THURSDAY, APRIL 4th,2024 AAMI PARK,MELBOURNE
The Storm and Broncos collide in a Thursday night spectacle to kick off the round, with the home team poised to reintegrate numerous key players, buoyed by their recent bye.
Storm’s Key Players Return
Last week, the Storm savored a bye following their unforeseen loss to the Knights the preceding week. They welcome back, Cameron Munster, and Christian Welch for this clash.
Plus Jahrome Hughes is back from suspension, but no sign of Nelson Asofa-Solomona who remains side lined.
Team Lineups
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 Referee Ashley Klein, Touch Judges, Chris Sutton, Wyatt Raymond, Bunker, Gerard Sutton
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
Broncos Prepare for Melbourne Showdown
Reece Walsh, Brendan Piakura, and Payne Haas are all side lined for the blockbuster against Melbourne, with Kevin Walters making just one change following their impressive win over the Cowboys.
Benjamin Te Kura will debut off the bench with Xavier Willison dropping out of the 17.
The Broncos, brilliantly led by halfback Adam Reynolds surprised the Cowboys in the Brisbane rain last week, and come back Corey is on the bench this week.
Insights and Predictions
Storm have won their last 11 games at AAMI Park
Broncos haven’t won at AAMI Park since 2016
Storm have won 14 of the last 15 meetings between the teams
Storm have covered a -7.5 line in their last 13 home wins with Munster & Hughes both playing
Ryan Papenhuyzen has scored six tries in his last three games vs Broncos & crossed in nine of his last 10 night matches at AAMI Park
Deine Mariner has scored a try in his last four away games
Xavier Coates has cored 24 tries in his last 20 games at AAMI Park
Will Warbrick has scored a try in his last five games with the Storm has favourites
Prediction.
I think the Storm at home, and with Munster, Hughes, and Welch back should get the chocolates. This might be close, so be careful punters.
AND WHILE WE ARE AT IT..
Controversy in NRL
Graham Annesley, NRL’s head of elite football competitions, conceded that Joey Manu’s try against the Panthers should not have been disallowed due to an obstruction on Dylan Edwards.
During his weekly briefing, Annesley expressed his belief that there was significant uncertainty regarding Edwards’ capacity to intercept Manu as he encountered Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
Editorial Commentary
Therefore all us gamblers who had money on the Chooks, like me, will be receiving a cheque off the NRL anytime soon. Its no good coming out days later and saying the bunker got it wrong. Stevie Wonder could see they got it wrong. The referee sent it upstairs as a try and Chris Butler in the bunker said no try. What a disgrace.
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