Strong squad named for season opener

Author: melbournestorm.com.au
Timestamp: Tue 12 Mar 2019, 04:00 PM

Melbourne Storm is set to field a near full-strength starting lineup in a blockbuster season opener against the Brisbane Broncos at AAMI Park on Thursday night.

The 21-man squad named today includes 14 players from last year's Grand Final team and four players yet to wear the Storm colours in an NRL game.

The quartet of Ryan Papenhuyzen, Tom Eisenhuth, Billy Walters and Marion Seve have all been named on the extended interchange bench which will be reduced later in the week.

With Billy Slater now enjoying retirement, Jahrome Hughes will start at fullback, with Scott Drinkwater ruled out for up to four months with a pec injury.

Will Chambers returns in the centres after missing both pre-season trials.

Grand final squad member Joe Stimson will be rested due to a sore lower back.

The final 17 for round one will be announced one hour prior to kick off.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Thursday 14 Mar

Full Time

Storm

Broncos

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Jahrome Hughes

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Darius Boyd
Winger for Storm is number 2 Suliasi Vunivalu

Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates
Centre for Storm is number 3 Will Chambers

Centre for Broncos is number 3 James Roberts
Centre for Storm is number 4 Curtis Scott

Centre for Broncos is number 4 Jack Bird
Winger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr

Winger for Broncos is number 5 Jamayne Isaako
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster

Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Anthony Milford
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Brodie Croft

Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Kodi Nikorima

Forwards

Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich

Prop for Broncos is number 8 Matthew Lodge
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Cameron Smith

Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Andrew McCullough
Prop for Storm is number 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Prop for Broncos is number 10 Joe Ofahengaue
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi

2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Alex Glenn
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich

2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
Lock for Storm is number 13 Dale Finucane

Lock for Broncos is number 13 Matt Gillett

Interchange

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Brandon Smith

Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Kotoni Staggs
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Christian Welch

Interchange for Broncos is number 15 David Fifita
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tui Kamikamica

Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Thomas Flegler
Interchange for Storm is number 19 Tom Eisenhuth

Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Tevita Pangai Junior