Melbourne Storm v Wests Tigers
Monday 4 August, 7:00pm
Campbelltown Stadium
NYC: Saturday 2 August, 1:15pm, Campbelltown Stadium
Broadcast:
TV: Fox Sports – Live 7pm
Online: NRL Digital Pass
Radio: Triple M, ABC Grandstand
Melbourne Storm take on the eleventh-placed Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium on Monday night in what is shaping as a crucial match for both clubs.
In last weekend’s encounter with the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, it was Craig Bellamy’s men who boosted their top eight credentials with a strong 22-point win against tough opposition.
For the Tigers, it was not such smooth sailing as they fell to a 28-12 defeat at the hands of the Gareth Widdop inspired Dragons. Mick Potter and his squad will need improvement on Monday night as they fight to keep themselves in finals contention against Storm who look to have found the consistency and form they have been searching for in recent weeks.
After narrowly losing to the Bulldogs in Round 18, Storm have managed to secure two wins in a row and will be looking to make it a third this weekend in Campbelltown.
Be at AAMI Park when Storm host the Sharks in Round 23. Tickets here.
History between these two clubs suggests that Storm have the upper hand having won 15 of 24 matches against the Tigers, however of the last ten games, it is level pegging with five wins apiece.
Craig Bellamy opted to make no changes to his line-up, sticking with the same winning squad who took on the Broncos. Wests Tigers have also opted to name an unchanged line-up from the team that took on the Dragons in Sunday’s loss.
Storm’s playing ranks were bolstered during the week with promising playmaker Ben Hampton agreeing to terms with the club to extend his stay for a further two years.
Monday night’s match between the two clubs will be played as a tribute match to former Wests Tigers player Simon Dwyer, with $5 from every adult and family ticket going towards Simon. It has been three years since Dwyer suffered a career-ending injury at Campbelltown.
The NRL have also committed to financially matching ticket sales for the match.
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee – Ben Cummins & Chris James
Sideline Officials – Brett Suttor & Grant Atkins
Video Referees – Jared Maxwell & Luke Phillips
HEAD TO HEAD:
Played: 24
Storm: 15
Tigers: 9
Draw: 1
LAST TIME THEY MET:
Round 16, 2013 – West Tigers 22 (Blake Ayshford, Benji Marshall, David Nofoaluma, Tim Simona; Goals: Benji Marshall 3) defeated Melbourne Storm 4 (Maurice Blair)
LAST 5 MATCHES:
Round 16, 2013 – West Tigers 22 (Blake Ayshford, Benji Marshall, David Nofoaluma, Tim Simona; Goals: Benji Marshall 3) defeated Melbourne Storm 4 (Maurice Blair)
Round 5, 2013 – Melbourne Storm 26 (Cooper Cronk, Mahe Fonua, Siosaia Vave, Sisa Waqa; Goals: Cameron Smith 4; Field Goals: Gareth Widdop) defeated West Tigers 12 (Benji Marshall, James Tedesco; Goals: Braith Anasta)
Round 26, 2012 – Melbourne Storm 26 (Ryan Hoffman, Sika Manu, Bryan Norrie, Kevin Proctor, Sisa Waqa; Goals: Cameron Smith 3)
Round 14, 2012 – West Tigers 10 (Lote Tuqiri, Matt Utai; Goals: Benji Marshall) defeated Melbourne Storm 6 (Dane Nielsen; Goals: Gareth Widdop 1)
Round 15, 2011 – Melbourne Storm 12 (Ryan Hinchcliffe, Kevin Proctor; Goals: Matt Duffie; Field Goals: Cameron Smith) defeated West Tigers 4 (Beau Ryan)
The views expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not reflect the views of Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club.
