Check out the match preview and prediction for the Round 5 clash between the Storm and Broncos.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Melbourne Storm Vs Brisbane Broncos
Venue: AAMI Park
Date: Thursday April 4, 20:00
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2.William Warbrick, 3. Reimis Smith, 4. Nick Meaney, 5. Xavier Coates, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Tui Kamikamica, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Josh King, 11. Shawn Blore, 12. Eliesa Katoa, 13. Trent Loiero, 14. Tyran Wishart, 15. Christian Welch, 16. Tepai Moeroa, 17. Alec MacDonald, 18. Chris Lewis, 19. Jack Howarth, 20. Marion Seve, 21. Jonah Pezet, 22. Aaron Pene
Broncos: 1. Tristan Sailor, 2.Jesse Arthars, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Selwyn Cobbo, 5. Deine Mariner, 6. Ezra Mam, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Corey Jensen, 9. Billy Walters, 10. Fletcher Baker, 11. Jaiyden Hunt, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Patrick Carrigan, 14. Tyson Smoothy, 15. Benjamin Te Kura, 16. Kobe Hetherington, 17. Corey Oates, 18. Martin Taupau, 19. Jock Madden, 20. Delouise Hoeter, 21. Jordan Pereira, 22. Blake Mozer
Referee: Ashley Klein
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
After a demolition of the Cowboys at a wet Suncorp Stadium last week, the Broncos now face a Storm side coming off a bye who will have their best spine available for the first time this season.
Cameron Munster returns from a groin injury in a massive boost for Melbourne, while Jahrome Hughes is back after missing Round 3 due to suspension. Christian Welch has also been named on the bench, overcoming a concussion. Tyran Wishart goes to the bench with Chris Lewis, Jonah Pezet and Kane Bradley dropping out of the top 17.
There is just one change for the Broncos, with Xavier Willison suffering a head knock at training, forcing him out of the side. That brings young giant Ben Te Kura who will make his NRL debut off the bench.
The return of Adam Reynolds proved the spark the Broncos needed in an impressive victory over their Queensland rivals a week ago, while Tristan Sailor showed he deserves to be a regular first grader in a dominant performance.
A win against the Storm would give the Broncos their first back-to-back win of the season as they look to establish themselves in the top eight, but it won’t come easy against a Storm side that will be filled with confidence with Munster returning.
Brisbane haven’t won at AAMI Park since 2016 and the Storm have won 14 of the past 15 clashes between the two sides, so history isn’t in the Broncos’ favour.
At home, with their first-choice spine, the Storm should be too strong.
Head-to-head stats can be found at Round 5 Number Crunch.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Storm by 4 points.
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