SATURDAY, JULY 6th, 2024 LEICHARDT OVAL,SYDNEY
Return to Form: Storm Aim to Strengthen NRL Lead at Leichhardt Oval
The Melbourne Storm aim to strengthen their position at the top of the NRL ladder as they head to Sydney to take on the Wests Tigers.
Bellamy’s Squad Eyes Precision after Raiders Victory
Craig Bellamy’s squad secured their fourth consecutive victory with a 16-6 triumph over the Canberra Raiders last Saturday night.
Despite being satisfied with the win, the Storm are focused on delivering a more precise attacking performance after missing several scoring opportunities last weekend.
Tigers Face Uphill Battle at Home After Roosters’ Rout
That could spell trouble for the Wests Tigers, who conceded 40 points in their Round 17 loss to the Sydney Roosters.
The defeat ended their two-game winning streak and dropped them to the bottom of the ladder.
Bateman Starts in Second Row for Tigers
However, Benji Marshall’s team has the advantage of returning home this weekend and will aim to maintain their perfect record at Leichhardt Oval this season.
The Tigers didn’t have a happy day out at Allianz Stadium, losing by 34 points. A couple of questionable sin bins, one of which referees boss Graham Annesley admitted was off the mark, AGAIN, didn’t help them; from there, it was hard for them to mount a comeback.
Don’t you love this? Players are sin binned on match day, only for Annesley to come out on Tuesday and say the Referee and the Bunker got it wrong. How many can you get wrong?
Fonua Pole scored a good try in the game’s final moments.
Benji Marshall has made a few changes from the side that lost to the Roosters, with Charlie Staines named on the wing and Solomona Faatape moving into the centres. Brent Nadin drops out of the team. John Bateman, who started from the bench last game, will now start in the second row. Heath Mason remains on the bench, while Reuben Porter is named as the 18th man.
Olam Named Reserve for Tigers
Justin Olam has been named as a reserve. Keep an eye on him to see if he moves into the starting lineup closer to kick-off.
Tigers
1. Jahream Bula 2. Luke Laulilii 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Charlie Staines , 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole , 11. John Bateman 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Justin Matamua 14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu , 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. David Klemmer 18. Reuben Porter 19. Tallyn Da Silva 20. Solomon Alaimalo , 21. Kit Laulilii 22. Justin Olam
Melbourne are set to rest Queensland Origin star
Melbourne are set to rest Queensland Origin star Harry Grant, and play Bronson Garlick at halfback.
They will be without Maroons teammate Xavier Coates, who injured his hamstring in the win over the Raiders. Papenhuyzen is back, with Faalogo on the bench.
Storm
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Grant Anderson 4. Jack Howarth 5. Kane Bradley 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King , 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Sualauvi Faalogo 15. Christian Welch , 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Joe Chan 18. Reimis Smith 19. Alec MacDonald 20. Dean Ieremia, 21. Chris Lewis 22. Lazarus Vaalepu
Key Stats
The Wests Tigers hold an 8-5 winning record against the Storm at Leichhardt Oval.
However, the Storm have won their last six encounters with the Wests Tigers.
The Wests Tigers have also won their last three games at Leichhardt Oval.
Storm center Nick Meaney has scored six tries in his past seven games against the Tigers.
Wests Tigers center Justin Olam has scored three tries in his two games at Leichhardt Oval.
Head-to-head, the Storm have won 25 out of 37 games played against the Tigers, but one stat doesn’t look good. Out of 15 games played at Leichhardt Oval, the Storm have only won six (the Tigers hold an 8-5 record over the Storm, including one win against Balmain in 1998).
PREDICTION.
While Leichardt Oval has a death wish over visiting teams, I think the Storm will be far too good here.
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