NRL Round 6 Preview - Storm v Sea Eagles

|

Melbourne Storm v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Etihad Stadium, Monday 19 April 2010, kickoff 7:00pm AEST

This rivalry is based on a very recent history which will make the matchup more brutal than other traditional 'rivalries' in the NRL. The Storm lost last week and are playing at home which make them more aggressive from the outset. However, the Eagles respond well to aggression and have an impressive attack to counteract the fact that Melbourne has won all of their games this year by scoring only 20 points or less.

This will be a magnificent tactical battle, as much as it will be a battle of will. Manly's impressive young halves pairing of Trent Hodkinson and Kieran Foran will test the Storm defence but we have to lean towards the home side and defending premiers. Billy Slater in particular will be tested but will pass with flying colours. The visitors will want to atone for a poor performance in their last meeting with the Storm but experience is telling in this match and the Storm have it in spades.

Man of the Match Prediction: Billy Slater
Tip: Melbourne 20-16
TEAM LISTS

Storm: 1. Billy Slater 2. Luke MacDougall 3. Greg Inglis 4. Dane Nielsen 5. Anthony Quinn 6. Brett Finch 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Cameron Smith (c) 10. Jeff Lima 11. Adam Blair 12. Kevin Proctor 13. Ryan Hinchcliffe
Interchange: 14. Todd Lowrie 15. Hep Cahill 16. Ryan Tandy 17. Bryan Norrie

Sea Eagles: 1. Ben Farrar 2. Michael Robertson 3. Jamie Lyon (c) 4. Steve Matai 5. Tony Williams 6. Kieran Foran 7. Trent Hodkinson 8. Jason King (c) 9. Matt Ballin 10. Josh Perry 11. Anthony Watmough 12. Shane Rodney 13. Glenn Stewart
Interchange: 14. Joe Galuvao 15. Brent Kite 16. Matt Cross 17. Chris Bailey

Referees: Tony Archer & Alan Shortall; Sideline Officials: Russell Turner & David Munro; Video Referee: Bill Harrigan

Discuss in forums
More articles