Team Announcement: Round 26 v Roosters

Author: melbournestorm.com.au
Timestamp: Tue 26 Aug 2025, 03:59 PM

Craig Bellamy has named his squad for Friday's clash with the Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park, a special milestone marking his 600th game as senior coach.

Following last week’s win over the Bulldogs, which secured a top two finish, the squad features several changes for Round 26.

Front-rower Stefano Utoikamanu is set to celebrate a milestone of his own, making his 100th NRL appearance, having featured in 21 of 22 games for Storm this season.

Nick Meaney and Xavier Coates are rested for Friday’s clash, with Kane Bradley and Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown named to start on the wings.

Marion Seve and Grant Anderson form the centre pairing, with Ryan Papenhuyzen at fullback.

In the forwards, Bronson Garlick starts for the unavailable Harry Grant at hooker. Alec MacDonald earns a call-up at prop, while Shawn Blore returns to partner Joe Chan at second row.

The interchange bench features Jonah Pezet, Ativalu Lisati, Lazarus Vaalepu, and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

Sua Fa'alogo and Will Warbrick return to the wider squad and are named among the extended reserves, alongside potential debutants Josiah Pahulu and Angus Hinchey, and playmaker Keagan Russell-Smith.

Round 26 - Round 26 - Friday 29 Aug

Full Time

Storm

Roosters

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
Winger for Storm is number 2 Kane Bradley

Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
Centre for Storm is number 3 Marion Seve

Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
Centre for Storm is number 4 Grant Anderson

Centre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia
Winger for Storm is number 20 Will Warbrick

Winger for Roosters is number 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster

Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Sandon Smith
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Tyran Wishart

Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Hugo Savala

Forwards

Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Spencer Leniu
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Bronson Garlick

Hooker for Roosters is number 14 Benaiah Ioelu
Prop for Storm is number 17 Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore

2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Joe Chan

2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Victor Radley
Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero

Lock for Roosters is number 13 Naufahu Whyte

Interchange

Interchange for Storm is number 10 Alec MacDonald

Interchange for Roosters is number 9 Connor Watson
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Jonah Pezet

Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Egan Butcher
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Ativalu Lisati

Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Siua Wong
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Lazarus Vaalepu

Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Blake Steep