Round 15: Storm v Broncos preview
In form Broncos galloping into a Storm
The Melbourne Storm will try and hold their home ground advantage when they take on the rampaging Brisbane Broncos on Friday Night Footy. Melbourne have been undefeated at their home base this season and will look to halt the Broncos impressive winning streak of seven matches.
Melbourne have had a solid season thus far, considering the injuries that have guttered their outside backs, Craig Bellamy's history of turning also-rans into out and out first graders appears to be continuing. They had a scrappy but fairly unconvincing win over the Roosters, with the match not sealed until the final five minutes, thanks in part to an error from a certain Roosters backrower. But all jokes aside, Melbourne's game plan in the Bellamy era has been to find and exploit weaknesses and they sure did do that, all tries coming down the edge of Paul Momirovski including a double to debutant Grant Anderson.
This week, the challenge gets harder, they're back at home for the first time since Round 12 when they brushed past an in-different Manly side as of late. Although, they have showed signs of their best in recent weeks although they've gone about it in a less convincing way after their humbling losses against Penrith and North Queensland. Ryan Papenhuyzen was named as a reserve as he looked to return from a hamstring injury which has seen him miss a month of footy, but was cruelly ruled out with COVID-19 early on Wednesday. Grant Anderson therefore remains in the side which is unchanged.
Well, what a turn around the boys from Red Hill have had this season, after starting undefeated Kevin Walters' side limped into Easter with four straight losses. But since then, the Broncos have fired round after round of impressive footy. None more impressive than last week's determined win over Canberra. With Haas, Farnworth, Reynolds, Paix and Mam all either leaving the game due to injury or bravely battling on, it will go down in Broncos' history as one of the bravest victories.
Although, that being said. The challenge to go for eight in a row reaches fever pitch taking on Melbourne in Melbourne. The task will be even more challenging with Adam Reynolds failing to recover in time while Payne Haas will be given to gameday to prove his fitness. For the Broncos to win, they will need to match their pack and contain Munster and Hughes, it will be Brisbane's biggest litmus test since their losses against the Cowboys, Roosters and Panthers.
Well, there is plenty of movement for the team lists this week. Adam Reynolds (rib) and Herbie Farnworth (bicep) are both out. Tyrone Roberts will pair with Ezra Mam in the halves, while Kotoni Staggs returns for Farnworth in the centres. Selwyn Cobbo is also back so Jordan Pereira drops to the reserves. Also returning is Kurt Capewell, which means TC Robati is out of the 17. Jake Turpin is in on the bench with Cory Paix out injured.
Last meeting: Round 12 2021 - Broncos 12 Storm 40
Who to watch: He's the most talked about player in the game at the moment and with the form he's in it's hard to pass up Cam Munster as the one to watch. Munster had a massive game for QLD which saw him Man of the Match honours, although he was quiet at times and well contained on Saturday night, his influence and control of the line-up has improved out of sight. With a big pay-day looming, look for Munster to add some dollar value to his name with a strong showing.
Ten weeks ago, Patrick Carrigan was a blimp on the radar as far as rep footy was concerned. Well after his impressive Origin debut, the sky is the limit for the young Bronco. He took that form from Origin and led his young side to a courageous victory last Saturday. Carrigan's constant go forward and his brick wall defence is the foundation on what Brisbane in 2022 are all about. All eyes will be on Carrigan to continue his form with Origin 2 just under a fortnight away.
Favourite: The bookies have looked at the injury crisis at the Broncos and installed Melbourne as the overwhelming favourite. Brisbane have only beaten the Storm three times at AAMI Park, in the inaugural NRL match their in 2010, 2015 and 2016.
My tip: With how well Melbourne are playing at home and tying in the fact Brisbane hasn't won their often, Melbourne should have enough in the bank to get home. With Papenhuyzen potentially returning and the Broncos missing several big names through injury, it'll be an almighty mountain to climb if Brisbane want to solidify their top 4 position. Melbourne by 16.
