Team Announcement: Round 1 v Eels

Author: melbournestorm.com.au
Timestamp: Tue 3 Mar 2026, 03:58 PM

Craig Bellamy has named his Melbourne Storm squad for Thursday’s blockbuster season opener against the Parramatta Eels at AAMI Park.

Bellamy’s first team for 2026 features an exciting mix of experienced Storm players and fresh faces, with Victorian product Sua Fa’alogo earning his start at fullback, lining up in the No.1 jersey after an impressive pre-season.

Fa’alogo is joined in the back three by wingers Will Warbrick and Nick Meaney, with Jack Howarth and Moses Leo named in the centres.

Vice-captains Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes steer the side from the halves, with skipper Harry Grant at hooker.

The forward pack features power in the front-row with Stefano Utoikamanu and Josh King, while Joe Chan and Ativalu Lisati earn their starting spots on the edges, alongside Alec MacDonald at lock.

The bench features two exciting prospects in Cooper Clarke (front-rower) and Preston Conn (second-rower), both in line to make their Storm and NRL debuts.

The pair impressed throughout pre-season after starring in Storm’s 2025 premiership-winning Jersey Flegg campaign, with Conn crowned NSWRL Jersey Flegg Cup Player of the Year and Clarke named Storm U19 Player of the Year.

New signing Davvy Moale has also been named for his Storm debut after joining from South Sydney in the off-season.

Lazarus Vaalepu, Angus Hinchey and Trent Toelau are named the extended reserves.

Jack Hetherington, Shawn Blore and Trent Loiero are unavailable for Round 1 due to suspension.

Tickets for Thursday’s game are available here.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Thursday 5 Mar

Full Time

Storm

Eels

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi Faalogo

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Isaiah Iongi
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick

Winger for Eels is number 2 Bailey Simonsson
Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth

Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
Centre for Storm is number 4 Moses Leo

Centre for Eels is number 4 Brian Kelly
Winger for Storm is number 5 Nick Meaney

Winger for Eels is number 5 Sean Russell
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster

Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Jonah Pezet
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Forwards

Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu

Prop for Eels is number 8 J'maine Hopgood
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant

Hooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley Smith
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh King

Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Joe Chan

2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Jack Williams
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Ativalu Lisati

2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga
Lock for Storm is number 13 Alec MacDonald

Lock for Eels is number 13 Jack De Belin

Interchange

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Dylan Walker
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Cooper Clarke

Interchange for Eels is number 16 Matt Doorey
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tui Kamikamica

Interchange for Eels is number 17 Tallyn Da Silva
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Davvy Moale

Interchange for Eels is number 19 Joash Papalii

Reserves

Replacement for Storm is number 18 Preston Conn
Reserve for Storm is number 19 Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown

Reserve for Eels is number 15 Sam Tuivaiti
Reserve for Eels is number 18 Kelma Tuilagi