Round 21
Melbourne Storm v Wests Tigers
Friday 31 July, 7:45pm
Leichhardt Oval
TV: GO Channel from 7:30pm (in Melbourne)
Online: NRL Digital Pass
Radio: TBA
Melbourne Storm will look to make it three wins in a row on Friday night when they travel to Leichhardt Oval to face Wests Tigers.
After back-to-back victories Craig Bellamy's side has consolidated their position inside the NRL's top eight and returned to form following the Origin period. As a result, Storm have opted for stability, naming the same side which defeated the Dragons in Napier last weekend, including winger Matt Duffie who made his return to first-grade football after being sidelined for two and a half years through injury.
Be there when Storm take on the Titans in Round 22, Sunday 9 August at AAMI Park! Tickets here.
For Jason Taylor's side, Wests Tigers regain skipper and number nine Robbie Farah but will have to cover the loss of forwards Chris Lawrence (ankle) and Martin Taupau (suspension).
Historically, Wests Tigers hold an 8-4 advantage over Melbourne at Leichhardt Oval recording a narrow 10-4 victory in their last start at the venue back in 2013.
TEAMS:
Melbourne Storm: 1. Cameron Munster, 2. Marika Koroibete, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Tohu Harris, 5. Matt Duffie, 6. Blake Green, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Tim Glasby, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Kenny Bromwich, 13. Ryan Hinchcliffe, 14. Dale Finucane, 15. Mahe Fonua, 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 17. Christian Welch.
Wests Tigers: 1. James Tedesco, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Kevin Naiqama, 4. Tim Simona, 5. Pat Richards, 6. Mitchell Moses, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Robbie Farah (c), 10. Keith Galloway, 11. Curtis Sironen, 12. Dene Halatau, 13. Sauaso Sue, 14. Kyle Lovett, 15. Jack Buchanan, 16. Ava Seumanufagai, 17. Brenden Santi, 18. Manaia Cherrington
TEAMS:
Referees: Adam Devcich, Chris Sutton
Sideline Officials: Rick MacFarlane, Kasey Badger
Video Referees: Jared Maxwell, Luke Patten
HEAD TO HEAD:
Overall
Played: 25
Storm: 16
Tigers: 9
at Leichhardt Oval
Played: 12
Storm: 4
Tigers: 8
LAST TIME THEY MET:
Round 21, 2014
Melbourne Storm 28
Tries: Marika Koroibete 2, Will Chambers, Sisa Waqa, Cameron Smith
Goals: Cameron Smith 4
Defeated.
Wests Tigers 6
Tries: Sitaleki Akauola
Goals: Pat Richards
at Campbelltown Stadium.
