Check out the match preview and prediction for the round 25 clash between the Melbourne Storm and The Dolphins.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Melbourne Storm v The Dolphins
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Date: Saturday 24 August 2024, 5:30pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Tyran Wishart 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Sualauvi Faalogo 15. Lazarus Vaalepu 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Marion Seve 19. Kane Bradley 20. Dean Ieremia 21. Chris Lewis 22. Christian Welch
Players cut from final squad:
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Max Plath 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich 14. Oryn Keeley 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Sean O’Sullivan 18. Mason Teague 19. Tesi Niu 20. Trai Fuller 21. Kurt Donoghoe 22. Josh Kerr
Players cut from final squad:
Referee: Kalvin Jeffs
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
Saturday’s game between the Storm and Dolphins at AAMI Park features two teams going in different directions. When these teams met earlier in the season, they were both in the top four and – despite losing – it was one of the best performances from the Dolphins. Since then, Melbourne have won six of seven games, including a win at Penrith last weekend that probably seals another minor premiership. Over the same period the Dolphins have dropped from fourth to ninth, winning just of seven games, which is form only better than the bottom two teams.
Despite the run of bad results, a lot of the Dolphins games have been close losses to good sides, but with the finals on the line against the Bulldogs last round they were quite disappointing. With the points difference advantage to the Dragons of 107 points, the Dolphins are not out of the race just yet, but a big loss here and a Dragons win elsewhere will almost be enough to call off their finals hunt. An upset win puts them right back in it.
What is the chance of an upset? It seems unlikely as Melbourne are red-hot at the moment, losing just one game in the last 12 rounds and have another week under the belt of Cameron Munster after a long layoff because of injury. But the Dolphins have been quite good against the top four sides this season. In the four games they have played against the current top four the record is W1 L3, and the three losses combined only combine to 14 points – the one win was over Cronulla at Shark Park, so maybe the rise in the ladder position of their opponent will see a lift in performance.
An interesting change to the team list is Tyran Wishart, who filled in so admirably for Munster at five-eighth, named on the wing. Wishart’s try against Penrith last week ended up proving the difference so he is an unlikely game-breaker in waiting.
One key battle should also be the most entertaining between the fullbacks. Ryan Papenhuyzen is starting to hit his stride at the right time of the year, after another return from injury, but we’re yet to see one of those show-stealing games he is capable of. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow showed some glimpses last weekend, including the thrilling chase of a try-bound Josh Addo-Carr, but the Dolphins will need a big game from him to provide some winning spark.
Another interesting battle is between two halfbacks who have been in top form this season. One is the experienced Jahrome Hughes, who is having one of his best seasons. The other is Isaiya Katoa, who looks like he has been playing in the NRL for just as long, but has impressed greatly in only his second season. In the forward pack, the attention will be on the ex-Storm players returning to Melbourne for the first time since signing, but the most important forward for the Dolphins is Tevita Pangai. If he is on form they are a chance against a Storm pack that is so reliable.
The stats are against the Dolphins, one in particular will be eye-watering for them. Melbourne have won 15 games in a row at AAMI Park against Queensland teams. Another stat going against the side is through their coach Wayne Bennett. His overall H2H win rate over Craig Bellamy is just 24%, but worse still is Bennett has lost 12 games in a row against the Melbourne coach. One more stat not on the Dolphins’ side is their second half form. Since round 14 the Dolphins haven’t won a second half, while Melbourne have won seven of 10. It all looks lopsided to the home team, but the Dolphins probably need the win more.
Head-to-head stats can be found at Number Crunch Stats.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
Melbourne by 16 points.
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