Melbourne Storm v Parramatta Eels
NRL TEAMS - 2025 Round 1
9 days ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
Storm v Eels preview
The fall out of Las Vegas culminates on Sunday afternoon at AAMI Park, as the Melbourne Storm look to blow through the Parramatta Eels.
It was only five months ago, but the Storm will remember last years heartbreaking Grand Final loss like it was only last weekend. The 14-6 loss was just another reminder that no matter how good a side can be, the Panthers are, and have been one step better over the last five years.
With that being said, the Storm will look to erase those memories as they take on an old foe in the Parramatta Eels. Round One at AAMI Park is terrifying enough for any team, with the Storm having a near perfect record over recent history. Add on the fact that this will be the first game that the full-strength Storm play after the grand final loss? It's a definite cause for concern as one of the Storm old boys returns home.
Jason Ryles will step into an all too familiar environment for his first premiership game inc charge of the Parramatta Eels. A former player and assistant coach at the Storm, he knows the ins and outs of this squad better than almost anyone in the game.
Taking the lead of a franchise who is desperate for success, the expectation for some is that Ryles will hit the ground running. Losing his captains in Gutherson and Campbell-Gillard over the summer, the Eels coach has got some youth to replace the stalwarts - but whether said youth is up to the task against the powerhouse that is the Storm, is yet to be seen.
The Storm have one change from the side that made the Grand Final last year, as Stefano Utoikamanu makes his club debut in the front row against one of his old teams. Ryan Papenhuyzen, Jahrome Hughes and Xavier Coates are good to go for week one, with Grant Anderson and Sua Faalogo both down in the reserves having played last years final game.
New coach, new line up for the Parramatta Eels with five club debutants for the blue and gold army! Zac Lomax starts in is preferred centre position, with Isaiah Iongi and Ryley Smith both making their NRL debuts. Ronald Volkman and Jack Williams both line up for their club debuts. The big talking point is still, no Mitchell Moses with a foot concern. It will be up to Volkman, alongside the in-demand Dylan Brown, to guide this inexperienced side around the park like they did in their trial win against the Knights.
Last meeting: Round 21 2024 - Eels 14 Storm 32
Who to watch: Coming off an injury disrupted 2024, Ryan Papenhuyzen will look to explode into 2025. Knowing full well that Sua Faalogo is waiting in the wings for a chance at that fullback jersey, the incumbent will look to make his mark early on the Eels. His speed will cause issues, especially on the Eels right left edge, while the ability to come through the middle will have alarm bells ringing for the new forward pack.
Dylan Brown showed in Newcastle that he can lead from the front with a very dominant display during the Eels trial win. The one concern that Eels fans had last year was that Brown couldn't lead Parramatta around the park for 80 minutes without the foil that is Mitchell Moses - so how can you shut the critics up? Go to Melbourne and win. Brown will look to run first, letting Volkman control the tempo of the attack, while the livewire that is Isaiah Iongi will pop up everywhere to provide the needed support.
Favourite: The Storm are well backed to make it 23-straight years of Round 1 victories
My tip: It isn't just a cut and dry game to look at here - the Storm are yet to put their full first team on the pitch together in 2025 while the Eels have done so twice (at points). The chemistry is there for Parramatta, but the class of the Storm should be too much for the Eels to handle. It will, hopefully, be closer than what is predicted… but don't have those hopes too high. Storm by 18.
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Lazarus Vaalepu 18. Grant Anderson 19. Bronson Garlick 20. Joe Chan 21. Sualauvi Faalogo 22. Kane Bradley
1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Jake Tago 6. Dylan Brown 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. J'maine Hopgood 14. Ryley Smith 15. Matt Doorey 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Charlie Guymer 18. Joash Papali'i 19. Jordan Samrani 20. Toni Mataele 21. Sam Tuivaiti 22. Joey Lussick
Referees: Wyatt Raymond; Sideline Officials: Matt Noyen, Phil Henderson; Video Referees: Grant Atkins;