Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 5 clash between the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the Melbourne Storm.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Vs Melbourne Storm
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Date: Sunday April 6, 4:05pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Sea Eagles: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Clayton Faulalo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Nathan Brown 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Aaron Schoupp 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Dean Matterson 21. Caleb Navale 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Grant Anderson 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Lazarus Vaalepu 18. Joe Chan 19. Kane Bradley 20. Sualauvi Faalogo 21. Moses Leo 22. Jahrome Hughes
Referee: Grant Atkins
Bunker: Kasey Badger
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
Rugby league is a game with a history full of storied rivalries and one of the best modern examples belongs to the Sea Eagles and Storm. From the 2008 Grand Final to the NRL’s very own version of “Malice at the Palace” in 2011 (the Battle of Brookvale), there is certainly no love lost between these two sides and we get to see yet another instalment of this fierce rivalry when these two collide on Sunday afternoon.
Manly come into this clash with a 3-1 record, having only lost to a high-flying Warriors side so far this season, whereas the Storm are off to a 2-1 start with last week’s defeat their first for the year and having had a bye in round 2.
Manly have come under fire recently due to the contract situation regarding their captain DCE, but there was little sign of this distraction on the field as they dispatched of a lowly Eels outfit. On the other side, Melbourne felt the sting of defeat last start against the Dragons; but you can’t keep a Craig Bellamy-coached side down for long and the master coach will be looking for a much improved effort when they travel to Brookvale.
Unfortunately for Manly, fullback Tom Trbojevic is out for up to four weeks with an MCL injury, but luckily they have a ready-made replacement waiting in the wings in Tongan fullback Lehi Hopoate. The 20-year-old played a pivotal role for Tonga in the Pacific Championships last year and will provide Manly with some strong running out of the backfield and some elite support play to go along with it as he brings his own flair to the Manly number one jersey.
Melbourne has the benefit of the potential return of last year’s Dally M winner Jahrome Hughes, with the halfback being named on the extended bench, and it will prove a huge confidence boost if he is fit to take the field on Sunday to complete the most dangerous spine in club football. But make no mistake, even without Hughes, this Storm side is not to be underestimated as Cam Munster, Harry Grant, and Ryan Papenhuyzen are more than capable of leading this side around the park.
The battle between backrowers Eli Katoa and Haumole Olakau’atu on the edges will be worth the price of admission alone. They are both some of the best hole runners in the comp and will be causing headaches for their opposite number from the opening whistle. Luke Brooks and Munster will both be having nightmares about having to stop these rampaging monsters close to the tryline.
In team list news, other than the replacement of Tom Trbojevic, Manly have also had to replace Josh Aloiai by promoting Nathan Brown to the starting side, while Toafofoa Sipley returns on the bench; while for Melbourne, Lazarus Vaalepu comes onto the bench for Marion Seve. Melbourne have won seven of their last 10 matches against Manly. The sides split last year’s clashes: Manly won 26-20 in round 12 and Melbourne won 24-6 in round 17.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Storm by 6 points.
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
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