Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 6 clash between The Dolphins and the Melbourne Storm.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
The Dolphins Vs Melbourne Storm
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Date: Friday April 18, 8:00pm (AEST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Max Plath 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Josh Kerr 18. Ray Stone 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Kenny Bromwich 21. Francis Molo 22. Junior Tupou
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Sualauvi Faalogo 3. Jack Howarth 4. Grant Anderson 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Bronson Garlick 18. Joe Chan 19. Kane Bradley 20. Keagan Russell-Smith 21. Stanley Huen 22. Lazarus Vaalepu
Referee: Todd Smith
Bunker: Wyatt Raymond
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
Good Friday evening sees the clash between a Dolphins side trying to continue the resurrection of their 2025 season, which looked in real trouble after a 0-4 start to the season, and they were not playing well at all. Back-to-back wins and great performances against the Gold Coast and Penrith sees them still fourth last, but at least with some momentum. Although, Melbourne won’t make life quite as easy as the Titans and Panthers have over the last two games.
Melbourne as ever are travelling well to start the season with a current record of four wins, a bye and one loss to sit second on the ladder. The Storm are averaging 37 points per game, which includes a 14-8 loss to the Dragons, so the Dolphins will need to be ready in defence. They have proved a readiness over the past two rounds, conceding a total of four tries, but the Storm have such a good record at Suncorp Stadium, and on a Friday and against Queensland teams.
Unsurprisingly after defeating Penrith at the same ground last round, the Dolphins have named an unchanged lineup for this weekend, although they do risk not bringing Ray Stone straight back into the side after suspension, and there’s also the potential of new recruit Francis Molo making his Dolphins debut, although it remains to be seen how some Dolphins fans will take to that new signing. Excitement machine Sua Fa’alogo makes his 2025 season debut from the wing, and Jahrome Hughes is named at halfback, which looked a little unlikely after he left the field injured last weekend. If he doesn’t make it, Tyran Wishart will no doubt be the replacement and no doubt do another excellent job.
This game will feature two of the game’s more exciting fullbacks in the Dolphins’ Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Melbourne’s Ryan Papenhuyzen. Tabuai-Fidow (aka The Hammer) had his best game of the season last weekend against Penrith, not just because of his hat trick of tries, the last a broken play special, but he looked back towards his best after a very slow start to 2025. Papenhuyzen being injury free has been a welcome for the Storm, and he has played a decent part in their 5-1 start to the season with five tries, and as many line breaks, and added goal kicking to his repertoire.
Another key battle between the teams plays out on the edges with the in-form centres. Reigning Centre of the Year from 2024 Herbie Farnworth has been the Dolphins best this season, is second for Tackle Breaks, is third for Post Contact Metres and top 10 for Running Metres. His Dolphins partner Jake Averillo was one of the best in last weekend’s win over Penrith. Melbourne’s pair of Jack Howarth and Grant Anderson may not get the accolades of the Dolphins duo, but they are typical overachieving Melbourne Storm players who will cause the Dolphins trouble all night.
The stats are certainly against a Dolphins win. Not only haven’t they beaten Melbourne in their three matches since joining the NRL, but there are some recent and historical stats that aren’t very friendly either. Good Friday isn’t quite a good day for the Dolphins normally, as they have lost seven of their last eight Friday games and have lost all five games on a Friday at Suncorp Stadium. On the flip side, Melbourne form on a Friday and against Queensland sides is better than most. Going back to 2011, the Storm have won 25 of their last 27 Friday games v Queensland teams, and at Suncorp Stadium over the same period it is 10/11.
So the stats aren’t on the Dolphins side, but they weren’t expected to beat Penrith last weekend either. A win here would add another two competition points they probably weren’t expecting after their 0-4 start to the season, and an unlikely push towards the top eight can continue.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Dolphins by 6 points.
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
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