Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v Melbourne Storm: Round 24 preview

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 31 Aug 2019, 04:32 PM

You can bet Melbourne will be desperate to upstage arch-rivals Manly after losing a golden point thriller back in round 19.

A Daly Cherry-Evans field goal that night proved Manly's finals credentials and handed the Storm a rare loss at AAMI Park.

The Sea Eagles sent an ominous reminder that they're genuine contenders by beating Canberra 18-14 last Sunday to reclaim fourth spot.

Melbourne, meanwhile, are all but assured of winning the minor premiership after reaching a virtually unassailable 38 competition points with a scrappy 24-8 victory over last-placed Gold Coast.

We've seen many fiery clashes between these sides at Lottoland previously - not least the infamous Battle of Brookvale in 2011 - so expect the heat to be turned up again.

Round 24 - Round 24 - Saturday 31 Aug

Full Time

Sea Eagles

Storm

Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Highlights Latest

The Rundown

Team news

Sea Eagles: Brad Parker replaces Brendan Elliot in the centres, while Lloyd Perrett dropped off the extended bench on game day. The loss of back-rower Joel Thompson to a broken arm has been tempered by the return of Curtis Sironen from a hamstring injury. That means Jack Gosiewski keeps his place in the starting line-up. Brad Parker (knee) was omitted from the extended squad on Friday along with Tevita Funa.

Storm: Melbourne are 1-17, with Curtis Scott and Harry Grant dropping off the reserves list. Will Chambers returns after missing last week's win over the Titans. Curtis Scott goes back to the reserves, while Brodie Croft was also named in the reserves. Tino Faasuamaleaui has been promoted to the bench in place of Tui Kamikamica. Brodie Croft and Sandor Earl were the first two men omitted 24 hours before kick-off.

Round 24 - Round 24 - Saturday 31 Aug

Full Time

Sea Eagles

Storm

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jorge Taufua

Winger for Storm is number 2 Suliasi Vunivalu
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Moses Suli

Centre for Storm is number 3 Will Chambers
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 20 Brad Parker

Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben Garrick

Winger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Dylan Walker

Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Forwards

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Apisai Koroisau

Hooker for Storm is number 9 Cameron Smith
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Martin Taupau

Prop for Storm is number 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Jack Gosiewski

2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Curtis Sironen

2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Lock for Storm is number 13 Dale Finucane

Interchange

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Manase Fainu

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Brandon Smith
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Corey Waddell

Interchange for Storm is number 15 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Morgan Boyle

Interchange for Storm is number 16 Max King
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Taniela Paseka

Interchange for Storm is number 17 Tom Eisenhuth

Match Officials

Referee: Ben Cummins
Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:27:23 PM

Key match-up

Addin Fonua-Blake and Marty Taupau have formed a destructive prop partnership for Manly but Melbourne's Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona are arguably the best combination in the NRL. A ferocious tussle up front should ensue.

For the Sea Eagles to win

Moving Melbourne around the park and challenging their defensive structures through second-phase play is the blueprint. Manly popped 22 offloads compared to the Storm's eight last time out and it worked a treat.

For the Storm to win

Maintain the energy and enthusiasm. A first-place finish is near certain and but Melbourne can't afford to look towards the finals yet with Manly ready to swoop and land a psychological blow. Master motivator Craig Bellamy and captain Cameron Smith must get the troops ready for a dogfight.

Brett Kimmorley says

Manly were down to 15 players last week and Tom Trbojevic didn’t really have much of an impact on the match but they still won. Their forwards were great. Taupau, Fonua-Blake, Jake Trbojevic and the two hookers (Koroisau and Fainu) were great – I thought they were the best five players on the field in Canberra. I wouldn’t expect Cameron Munster and Cameron Smith to have below par performances from a technical viewpoint two weeks in a row. Expect a masterclass from one of them, but I don’t know if Melbourne are a bit off confidence at the moment. Sea Eagles by 1

Stat Attack

Manly winger Reuben Garrick has quietly snuck up the top try-scorer's list, his four-pointer last week elevating him to equal-second with 16 tries in his debut season.