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Storm v Dolphins: Welch returns; Nicholls back on deck

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pan66.com
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The Dolphins dropped out of the top eight last round with a loss against the Bulldogs and face a tough challenge to climb back into finals contention with a win against the Storm.

Melbourne are riding high after taking down the Panthers last round to have one hand on firmly on the minor premiership - but they will not be wanting to suffer any slip ups before playing finals footy.

Four games back from being sidelined with a groin injury, Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster seems to be back to his best, with 146 metres, a try assist and a line break assist in the win.

For the Dolphins, the equation is simple and they will be focusing on winning their remaining three games after being bested by the Bulldogs in Bundaberg. 

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Once again, they showed some good signs, but once again, their poor second-half performance again let them down.

In more positive news, they will welcome back experienced forward Mark Nicholls from concussion protocols for this clash.

Team News

Storm: Christian Welch will make his return from the bench while Sua Faalogo has been promoted to start on the wing in two late changes when the teams were finalised 60 minutes before kick-off. The versatile Tyran Wishart had been named on the wing in place of Grant Anderson, who has entered the concussion protocols, but he will now shift to the bench, alongside Welch, who has been sidelined since Round 18 with back and calf issues.

Dolphins: There was just the one change to the mid-week team with prop Mark Nicholls (concussion protocols) back on deck and Lachlan Hubner the man to make way. A late change on Friday afternoon sees Josh Kerr come in for Tevita Pangai junior who was unable to overcome a hamstring issue suffered late in the game against the Bulldogs. Kerr will join the bench, with Ray Stone to start in the frontrow. Mason Teague is 18th man. Jesse Bromwich will play his 337th NRL game and join the top 10 most capped players in the history of the premiership.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
    Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 
  • Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
    Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
  • Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth
    Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo
  • Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
    Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
  • Winger for Storm is number 14 Sualauvi Faalogo
    Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack Bostock
  • Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
    Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
  • Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
    Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa

Forwards

  • Prop for Storm is number 8 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
    Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
  • Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
    Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Max Plath
  • Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh King
    Prop for Dolphins is number 16 Ray Stone
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
    2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
    2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Connelly Lemuelu
  • Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
    Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Kenneath Bromwich

Interchange

  • Interchange for Storm is number 5 Tyran Wishart
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Oryn Keeley
  • Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tui Kamikamica
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Mark Nicholls
  • Interchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonald
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Sean O'Sullivan
  • Interchange for Storm is number 22 Christian Welch
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 22 Josh Kerr

Reserves

  • Replacement for Storm is number 19 Kane Bradley
    Replacement for Dolphins is number 18 Mason Teague

Match Officials

  • Referee: Gerard Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Storm have won 17 of their past 19 games at AAMI Park.
  • Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako has scored 24 points in two games against the Storm.
  • Storm winger Grant Anderson has been a tryscorer in six consecutive games.
  • Dolphins captain Jesse Bromwich will join the top 10 for most premiership appearances with 337.
  • Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona will play his 200th NRL game.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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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.