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7 hours ago | Rhys Sullivan
Melbourne Storm v Newcastle Knights
AAMI Park - Monday 7:00pm
Can the Knights keep the scoreline under control, or will the Storm prove unstoppable.
The Storm are looking for their third win on the trot, after beating the Titans in Round 22, and putting the sword through the Sharks last weekend. They currently sit in 5th position on 28 points, just two points behind the South Sydney Rabbitohs. With a superior for and against to the Rabbitohs, a win this weekend should see the Storm leap into the top 4.
At the opposite end of the table, the Knights are fighting their own battle, trying desperately to keep themselves off the bottom of the table and avoid the wooden spoon. With three sides tied on 18 points, the Knights will be looking to keep the Storm to a low score, with for and against points an important factor in avoiding the dreaded wood.
Melbourne have named an unchanged side from that which dismantled the Sharks last weekend.
The Knights have added Joey Tapine to an extended bench, with one to be omitted prior to kickoff. Kurt Gidley has again been named at five-eight, and will partner outgoing Tyrone Roberts in the halves. Jake Mamo will again start at fullback.
Last meeting: Round 22 2014 - Newcastle Knights 32 Melbourne Storm 30
Who to watch: The biggest danger for the Knights is their own performance, with a habit of switching off at key periods so far this season. Short of that, Cooper Cronk will do his utmost to make life hell for the Knights on Monday night. The Knights have notoriously had issues defending out wide in 2015, and with Markia Koroibete and Matt Duffie out wide, Cronk will be setting them up for tries all night long.
Tyrone Roberts has come out during the week talking about the importance of finishing the season on a high. After defeating the Tigers last weekend, their first win under interim coach Danny Buderus, the Knights will be looking to put a dent in the Storm's run home. For Roberts personally, he'll be looking to end his time with the Knights on a positive note. Putting in a blinder last week, Roberts will need another this week, if the Knights are any chance of back to back wins.
The favourite: As expected, the Storm are massive favourites in this one, with the Knights $7 outsiders. The Storm have been heavily tipped coming into the weekend as well, with punters even favouring the Storm side with a 13 point handicap.
My tip: I can't see anything but a bloodbath happening in this game. Pride will be the only thing that can keep the Knights anywhere near the Storm for 80 minutes, and let's be honest - the Knights haven't played with a whole lot of pride so far this season. I'm tipping a bit of a blowout, Storm by 20.
1. Cameron Munster 2. Marika Koroibete 3. Will Chambers 4. Kurt Mann 5. Matt Duffie 6. Blake Green 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Tim Glasby 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Tohu Harris 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Ryan Hinchcliffe 15. Kenneath Bromwich 16. Felise Kaufusi 17. Christian Welch
1. Jake Mamo 2. Nathan Ross 3. Sione Mata'utia 4. Dane Gagai 5. Akuila Uate 6. Kurt Gidley 7. Tyrone Roberts 8. Kade Snowden 9. Adam Clydsdale 10. Korbin Sims 11. Beau Scott 12. Tariq Sims 13. Jeremy Smith
Interchange: 14. Tyler Randell 15. Joseph Tapine 16. Chris Houston 17. Clint Newton 18. Sam Mataora
Referees: Henry Perenara, Chris James; Sideline Officials: Dave Ryan, Belinda Sleeman; Video Referees: Steve Clark, Ben Galea;