Josh Mercer previews the clash between the Melbourne Storm and the Wests Tigers. Here is what we have to look forward to.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Melbourne Storm Vs Wests Tigers
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Date: Friday, March 24, 6:00 pm (local)
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. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tariq Sims 17. Bronson Garlick 18. Tom Eisenhuth 19. Grant Anderson 20. Aaron Pene 21. Sualauvi Faalogo 22. Jonah Pezet
Tigers: 1. Adam Doueihi 2. Charlie Staines 3. Brent Naden 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Junior Tupou 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Daine Laurie 15. Alex Twal 16. Shawn Blore 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Starford To’a 19. Joe Ofahengaue 20. Justin Matamua 21. David Nofoaluma 22. Jake Simpkin
Referee: Ben Cummins
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Storm were lucky to get away with a four-point loss against the Titans. They went into the halftime break leading by six points, and let in the first try after the break with a simple error. They were playing catch-up footy from there, with the Titans looking good. At times the Storm lacked direction and made simple errors.
Their leader Cameron Munster returns from that gruesome finger injury and will be all the better for it. Jahrome Hughes had been named, but was unsuccessful at the judiciary (for a late hit on Tanah Boyd) and will miss two games.
The Bulldogs looked set to run up a cricket score against the Tigers on Sunday – things just seemed to click in the first half for them. Then Tim Sheens put Brendon Wakeham on and the Tigers looked like they had come to life.
After Wakeham’s success on the field, he was named at five-eighth, with Adam Doueihi moving to fullback, and Daine Laurie to the interchange bench. In another change, Charlie Staines has moved to the wing, and David Nofoaluma has moved to the reserves.
For Tigers fans, they may not have beaten the Bulldogs, but that spirited fightback supplies some glimmer of hope. This game allows them to build on that and give Storm fans more misery.
Munster may be back, but Hughes’ absence is an issue. That may make it harder for them to win, but there is enough firepower to beat the Tigers on Friday.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Melbourne Storm 7, Wests Tigers 3
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Storm by 16 points.
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