Round 11 Preview - Storm v Eels

Melbourne Storm v Parramatta Eels

Monday May 23, 7pm
Pirtek Stadium

Storm will be chasing their fifth straight win of the season when they enter Pirtek Stadium on Monday night.
Waiting for them will be a vocal home crowd desperate to see an Eels side restart their season with a big win.
Melbourne currently sit inside the top four, with only points difference separating them from the competition’s top spot.

A win over the reigning premiers last week gave Craig Bellamy’s side plenty of confidence but they must re-focus ahead of facing a determined Parramatta.

Kieran Foran has not been named for the Eels, leaving Brad Arthur to select the same 17 that was pipped at the post by the Rabbitohs last Friday.

Eels forwards Beau Scott and Isaac De Gois have been cleared to play after entering early guilty pleas for their charges from the Match Review Committee.

Storm were handed another injury to their outside backs with Ben Hampton ruled out for the next 3-5 weeks with a calf tear.

Tohu Harris will again shift to the centres as cover with Christian Welch coming into the side.

Be at AAMI Park when we take on the Panthers, Saturday 4 June, 7:30pm.

Key Matchups:

Marika Koroiebte v Semi Radradra

Get your popcorn ready, this head-to-head battle of the Fijian Flyers is set to produce fireworks. The two human highlight reels will be the go-to finishers for their respective sides. Radradra has eight tries in 10 games this season to go along with his 15 offloads and six line breaks. Koroibete has five tries but has played two fewer games. Both men have proven tough to contain this season, averaging 9.7 metres per run. Radradra bagged a double last time out against Melbourne and is a real danger man for the men in purple.

Cooper Cronk v Corey Norman

If Kieran Foran does not play this halves matchup will take centre stage. Norman has assumed the No.7 in the absence of his skipper and will look to spearhead his side’s attack. The proven playmaker has led from the front in Parra’s strong start to the season, ranked number one at the Club for try assists. Cronk is Melbourne’s equal leading try scorer with six to his name whilst also setting up another four. With both sides possessing significant attacking weapons, each man will look to providing their teammates with service on a silver platter.

History: Played 30; Storm 18, Eels 12. Melbourne have won three of their last four games against the Eels although Parra got the points in Round 14 last year. Smith, Cronk, Slater, Chambers and Koroibete were missing that day, although three of those players will be back for Monday night.

Match Officials: Referee – Ashley Klein; Assistant – Adam Gee; Touch Judges – Russell Turner & Chris Sutton; Review Officials – Ben Galea & Matt Cecchin; Senior Review Official – Bernard Sutton.

Broadcast: TV – Fox Sports 1, Radio – ABC Grandstand & Triple M, Online – NRL Digital Pass.

Squads: