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Match Preview

Storm v Dragons: NAS, Munster to start; Sloan back in business

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The Melbourne Storm are out to solidify their place atop the NRL ladder as they host a desperate Dragons outfit on Saturday night. 

The Storm currently sit four points clear of Penrith in their bid for a first minor premiership since 2021 and a win on Saturday will take them one step closer to the J.J. Giltinan Shield. 

Melbourne were below their best last weekend, however that didn't stop them from rolling to a comfortable 32-14 win over Parramatta. 

Five-eighth Cameron Munster made a successful return from a groin injury and is looking to take another step forward on Saturday. 

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The Dragons are chasing an immediate rebound after a heavy defeat to the Panthers last Sunday afternoon as they look to keep their finals hopes alive. 

The loss saw St George Illawarra fall to 10th on the table, however they remain level on points with the eighth-placed Dolphins.

Fullback Tyrell Sloan returns to the NRL side after being dropped to NSW Cup last weekend. The youngster's replacement Mathew Feagai lasted just 20 minutes on Sunday before he left the match with a head knock.

Team News

Storm: One day out from the game, coach Craig Bellamy has shuffled his forwards with Tui Kamikamica ruled out with groin soreness. Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been named to start in his place, with Tepai Moeroa moving onto the bench. Dean Ieremia and Tristan Powell drop out of the squad. Earlier in the week, Cameron Munster was named in the starting side after returning from injury last week via the bench with Tyran Wishart shifting to the interchange. In the 24-hour update, Sua Faalogo is 18th player and Chris Lewis is 19th. No further changes on Saturday afternoon, with Faalogo remaining in the squad as 18th man. 

Dragons: Tyrell Sloan is back in the No.1 jersey after playing NSW Cup last week with the man who took his place, Mat Feagai, sidelined after a head knock. Toby Couchman's ban for a crusher tackle brings his brother Ryan onto the bench while Blake Lawrie also been added to the interchange. Ben Murdoch-Masila has been sidelined by a foot injury. One day out from the game, there no changes to the team, with Jack Bird, Mikaele Ravalawa and Connor Muhleisen dropping off the extended bench with Lyhkan King-Togia named in the No.18 jersey. Shane Flanagan has made a late reshuffle to his forward pack, with Lawrie and Hame Sele promoted to the starting side, and Francis Molo and Jack de Belin moving to the bench. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
    Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
  • Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
    Winger for Dragons is number 2 Zac Lomax
  • Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth
    Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
  • Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
    Centre for Dragons is number 4 Max Feagai
  • Winger for Storm is number 5 Grant Anderson
    Winger for Dragons is number 5 Christian Tuipulotu
  • Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
    Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle Flanagan
  • Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
    Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Forwards

  • Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh King
    Prop for Dragons is number 14 Hame Sele
  • Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
    Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle
  • Prop for Storm is number 16 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
    Prop for Dragons is number 17 Blake Lawrie
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A
  • Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
    Lock for Dragons is number 13 Tom Eisenhuth

Interchange

  • Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
    Interchange for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
  • Interchange for Storm is number 15 Lazarus Vaalepu
    Interchange for Dragons is number 10 Jack De Belin
  • Interchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonald
    Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Raymond Faitala-Mariner  
  • Interchange for Storm is number 22 Tepai Moeroa
    Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Ryan Couchman

Reserves

  • Replacement for Storm is number 20 Sualauvi Faalogo
    Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Lyhkan  King-Togia

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Storm have won five of their past six games against St George Illawarra.
  • The Dragons have not won in Melbourne since 1999.
  • The Storm have won 17 of their past 18 games at AAMI Park.
  • Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu has scored six tries in his past four games.
  • Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes has scored a try in all six games he has played against the Dragons.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services,

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