Game Day Guide: Round 1 v Eels
Melbourne Storm are ready to take on the Parramatta Eels in what is set to be a blockbuster season opener at AAMI Park this Thursday night!
KEY INFO
RedZed Storm Zone: 5:00pm
Gates open: 5:15pm
NSW Cup: 5:15pm
Warm up: 7:20pm
NRL Kick off: 8:00pm
Watch live on Channel 9, Fox League and Kayo.
HALF TIME
The blimp is back!
RedZed ‘Dougie’ Drop
Prize: 2 x $1,000 winners
Two lucky participants will be selected to compete in catching the ‘Dougies’ falling from the RedZed blimp.
Each ‘Dougie’ caught is worth $250, with the chance for each contestant to collect up to $1,000.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the action at half-time!
Contestants selected pre game in seats.
POST-MATCH
Stay in your seats post-match for your chance to grab a signed Budget Direct fan footy from one of the players! The men in purple will roam AAMI Park for a period of time post-match to meet and greet our Storm fam.
Follow along with Storm's exclusive content and live coverage on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
TEAM NEWS
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.
Check out the full team taking the field for Round 1:
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi FaalogoFullback for Eels is number 1 Isaiah Iongi
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Winger for Storm is number 2 Will WarbrickWinger for Eels is number 2 Bailey Simonsson
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Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack HowarthCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
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Centre for Storm is number 4 Moses LeoCentre for Eels is number 4 Brian Kelly
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Winger for Storm is number 5 Nick MeaneyWinger 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 Jonah Pezet
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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 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Eels is number 8 J'maine Hopgood
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Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley Smith
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Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
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2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Joe Chan2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Jack Williams
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2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Ativalu Lisati2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga
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Lock for Storm is number 13 Alec MacDonaldLock for Eels is number 13 Jack De Belin
Interchange
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Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran WishartInterchange for Eels is number 14 Dylan Walker
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Interchange for Storm is number 15 Cooper ClarkeInterchange for Eels is number 15 Sam Tuivaiti
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Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tui KamikamicaInterchange for Eels is number 16 Matt Doorey
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Interchange for Storm is number 17 Davvy MoaleInterchange for Eels is number 17 Tallyn Da Silva
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Interchange for Storm is number 18 Preston ConnInterchange for Eels is number 18 Kelma Tuilagi
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Interchange for Storm is number 19 Siulagi Tuimalatu-BrownInterchange for Eels is number 19 Joash Papalii
Reserves
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Reserve for Storm is number 20 Lazarus VaalepuReserve for Eels is number 20 Jordan Samrani
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Reserve for Storm is number 21 Angus HincheyReserve for Eels is number 21 Charlie Guymer
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Reserve for Storm is number 22 Trent ToelauReserve for Eels is number 22 Teancum Brown
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
REDZED FAN ZONE
Head to the brand new RedZed Fan Zone pre-match outside Entrance E on Olympic Boulevard, packed with activities, trading cards and plenty of hype to kick-start 2026.
- RedZed - Player Trading Card Activation
- RedZed - Make Your Own Poster Station
- Pop up Merchandise Tent
- Seating Area
- Live DJs pre-game
- Food Truck
- RedZed Bean Bag Zone
- RedZed Try Cards
BUDGET DIRECT ACTIVATION
Located at the Western Stair well, fans can visit the Spin to Win activation pre-game, where every spin is a winner. Supporters will have the chance to score a range of prizes, including Budget Direct Bolts, mini footies and Storm merchandise.
GRILL'D HYPE TRUCK
Head to the Grill'd Hype Truck to sign up to Mad Bunday and get your free burger if we win!
MAIDENS OF POLYNESIA
Catch the Maidens of Polynesia outside of AAMI Park showcasing the cultures of Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and Cook Islands.
THE INCLUSION PROJECT - SENSORY ROOM
Melbourne Storm has proudly partnered with The Inclusion Project to assist with making our match day experience more accessible for those living with hidden disabilities. Our partnership will see the introduction of a Sensory Room supported by and facilitated by a qualified Occupational Therapist who will be there to support should fans require it when visiting the space.
The Sensory Room can be found at every home game at AAMI Park, located on Level West 1 - Gate 6, Aisle 23.
VENUE INFO
MEMBERSHIP & MERCHANDISE
2026 Memberships will be available for sale as well as a collection of your 2026 member items from our Membership marquees located in the front forecourt.
We've got you sorted! Get the latest Melbourne Storm 2026 range ahead of the season from the Merchandise marquees located in the in bowl Aisle 24 & 4, Melbourne Storm Store, Clubhouse and a pop merch tent in the RedZed zone.
CLUB HOUSE
Melbourne Storm Members are able to scan their digital or physical membership cards to gain access to AAMI Park for this game. Clubhouse members can enter through Gate 4.
Clubhouse Members Lounge will open at 5.15pm and close at 10.30pm.
GETTING TO AND FROM THE GAME
Journey
Make game day easy, be prepared and plan ahead. For more information about getting to and from the game by train, visit ptv.vic.gov.au.
Public Transport
AAMI Park is accessible by train, tram and bus. The stadium is walking distance from Richmond Station and Flinders Street Station.
Stop 7D is outside AAMI Park on the Tram 70 tram line from Flinders Street. If you are coming from the north Tram 45 (North Balwyn) and Tram 75 (Vermont South) will stop adjacent to the MCG.
Drive to The Footy
Parking at Melbourne Park is only available to guests who have pre-booked. Bookings close at midnight the night before the event. You will not be able to drive up without a booking.
If parking is sold out or unavailable, several private and public streetcar parks operate in close proximity to the precinct.
Yarra Park (MCG)
Securing Parking – 121 Exhibition Street
Secure Parking – 300 Flinders Street
Securing Parking – 12-20 Flinders Street
Secure Parking – Grand Hyatt Melbourne
Wilson Parking – 11 Exhibition Street
Wilson Parking – Collins Place
Wilson Parking – 32 Flinders Street
Wilson Parking – 172 Flinders Street
Wilson Parking – Federation Square
ACDC Garage – 114 Flinders Street
On-Street Parking via the Botanical Gardens along the Yarra River
DISRUPTIONS
Rail Disruptions:
- Werribee Line - buses will replace trains on the Werribee line between Newport and Werribee from 8:30pm to last train.
Accessible Parking:
Accessible parking must be pre-booked via Ticketek’s Accessible Bookings Hotline: (03) 9286 1208
We recommend parking is booked in advance to avoid disappointment.
Please note, there are a limited number of accessible parking bays located at John Cain Arena (on Olympic Boulevard).
Taxi & Rideshare
A taxi rank is available next to The Oval on Olympic Boulevard. The pick-up and drop off point for rideshare services, such as Uber, is out the front of John Cain Arena on Olympic Boulevard.
We encourage guests not to order their rideshare service until they have reached the pick-up point to avoid causing congestion along Olympic Boulevard.
