Storm v Sea Eagles preview

Melbourne Storm v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
AAMI Park - Saturday 6:00pm

The Storm have been one of the most surprising teams of the season, and yet at the same time, one of the least surprising. Questions were asked pre-season about how the Storm would perform. Were their stars past it? Had they been too long at the top? Can they win without their stars?

Several of those questions have been answered.

The Storm are sitting pretty at the top of the table, having won 5 games, with a points differential of +44. What's more impressive is that they have been scoring points without Billy Slater. This week, Kenny Bromwich returns to the side, with Tom Learoyd-Lahrs added to an extended bench. There are rumours that Cooper Cronk will miss the game, which should make things interesting.

The Sea Eagles have been depressingly poor so far this season, and even their heavy injury toll cannot be blamed for their lacklustre performances. The Sea Eagles are languishing at the bottom of the table, but more importantly, they haven't even looked like winning.

Kieran Foran will return this week in a bit of a boost for the side, but they'll still be without Jorge Taufua, Josh Starling, Feleti Mateo, Clint Gutherson, Brenton Lawrence, Tom Trbojevic, Jesse Sene-Lefao and of course, Brett Stewart. It's desperation stakes for the Manly side, but then again, it has been for about 3 weeks.

Last meeting: Round 2 2015 - Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 24 Melbourne Storm 22

Who to watch: Cameron Smith will have all the pressure piled on him this week, especially if Cooper Cronk is out as it seems he may be. Already without Billy Slater, Smith will be forced into providing much of the Storms' attacking capabilities.

For the Sea Eagles, the halves pairing is key. Without several key stars up front and out wide, the Sea Eagles will be relying on some creativity in the halves to put the right men into the right holes. Daly Cherry-Evans was good last week, and the return of Kieran Foran should take some pressure off as well.

The favourite: The Sea Eagles are deservedly $4.30 outsiders, after their insipid performances so far this season.

My tip: Anyone who tips the Sea Eagles in this one needs their heads read. The Storm should run away with this one. Storm by 12.

1. Billy Slater 2. Mahe Fonua 3. Will Chambers 4. Kurt Mann 5. Marika Koroibete 6. Blake Green 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Jordan McLean 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Tohu Harris 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Ryan Hinchcliffe 15. Tim Glasby 16. Dayne Weston 17. Felise Kaufusi 19. Kenneath Bromwich 21. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs

1. Peta Hiku 2. Cheyse Blair 3. Brayden Wiliame 4. Steve Matai 5. David Williams 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Jake Trbojevic 9. Matt Ballin 10. Willie Mason 11. Jamie Buhrer 12. Justin Horo 13. Tom Symonds
Interchange: 14. James Hasson 15. Luke Burgess 16. Dunamis Lui 17. Ligi Sao 20. Jayden Hodges

Referees: Matt Cecchin, Henry Perenara; Sideline Officials: Brett Suttor, Adam Reid; Video Referees: Shayne Hayne, Luke Phillips;

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