SUNDAY JUNE 9th 2024 AAMI PARK, MELBOURNE
- Storm Look to Bounce Back Against Knights at AAMI Park
- Disappointment for Knights: Out of Top Eight After Bulldogs Defeat
- Injury Concerns for Storm: Papenhuyzen Nearing Return
- Forced Change for Storm: Fa’alogo Retains Position
- Knights Seek Redemption: O’Brien Calls for Creativity
- Storm and Knights Lineups: Key Changes Revealed
- Recent Record: Storm Dominance in Melbourne vs. Knights
- Coates’ Home Advantage: Storm Winger’s Impressive Track Record
- Storm Favourited for Victory at Home
- Line-ups
- Recent Records and Player Stats
- Prediction
Storm Look to Bounce Back Against Knights at AAMI Park
Following a narrow defeat at 4 Pines Park in round 12, the Melbourne Storm aim to rebound as they head back to AAMI Park to face the Newcastle Knights.
Disappointment for Knights: Out of Top Eight After Bulldogs Defeat
As they have at times this season, the Storm let their opponents get out to a lead and tried to run them down. However, it wasn’t meant to be this time, as Manly secured the much-needed competition points with a 26-20 victory.
Injury Concerns for Storm: Papenhuyzen Nearing Return
It will be up to Jarome Hughes to lead his side around and let Wishart do what he needs to do to help the team. Even though the Knights are below them on the ladder, they must not try and chase down a score again.
Forced Change for Storm: Fa’alogo Retains Position
The Storm climbed to the top of the ladder after earning two points from a bye, and they will aim to maintain their position when they host the Knights on Sunday.
Knights Seek Redemption: O’Brien Calls for Creativity
After a tough away trip to Manly in Round 12, where they lost 26-20 to the Sea Eagles, Melbourne is eager to return to the winner’s circle with away matches against the Warriors and Dolphins on the horizon.
Storm and Knights Lineups: Key Changes Revealed
Star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is nearing a return from an ankle injury, but Sua Fa’alogo is expected to keep the position this weekend as the club plans to take a cautious approach with Papenhuyzen.
Recent Record: Storm Dominance in Melbourne vs. Knights
The Knights, meanwhile, will be deeply disappointed to have dropped out of the top eight after a 32-2 home defeat to the Bulldogs on Friday.
Coates’ Home Advantage: Storm Winger’s Impressive Track Record
With coach Adam O’Brien attributing the poor performance to ‘a lack of creativity,’ halves pairing Jack Cogger and Jackson Hastings will be looking to make a statement at AAMI Park on Sunday.
Storm Favourited for Victory at Home
Harry Grant and Xavier Coates are expected to play, with Craig Bellamy naming a similar line-up to the one from Round 13. Due to Will Warbrick’s groin injury, there is a forced change on the wing: Grant Anderson moves from the bench to the wing, and Bronson Garlick comes in on the interchange to provide cover at hooker.
For the Knights, Adam O’Brien has opted not to make any changes on the back of a bleak 32-2 defeat to the Bulldogs in Round 13, with the same 17 named to take on the Storm. Prop Daniel Saifiti has been named to play despite suffering a knee injury against the Bulldogs. As has become customary in recent weeks, Tyson Frizell will come off the bench, with Dylan Lucas and Kai Pearce-Paul as the preferred starters.
Line-ups
Storm.
1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. Grant Anderson 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Christian Welch 9. Harry Grant 10. Tui Kamikamica 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Trent Loiero 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Joe Chan 19. Jack Howarth 20. Young Tonumaipea 21. Kane Bradley 22. Dean Ieremia
Knights
1. David Armstrong 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Krystian Mapapalangi 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Kai Pearce-Paul 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Tyson Frizell 17. Brodie Jones 18. Thomas Cant 19. Mathew Croker 20. Will Pryce 21. Jack Hetherington 22. Fletcher Sharpe
Referee, Adam Gee, Touch Judges, Phil Henderson, Belinda Sharpe, Bunker, Ashley Klein
Recent Records and Player Stats
The Storm have won 15 of their past 17 games in Melbourne.
The Knights have won their last two clashes with the Storm.
Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored 28 tries in 23 games at AAMI Park.
The Knights have not won in Melbourne since 2015.
Second-rower Eliesa Katoa has scored in three consecutive games for the Storm.
Prediction
The Storm should be to good at home
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