Round 19
Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders
Saturday 19 July, 5:30pm at AAMI Park
BOOK TICKETS
NRL: 5:30pm; NYC: 3:15pm; Gates open: 3:00pm
Broadcast:
TV: Fox Sports 1, LIVE from 5:30pm
Online: NRL Digital Pass
Radio: ABC Grandstand
Melbourne Storm face off against the 15th placed Canberra Raiders at AAMI Park on Saturday evening in RiseForAlex Round.
For Storm, the team will be hoping to bounce back from last week’s narrow loss to the Bulldogs in what coach Craig Bellamy described as their best defensive effort of the year.
The Raiders were able to break a four-game losing streak in Round 18, triumphing against the Gold Coast Titans. The victory is sure to fill the travelling side with some much-needed confidence as they hope to finish off the season strongly.
See contestants of The Voice in action at AAMI Park on Saturday evening. Buy tickets to Storm's match-up with Canberra here.
Melbourne have not had it all their own way when coming up against the Raiders at AAMI Park in recent times. Storm have lost the past three matches against Canberra in Melbourne. Ricky Stuart’s men also claimed victory during the 2014 pre-season at the venue, winning 20-12 at AAMI Park. Overall however, Storm boast a record of 24 wins from 35 games.
With Raiders star Jarod Croker in some stellar form in recent weeks, it will take another huge defensive effort from Storm to try and nullify the impact of the lively centre.
Storm Coach Craig Bellamy has named an unchanged line-up to his side that went down to the Bulldogs last weekend.
Injury has forced Ricky Stuart into a change in personnel for their Round 19 clash. Jarrad Kennedy has been named in the centres to cover for Brenko Lee, who goes out due to a hamstring injury. Former Storm player Brett White also returns to the line-up whilst Matt Allwood has been named on an extended bench.
With Round 19 the inaugural RiseForAlex Round, the NRL will donate $1 to the RiseForAlex Fund for every fan who attends an NRL match this weekend. AAMI Park will also donate a $1 for every patron at Storm’s match against the Raiders.
Fans can show their support by purchasing a RiseForAlex wristband, which will be sold at the stadium on Saturday.
Match Officials:
Referee – Shayne Hayne & Chris Butler
Sideline Officials – Paul Holland & Dave Ryan
Video Referees – Steve Clark & Ben Galea
Head-to-head:
Played: 35
Storm: 24
Raiders: 10
Draw: 1
Last time they met:
Round 7, 2014 – Canberra Raiders 24 (Reece Robinson 2, Matt Allwood, Paul Vaughan; Goals: Jarrod Croker 4) defeated Melbourne Storm 22 (Mahe Fonua 2, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Sisa Waqa, Goals; Cameron Smith 3)
Last 5 matches:
Round 7, 2014 – Canberra Raiders 24 (Reece Robinson 2, Matt Allwood, Paul Vaughan; Goals: Jarrod Croker 4) defeated Melbourne Storm 22 (Mahe Fonua 2, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Sisa Waqa, Goals; Cameron Smith 3)
Round 21, 2013 – Melbourne Storm 68 (Mahe Fonua 3, Sisa Waqa 3, Will Chambers 2, Billy Slater 2, Tohu Harris, Kevin Proctor; Goals: Cameron Smith 10) defeated Canberra Raiders 4 (Anthony Milford)
Round 8, 2013 – Canberra Raiders 24 (Blake Ferguson 2, Reece Robinson, Jack Wighton; Goals: Blake Ferguson 4) defeated Melbourne Storm 20 (Jesse Bromwich, Mahe Fonua, Justin O’Neill, Billy Slater; Goals: Cameron Smith 2)
Round 18, 2012 – Canberra Raiders 40 (Edrick Lee 3, Sandor Earl 2, Jarrod Croker, Blake Ferguson, Reece Robinson; Goals: Jarrod Croker 4) defeated Melbourne Storm 12 (Justin O’Neill 2; Goals: Gareth Widdop 2)
Round 1, 2012 – Melbourne Storm 24 (Billy Slater 2, Cooper Cronk, Justin O’Neill; Goals: Cameron Smith 4) defeated Canberra Raiders 19 (Glen Buttriss, Shaun Fensom, Josh McCrone; Goals: Jarrod Croker 3; Field Goals: Josh Dugan)
The views expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not reflect the views of Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club.
