Eagles is number 18 Jackson Shereb
-
Reserve for Storm is number 22 Manaia WaitereReserve for Sea Eagles is number 21 Nicholas Lenaz
Match Officials
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm have won four of their six games played in Perth.
- The Sea Eagles have won five of their last seven games against the Storm.
- Storm winger Moses Leo has scored eight tries in his last eight games.
- Sea Eagles winger Jason Saab has scored eight tries in eight games against the Storm.
- The Storm have conceded more points after 22 rounds than any previous season under Craig Bellamy.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
