Match preview: Round 22 v Eels
Both sides are coming off losses and will be looking to bounce back quickly as the race for finals spots hots up.
The Storm were favoured to beat Newcastle on Saturday but were blown out of the water by a Knights team that has turned the corner big time in the past month.
The loss pushed Melbourne down one spot to fourth, and with the Raiders, Sharks and resurgent Cowboys hot on their hammer, Craig Bellamy's men need to make a statement in the next fortnight against Parramatta and Penrith.
The Eels found the going tough in Townsville without suspended duo Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Maika Sivo, falling behind by 20 points before a couple of late tries made the scoreline more respectable.
Now clinging to eighth spot by points differential only, the Eels have games against the Storm, Broncos and Panthers to come in a tough run to the finals, although a guaranteed two points from a bye in Round 27 could come in very handy for last year's grand finalists.
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Team news
Storm: Bronson Garlick has dropped back to 18th man and Tepai Moeroa comes onto the bench in a late switch on game day. A new centre combination for the Storm with Young Tonumaipea and Marion Seve coming in for Reimis Smith (adductor) and Justin Olam. Big man Nelson Asofa-Solomona is out with a finger injury, replaced by Tom Eisenhuth. The suspension of Tariq Sims is offset by the return of Eliesa Katoa from an eye injury. Tyran Wishart also joins the bench.
Eels: The Eels are 1-17 with no late changes on game day. Andrew Davey moves into the starting side to replace Shaun Lane, who suffered a dislocated elbow in the loss to the Cowboys. Joey Lussick is the new man on the bench having rejoined the Eels from St Helens this week.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick MeaneyFullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
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Winger for Storm is number 2 Will WarbrickWinger for Eels is number 2 Waqa Blake
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Centre for Storm is number 3 Marion SeveCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
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Centre for Storm is number 4 Young TonumaipeaCentre for Eels is number 4 Bailey Simonsson
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Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Eels is number 5 Sean Russell
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Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Daejarn Asi
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Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
Forwards
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Prop for Storm is number 8 Tui KamikamicaProp for Eels is number 8 Ofahiki Ogden
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Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan Hands
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Prop for Storm is number 10 Christian WelchProp for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
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2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Trent Loiero2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Andrew Davey
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2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Tom Eisenhuth2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Bryce Cartwright
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Lock for Storm is number 13 Josh KingLock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood
Interchange
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Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Eels is number 14 Luca Moretti
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Interchange for Storm is number 16 Eliesa KatoaInterchange for Eels is number 15 Joe Ofahengaue
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Interchange for Storm is number 17 Tyran WishartInterchange for Eels is number 16 Joey Lussick
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Interchange for Storm is number 20 Tepai MoeroaInterchange for Eels is number 17 Ryan Matterson
Reserves
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Replacement for Storm is number 14 Bronson GarlickReplacement for Eels is number 19 Makahesi Makatoa
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels lead the NRL for tries scored (82) and are second for points scored (475).
- Eels forward J'maine Hopgood is the NRL's leading offloader with 41.
- The Storm have won six of their past seven games in Melbourne.
- The Eels have won four of their past five games against the Storm.
- Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored 20 tries in 27 games in Melbourne.
- Brad Arthur will reach the milestone of 250 games as Parramatta coach.
- The Storm have won three of their past four games against the Eels in Melbourne.
Match: Storm v Eels
Round 22 -
home Team
Storm
4th Position
away Team
Eels
11th Position
Venue: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
