Storm v Eels preview

Melbourne Storm v Parramatta Eels
AAMI Park - Monday 7:00pm

Origin depleted Storm face surprising test.

At first glance, this clash would be an easy instant tip for the home side. Peel back the layers, however, and there's a huge upset on the cards. The team in purple and navy taking the field on Monday evening at AAMI Park is a far cry from the one that normally pulls on the Storm jersey as a result of the second State of Origin clash, while the Eels lose only Will Hopoate from a side with plenty of potential but a worrying lack of results.

Recent form still suggests the Storm might win this, but it's too hard to just discount Parramatta. Their inability to play 80 minutes, highlighted by their embarrassing collapse against table-topping North Queensland, could be balanced out by inexperience in key positions for the hosts, who are missing the likes of Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk, among others.

If Chris Sandow can produce the form he showed for the first hour of Monday's night's game against the Cowboys, it's all looking good for the visitors. That said, the Eels find it difficult to produce a result in Melbourne, and even with a depleted squad, the gravitas of playing at AAMI Park might just get them across the line.

Last meeting: Round 9 2015 - Parramatta Eels 10 Melbourne Storm 28

Only five weeks ago the Storm were clinical in disposing of the lowly Eels at Pirtek Stadium. Expect them to repeat the dose here.

Who to watch: Two players will be key to the Storm's success on Monday - the halves. Blake Green's return to the NRL with the competition's most southern side has been a revelation and alongside Cooper Cronk he has definitely shown some star credentials. This week he is partnered at the scrumbase with Ben Hampton. The 23-year-old was Cronk's left-hand-man in the halves throughout the latter part of 2013 and the first 16 weeks of last season, but has been quiet ever since. With Cronk out for several weeks, Hampton has a chance to get his style back in front of coach Craig Bellamy, and guiding an understrength Storm side to victory on Monday will be key to his success.

Perhaps Parramatta's greatest but unspoken strength is at dummy half. Nathan Peats was a genius, if not underrated signing for the Eels after a stint at the Rabbitohs - and in several matches this season he's shown why. It's up to the forwards around him to step up and be counted, but at least if they do, they know they have a hooker will put them on the front foot against one of the NRL's up-and-coming solid packs.

The favourite: The Eels, on the back of that first 60 minutes against the Cowboys, are favourites here. Those with the cash are struggling to see Melbourne over the line with the missing playing stocks.

My tip: It's AAMI Park guys, the Storm have got this. The Eels are last for a reason. No doubt about it. Melbourne by 16.

1. Cameron Munster 2. Mahe Fonua 3. Tohu Harris 4. Kurt Mann 5. Richard Kennar 6. Blake Green 7. Ben Hampton 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Ryan Hinchcliffe 10. Jordan McLean 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Tim Glasby 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Young Tonumaipea 15. Kenneath Bromwich 16. Christian Welch 17. Felise Kaufusi

1. Reece Robinson 2. Semi Radradra 3. Ryan Morgan 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Bureta Faraimo 6. Corey Norman 7. Chris Sandow 8. Junior Paulo 9. Nathan Peats 10. Tim Mannah 11. Manu Ma'u 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Anthony Watmough
Interchange: 14. David Gower 15. Darcy Lussick 16. Danny Wicks 17. Pauli Pauli 18. Daniel Alvaro

Referees: Ashley Klein, Adam Devcich; Sideline Officials: Dave Ryan, Kasey Badger; Video Referees: Steve Chiddy, Ben Galea;

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