Storm v Roosters preview - 2017 Round 23

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Melbourne Storm v Sydney Roosters Saturday 5:30pm at AAMI Park, Melbourne / Wurundjeri

Battle of the heavyweights in Melbourne town!

This match has "game of the round" written all over it in what should be a packed AAMI Park on Saturday evening. 
Melbourne have been the runaway leaders throughout 2017 and have a further opportunity to extend that lead by beating the 2nd placed Roosters.

Both teams met in a cracking contest earlier this season in Adelaide where some Mitch Pearce heroics getting the tri colours home. This could be a game where the Roosters make a statement in 2017 and Robinson will have pinpointed this game as one he will want his side to play to their ability in.

The Storm keep churning along with ultra consistent performances helping them along to wins. With all players in the squad starting to contribute, coach Craig Bellamy has his side in good stead in the back end of the season.

Last meeting: Round 16 2017 - Roosters 25 Storm 24

The Roosters pulled off a remarkable comeback win against the Storm in Adelaide. This took all of their reserves and will be hoping for similar success this time around.

Who to watch: The Storm's centre Curtis Scott has been a real find for them this year. He is a tackle busting machine that often beats the first tackle and has a great ability to offload when attracting defenders. His defence has improved with each game and is very capable for such an inexperienced. He will only get better in the future weeks.

The Roosters Connor Watson has done some good things since filling in for Michael Gordon. He will need to be at his best on Saturday for them to get the points. Look for him to make plenty of metres from kick returns to put the Roosters in good field position at the start of their sets.

The favourite: Storm warm favourites with the bookies at home.

My tip: Melbourne to continue their charge towards the minor premiership with a consistent 80-minute performance on Saturday. Storm by 6.

1. Billy Slater 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. William Chambers 4. Curtis Scott 5. Josh Addo-Carr 19. Jahrome Hughes 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 15. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Joe Stimson 13. Dale Finucane 10. Tim Glasby 14. Kenneath Bromwich 16. Jordan McLean 17. Slade Griffin

1. Connor Watson 3. Latrell Mitchell 16. Ryan Matterson 4. Mitchell Aubusson 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Luke Keary 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Isaac Liu 2. Joseph Manu 14. Zane Tetevano 15. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 18. Kane Evans

Referees: Gerard Sutton, Dave Munro; Sideline Officials: Michael Wise, Jeff Younis; Video Referees: Jared Maxwell, Ben Galea;