Dylan Jhugroo previews a cracking Round 16 clash between the Melbourne Storm and the Manly Sea Eagles.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Melbourne Storm Vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Date: Saturday June 24, 7:35pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tom Eisenhuth 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 13. Josh King 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Tariq Sims 16. Aaron Pene 17. Tyran Wishart 18. Kane Bradley 19. Chris Lewis 20. George Jennings 21. Alec MacDonald 22. Jonah Pezet 23. Sualauvi Faalogo
Sea Eagles: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Toafofoa Sipley 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ethan Bullemor 13. Sean Keppie 14. Karl Lawton 15. Josh Aloiai 16. Aaron Woods 17. Ben Condon 18. Samuela Fainu 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Morgan Harper 21. Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega 22. Tom Trbojevic
Referee: Todd Smith
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
Every time the Storm and the Sea Eagles line up against each other, it ends up being a game that stands out over the course of a season. The reason is simple: these two sides have history. Whether it be the 2007 and 2008 Grand Finals, or the infamous ‘Battle of Brookie’, there’s a magic in these contests that refuses to go away.
Melbourne welcome back a host of stars this week, with Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Xavier Coates all named to back up from Queensland duty. Captain Christian Welch and star centre Justin Olam also make their returns to the side who beat the Wests Tigers 28-6 last week in Campbelltown. With the home advantage and the top of the table within reach, this is a side who could prove very tough to stop on Saturday night.
On the other side of the park is a Manly side who were comprehensively beaten 34-4 last week by Parramatta, in a game that should’ve been much closer considering the sides on paper. Halfback Daly Cherry-Evans crucially makes his return to the squad, but New South Wales star Tom Trbojevic will be ruled out after injuring his pec in New South Wales loss to Queensland. Anthony Seibold will be looking for more in the effort areas this week, looking to his side to prove that they can go toe-to-toe with the best in the league.
These two sides met earlier in the season in Round 7 at Brookvale Oval, with Manly coming away with a 18-8 victory on the night. But that win won’t count for anything when they meet again on Saturday night, and it’s important that the Manly players keep it out of their minds.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Melbourne 7, Manly 3.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Melbourne by 14 points
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