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Storm v Roosters: Welch, NAS ruled out; Sua'ali'i, Radley return

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The Roosters are out to keep their minor premiership hopes alive when they travel south to face the Storm on Saturday night. 

Melbourne are currently four points clear of the second-placed Panthers, with the Tricolours two points further back in third. 

The Storm claimed a gritty victory over the Roosters when the two sides faced off in Sydney in Round 7, Xavier Coates the difference as they prevailed 18-12. 

Trent Robinson's men have found their groove with ball in hand since that loss and they now boast the most potent attack in the competition. 

The Roosters won four matches in a row before last weekend's bye, scoring 136 points in the process. 

The trip to Melbourne will pose a new challenge, with the Storm losing just one game at home this season and riding a five-game winning streak of their own. Like the Roosters, they enjoyed a week off in Round 19. 

Coach Craig Bellamy hopes to welcome back Harry Grant after Wednesday night's State of Origin decider while Nick Meaney is back from a calf injury. 

The Roosters are also hoping their Origin players get through the game smoothly, with Lindsay Collins, Spencer Leniu, Connor Watson and Angus Crichton featuring in the match at Suncorp Stadium.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Storm v Roosters

Team News

Storm: Prop Christian Welch dropped out on Saturday due to a back complaint. Lazarus Vaalepu has been added to the bench and will make his NRL debut. The loss of Welch came on top of Nelson Asofa-Solomona being ruled out on Friday, which saw Joe Chan elevated to the bench. Harry Grant is set to back up after Wednesday's Origin decider. The hooker's load has been managed as he's nursed a sternum injury and he has not played for the Storm since Round 15. Centre Nick Meaney is also set to return from a calf injury. Chris Lewis is 18th man.

Roosters: A late change an hour before kick-off with Naufahu Whyte to start the game and Maroons prop Lindsay Collins going to the bench. Centre Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i will make his return from a four-game suspension for a high tackle in the Origin opener. Enforcer Victor Radley is also back from a concussion while Origin reps Angus Crichton, Spencer Leniu and Connor Watson will all back up. Ethan King is 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
    Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
  • Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
    Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
  • Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth
    Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i
  • Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
    Centre for Roosters is number 4 Sitili Tupouniua
  • Winger for Storm is number 5 Grant Anderson
    Winger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic Young
  • Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Tyran Wishart
    Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
  • Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
    Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker

Forwards

  • Prop for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica
    Prop for Roosters is number 8 Terrell May
  • Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
    Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith
  • Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh King
    Prop for Roosters is number 17 Naufahu Whyte
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Victor Radley
  • Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
    Lock for Roosters is number 13 Connor Watson

Interchange

  • Interchange for Storm is number 14 Sualauvi Faalogo
    Interchange for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
  • Interchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonald
    Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Sandon Smith
  • Interchange for Storm is number 19 Joe Chan
    Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Spencer Leniu
  • Interchange for Storm is number 22 Lazarus Vaalepu
    Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher

Reserves

  • Replacement for Storm is number 21 Chris Lewis
    Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Ethan King

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Storm have won nine of their past 10 games against the Roosters.
  • The Roosters have scored 136 points in their past four games.
  • The Storm have won seven from eight at AAMI Park this season.
  • Roosters winger Dominic Young has scored 11 tries in his past nine games.
  • Storm five-eighth Tyran Wishart has scored four tries in his past five games.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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