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The Storm will return home to AAMI Park looking to bounce back against ladder leaders Brisbane on Thursday night after being touched up by the Rabbitohs at Magic Round.

Melbourne have shown signs of their being at their ruthless best in 2023 but the inconsistencies of their performances is a concern for Craig Bellamy, who conceded following the Bunnies defeat that they weren't learning from losses.

The Broncos have been the form team in 2023 with eight wins from 10 starts but face their toughest road trip yet in just their third time leaving Queensland this year. 

Historically the Storm have a dominant 38-13 head-to-head record over the Broncos and in their last two meetings Bellamy's side has piled on 92 points, including the most recent 60-12 flogging in August last year.

A Storm side looking to rebound and at home provides the perfect test for the Broncos' premiership credentials after a strong start to the year.

Team news

Storm: Fijian powerhouse Tui Kamikamica has been moved into the starting side an hour before kick-off as he returns from a two-game suspension. Nelson Asofa-Solomona goes back to the bench and Grant Anderson drops to 18th Man. George Jennings (hamstring) and Alec MacDonald (elbow) are at least another week away.

Broncos: The Broncos are 1-17 with no late changes. Kurt Capewell is good to go despite suffering a head knock against the Sea Eagles last week. Corey Oates (knee) is at least another week away from being back to full fitness. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
    Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece Walsh
  • Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
    Winger for Broncos is number 2 Jesse Arthars
  • Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
    Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
  • Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
    Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
  • Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
    Winger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo
  • Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
    Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
  • Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
    Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Forwards

  • Prop for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
    Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas Flegler
  • Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
    Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy Walters
  • Prop for Storm is number 21 Tui Kamikamica
    Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Trent Loiero
    2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kurt Capewell
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
    2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
  • Lock for Storm is number 13 Josh King
    Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan

Interchange

  • Interchange for Storm is number 8 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
    Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Cory Paix
  • Interchange for Storm is number 14 Bronson Garlick
    Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Corey Jensen
  • Interchange for Storm is number 15 Aaron Pene
    Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Kobe Hetherington
  • Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tom Eisenhuth
    Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Martin Taupau

Reserves

  • Replacement for Storm is number 17 Grant Anderson
    Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Deine Mariner

Match Officials

  • Referee: Todd Smith
  • Touch Judge: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Dally M leader Payne Haas has made 669 post-contact metres this season at an average of 74m per game.
  • The Storm's completion rate of 80 per cent is amongst the best in the NRL, with the Warriors on top with 82 percent.
  • The Storm have won 12 consecutive games against the Broncos, who have not won at AAMI Park since 2016.
  • Tui Kamikamica has scored a try in his last three games against the Broncos.
  • Martin Taupau is the only Broncos’ player who has tasted an NRL victory at AAMI Park, which came before moving to Brisbane.
  • Winger Xavier Coates has scored 16 tries in 13 games at AAMI Park.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.

 

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Acknowledgement of Country

Melbourne Storm respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.