After no home games in almost a year, the Storm host their second AAMI Park clash in a fortnight as they host a Eels side stinging from their last-gasp loss at Shark Park in round two.
The Storm were very nearly nursing a heartbreaking late loss of their own after giving up a 14-0 lead against Souths last week, only for Ryan Papenhuyzen to step up with a golden point field goal to celebrate coach Craig Bellamy's 500th NRL game with a win.
It leaves them as just one of four unbeaten teams through two rounds, with Parramatta just missing a chance to join them.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Storm v Eels
The Rundown
Team news
Storm: Xavier Coates has been replaced on the wing by Nick Meaney in a late change. The loss of Coates offsets the inclusion of Brandon Smith after he returned early from a broken hand to fill the hooking role left vacant by Harry Grant (COVID protocols). Tyran Wishart (COVID protocols) ruled out on Wednesday. Chris Lewis has been promoted to the bench. Tyson Smoothy is 18th man.
Eels: Nathan Brown has been promoted to the starting side at lock with Oregon Kaufusi going back to the bench. Wiremu Greig comes onto the interchange in place of Jake Arthur, who underwent an appendectomy and will be sidelined for at least the next three weeks.
No changes for the Eels before kick off.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan PapenhuyzenFullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
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Winger for Storm is number 2 Dean IeremiaWinger for Eels is number 2 Waqa Blake
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Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis SmithCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
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Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin OlamCentre for Eels is number 4 Tom Opacic
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Winger for Storm is number 19 Nick MeaneyWinger for Eels is number 5 Bailey Simonsson
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Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
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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 Jesse BromwichProp for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
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Hooker for Storm is number 23 Brandon SmithHooker for Eels is number 9 Reed Mahoney
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Prop for Storm is number 10 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaProp for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
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2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
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2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Isaiah Papali'i
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Lock for Storm is number 13 Josh KingLock for Eels is number 13 Nathan Brown
Interchange
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Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Eels is number 14 Makahesi Makatoa
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Interchange for Storm is number 16 Trent LoieroInterchange for Eels is number 15 Wiremu Greig
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Interchange for Storm is number 17 Tepai MoeroaInterchange for Eels is number 16 Ray Stone
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Interchange for Storm is number 18 Chris LewisInterchange for Eels is number 17 Oregon Kaufusi
Reserves
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Replacement for Storm is number 25 Tyson SmoothyReplacement for Eels is number 18 Bryce Cartwright
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Key match-up
Jesse Bromwich v Junior Paulo: In a mouth-watering showdown featuring five-star match-ups across the park, the battle for supremacy in the middle between two of the best big men in the NRL promises to be a beauty. Bromwich played his first game of the season against Souths and got through 63 minutes of game time, running for 94 metres, delivering three offloads and making 36 tackles. Paulo is relishing in the added responsibility of co-captaining the Eels and has averaged 129 metres across the first two rounds.
Stat attack
Eels hooker Reed Mahoney has touched the ball more times than any other player through two rounds, with his 234 receipts two ahead of Panthers hooker Api Koroisau.
