Melbourne Storm v Sydney Roosters
Saturday 30 August, 7:30pm
Allianz Stadium
Broadcast:
TV: Fox Sports 1 (Live)
Online: NRL Digital Pass
Radio: 2GB, ABC Grandstand
Melbourne Storm will travel to Allianz Stadium on Saturday night to take on third-placed Sydney Roosters.
Melbourne currently sit fifth on the ladder after four wins from five matches and will be hoping to upset the Roosters’ four-game winning streak and continue its finals charge.
Million Dollar Match: 5 Sept, AAMI Park. Be there for your chance “Kick to Cure” and win $1million. Buy tickets here.
Fuelled with confidence, both sides will be looking to extend and build on their good form. Storm has named dependable forward Jesse Bromwich to return to its line-up after missing Monday night’s clash with Penrith while Sydney has been bolstered with the return of Sonny Bill Williams to their starting line-up after a stint on the bench last weekend.
A slender four points is all that separates the top six teams in the NRL as the conclusion of the home and away season approaches, meaning every game and every point is crucial.
Melbourne recorded a 14-point win against the fourth-placed Panthers on Monday night and consolidated themselves within the top eight.
The two clubs last faced off in Round 13 at AAMI Park and it was the Roosters who recorded a 32-12 win with Trent Robinson’s side’s strong performance sealing an all important victory.
History suggests Saturday night’s contest will be another tight affair. Melbourne have won 14 out of a possible 28 games against the Roosters.
Storm Coach Craig Bellamy has named a 19-man squad for the trip to Sydney with Justin O’Neill one of six players on an extended bench.
Match Officials:
Referee – Jared Maxwell and Gavin Morris
Sideline Officials – Steve Carrall and Paul Holland
Video Referees – Steve Chiddy and Luke Patten
Head-to-head:
Played: 28
Storm: 14
Roosters: 12
Draw: 2
Last 5 Matches:
Round 13, 2014 – Sydney Roosters 32 (Anthony Minichiello 2, Remi Casty, Mitchell Pearce, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Sonny Bill Williams; Goals: James Maloney 4) defeated Melbourne Storm 12 (Mahe Fonua, Kurt Mann; Goals: Cameron Smith 2)
Round 11, 2013 – Melbourne Storm 26 (Maurice Blair, Will Chambers, Justin O’Neill, Cameron Smith; Goals: Cameron Smith 5) defeated Sydney Roosters 18 (Michael Jennings, Luke O’Donnell, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck; Goals: James Maloney 3)
Round 4, 2012 – Melbourne Storm 44 (Cooper Cronk 2, Billy Slater 2, Will Chambers, Ryan Hoffman, Dane Nielsen, Kevin Procter; Goals: Cameron Smith 5, Gareth Widdop 1) defeated Sydney Roosters 4 (Boyd Cordner)
Round 26, 2011 – Sydney Roosters 40 (Joseph Leilua 3, Justin Carney, Aidan Guerra, Anthony Minichiello, Mitchell Pearce; Goals: Braith Anasta) defeated Melbourne Storm 8 (Beau Champion, Matthew Duffie)
Round 14, 2011 – Melbourne Storm 21 (Justin O’Neill 2, Beau Champion; Goals: Gareth Widdop 4; Field Goals: Gareth Widdop) defeated Sydney Roosters 4 (Joseph Leilua)
The views expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not reflect the views of Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club.
