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Match Preview

Storm v Bulldogs: Coates ruled out; Okunbor promoted

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pan66.com
Timestamp

After losing three of their last four games at AAMI Park in 2022 the Storm will be keen to reinstate its reputation as a fortress in 2023.

The Storm's last home game was an elimination final loss to the Raiders, who had also knocked them off in round 18, the day electric fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen suffered the knee injury that looks set to sideline him for at least another six weeks.

Even without their superstar No.1 the Storm still boast an array of match-winners in Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes, all of whom came to the fore in the round one triumph against Parramatta.

The 16-12 victory in golden point made it 20 opening round wins on the trot for Craig Bellamy, who has not lost a round one game since he took the helm in 2003.

Now the Storm must maintain the rage against a Bulldogs team sure to be smarting after a poor first-up showing at 4 Pines Park against Manly.

Big-name recruits Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney weren't able to impact the match and the absence of Tevita Pangai jnr and Luke Thompson to injury left Cameron Ciraldo's side undermanned up front.

The Bulldogs have been outscored 137-28 in their past three clashes against Melbourne and the fact they could muster only one try in the loss to Manly must be a concern ahead of Saturday night's clash.

Team News

Storm: A late change an hour before kick-off with Kane Bradley joining the bench and Aaron Pene dropping back to 18th man. Xavier Coates has succumbed to a shoulder injury and is out with Grant Anderson replacing him on the wing. The loss of Cameron Munster to a finger injury sees Tyran Wishart take over at five-eighth. 

Bulldogs: Jayden Okunbor has been added to the bench in jersey No.23 an hour before kick-off and Jacob Preston has moved into the starting side. Fa'amanu Brown goes back to the bench and rookie Jayden Tanner to 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
    Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Hayze Perham
  • Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
  • Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Jake Averillo
  • Centre for Storm is number 4 Young Tonumaipea
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Paul Alamoti
  • Winger for Storm is number 18 Grant Anderson
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
  • Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Tyran Wishart
    Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
  • Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
    Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle Flanagan

Forwards

  • Prop for Storm is number 8 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
  • Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
    Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
  • Prop for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Ryan Sutton
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Trent Loiero
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Raymond Faitala-Mariner 
  • Lock for Storm is number 13 Josh King
    Lock for Bulldogs is number 17 Jacob Preston

Interchange

  • Interchange for Storm is number 14 Bronson Garlick
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 13 Fa'amanu Brown
  • Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonald
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Corey Waddell
  • Interchange for Storm is number 17 Jordan Grant
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Franklin Pele
  • Interchange for Storm is number 21 Kane Bradley
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 23 Jayden Okunbor

Reserves

  • Replacement for Storm is number 16 Aaron Pene
    Replacement for Bulldogs is number 14 Jayden Tanner

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Butler
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Storm have won their past seven games against the Bulldogs.
  • The Bulldogs have not won at AAMI Park since Round 6, 2016 (18-12).
  • The Bulldogs won only two of their 12 away games in 2022.
  • The Storm have won their opening two games five times in the past seven seasons.
  • Storm duo Harry Grant and Josh King made 114 tackles between them in the golden point win over the Eels. Grant's 59 tackles was the highest tally by any player in Round 1.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.