Melbourne Storm v Parramatta Eels
Sunday 10 May, 4pm
Pirtek Stadium
TV: GEM, LIVE from 3:30pm
Online: NRL Digital Pass
Radio: Triple M, 2GB
Coming off a bye courtesy of the representative weekend, both Melbourne and Parramatta will look to hit the ground running in Round 9 after both suffering losses in Round 8.
Storm missed an opportunity to consolidate a strong half-time lead against Manly on ANZAC Day while the Eels failed to curb the white hot Broncos in Brisbane.
Melbourne had 15 players involved in six games across the representative round last weekend and have selected 10 of those players to 'back up' this round at Pirtek Stadium. The Eels on the other hand have named five players who were involved in representative fixtures.
Storm take on reigning premiers South Sydney at AAMI Park, Saturday 16 May from 7:30pm. Get your tickets.
In a boost for the visitors on Sunday, fullback Billy Slater has been named by Craig Bellamy to make his return from a shoulder injury, as a result youngster Cameron Munster moves onto Storm's extended bench.
In more changes, forwards Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Felise Kaufusi will miss Sunday's match-up with the Eels after receiving suspensions following the weekend's representative round. After missing Storm's last start against the Sea Eagles, Dayne Weston has been brought onto an extended interchange while front-rower Tom Learoyd-Lahrs is in line to make his first appearance since Round 2.
For the Eels, Brad Arthur's side re-gain outside back combination Semi Radradra and Ryan Morgan for the clash replacing Bureta Faraimo and John Folau. Both Radradra and Morgan have enjoyed success in the past against Melbourne, both scoring tries the last time the two sides met back in Round 15 last season.
Isaac De Gois also returns for the Eels, coming onto an extended five-man interchange bench.
TEAMS:
Melbourne Storm: 1. Billy Slater, 2. Mahe Fonua, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Kurt Mann, 5. Marika Koroibete, 6. Blake Green, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Dale Finucane, 14. Ryan Hinchcliffe, 15. Tim Glasby, 16. Dayne Weston, 17. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, 18. Cameron Munster
Parramatta Eels: 1. Reece Robinson, 2. Semi Radradra, 3. Will Hopoate, 4. Brad Takairangi, 5. Ryan Morgan, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Chris Sandow, 8. Danny Wicks, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Tim Mannah (c), 11. Manu Ma'u, 12. David Gower, 13. Anthony Watmough, 14. Isaac De Gois, 15. Joseph Paulo, 16. Richie Fa'aoso, 17. Peni Terepo, 18. Tepai Moeroa
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referees – Gerard Sutton, Alan Shortall
Sideline Officials – Brett Suttor, Nick Beashel
Video Referees – Bernard Suton, Luke Patten
HEAD TO HEAD:
Overall
Played: 28
Melbourne: 17
Parramatta: 11
at Pirtek Stadium
Played: 13
Melbourne: 6
Parramatta: 7
LAST TIME THEY MET:
Round 15, 2014
Melbourne Storm 46
Tries: Sisa Waqa 2, Billy Slater 2, Kurt Mann 2, Bryan Norrie 1, Jordan McLean 1
Goals: Cameron Smith 6, Ben Roberts 1
Defeated by.
Parramatta Eels 20
Tries: Ryan Morgan 2, Semi Radradra 1, Vai Toutai 1
Goals: Chris Sandow
at AAMI Park.
