Round 11: Storm v Eels preview
After a loss at AAMI Park, will the Storm win at "home" or will the Eels pull out an electric performance?
A top of the table clash proved too much for Melbourne Storm, as they fell to a depleted Cronulla side 18-25, breaking their 14-game winning streak at home. The 80 minutes were shrouded in controversy with a penalty that resulted in a Harry Grant sin-bin for late contact on a kicker. Can the Storm tidy up their discipline and defence to get past Parramatta?
On Friday night, anticipation was high, as both the Eels and Broncos were missing key players from their respective spines. The Eels lost 14-30 at CommBank Stadium, in front of 17,393 fans. Even a promising start to the 2nd half couldn't help the Eels to a win, with 14 errors and a completion rate of 62%.
This round, with the inclusion of Xavier Coates returning from a hamstring injury, it pushes Grant Anderson to the 18th man spot. This is the only change to last Saturday's team that lost to the Sharks.
Mitch Moses is still out, so Dylan Brown remains at 7. However, Ethan Sanders vacates the No. 6 jersey so that last week's reserve Daejarn Asi gets another chance at five-eighth. Brendan Hands leaves the bench to make way for Bryce Cartwright in his return from a rib injury.
Last meeting: Round 22 2023 - Storm 46 Eels 16
Who to watch: Young fullback Sua Fa'alogo is doing well to fill Ryan's shoes in his absence. Whilst still learning his trade on the field he shows moments of excellence as well. Having two young inexperienced fullbacks leading the backline of each team, will most probably present a chance for Sua to show the Suncorp stands what he is capable of.
With the most post contact meters of any back, Sua will be looking at transforming these into more tackle and line breaks to pile the points on Parramatta.
Tyran Wishart, an emerging versatile player did well to step up to the job as Melbourne's halfback. He scored a try and made seven tackle breaks in his 80-minute effort. Although Melbourne has lost whenever he has started this year (twice), Wishart just needs to communicate more with the team, so both attack and defence are strong to prevent any slippery Eels through.
This week Tyran needs to step up his kicking game, as none of the Storm's tries came off any kicks like they have in recent weeks.
The other young fullback is Blaize Talagi, who had his first stint in the number one jersey and will go again this week. Overall, he is steadily improving and showing glimpses of promise. One of the better players for the Eels on Friday night, he scored a try and had 22 runs for 215 meters.
Although he still had his errors, namely fumbling a ball close to the try line, Talagi is one to watch as he gets used to the fullback position and playing against premiership juggernauts.
Favourite: The Storm are favourite to win Magic Round for the first time since 2021
My tip: I think the Storm can repeat their 2019 Magic Round antics and throw the Eels back underwater (bottom 8). Storm by 21.
