Storm v Wests Tigers preview

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Melbourne Storm v Wests Tigers Sunday 2:00pm at AAMI Park, Melbourne / Wurundjeri

Storm look for renewal against rejuvenated Tigers

The Melbourne Storm are looking for revenge after their Magic Round heartbreak when they host the highly improved Wests Tigers at AAMI Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Storm have been a mixed side this season, at times they have looked like the most damaging side in the competition with the attacking blowing teams off the park. Then there's the Storm that let teams back in the game and it proved costly on Sunday night. When things dry up for the Storm, they get rattled easily, and Canberra took full advantage of that on the weekend. A couple of costly penalties in golden point was the icing on the cake, something that Craig Bellamy will be reminding his players of throughout the week.

To beat the Tigers, they need to go back to basics. When they are on, they are an incredibly ruthless attacking side. But we are yet to see a true 80-minute effort from the Storm in 2025, so that will be front of mind heading into the Origin period. Cam Munster and Jahrome Hughes have been combining well with a firing Ryan Papenhuyzen, but injuries out wide have threatened combinations on both sides of the ball. Their pack will be tested against the 1-2 punch of Terrell May and Victorian junior Fonua Pole, if they come on-top there, particularly as Stefano Utoikamanu goes up against his old club then victory will be easier to achieve.

Onto the seasons' big success story, the Wests Tigers. For a side that has won three wooden spoons on the trot, they have been incredible throughout the season so far as off-field issues continue to engulf the club. But, the team has shown great resilience thus far as they grow following the Galvin saga. For a side that was a bunch of ‘bullies' they were incredibly tight knit as they put away the Dragons at Magic Round on the weekend.

To beat the Storm, the yardage game will be critical. The Storm's line speed coming out of yardage is incredibly quick, so the ability of the Tigers to get out of their own end will be put to the test. If that doesn't work, the pressure on Jarome Luai and Lachlan Galvin to kick out of their own end will be immense. Defensively, they will need to keep all eyes on the reformed Big Four and ensure they don't have an inch to move. 

As far as team news is concerned, there's little change for either side. Both coaches opting to name the same sides' as last week. Melbourne do have big Nelson Asofa-Solomona on the reserves who impressed in QLD Cup last weekend. 

Last meeting: Round 18 2024 - Wests Tigers 28 Storm 40

Who to watch: For Melbourne it's a no brainer for mine. Their big-name acquisition in Stefano Utoikamanu. The former NSW forward has been strong for the Storm this season, averaging over 100 metres and breaking 3.2 tackles a game as well as 20 tackles a game. Yes, he had that brain snap last weekend in Golden Point. If he wins the big positional battle against Terrell May… that will be a big step for victory.

That leads us nicely into Terrell May. Yes, it seems an easy option to pick May but this prop battle is so critical for this game and is the last tick-box he needs to prove himself for NSW selection. The Samoan international is yet to play under 65 minutes in a game this season, averaging over 180 metres a game as well as 3.2 tackle breaks a game and 3.5 offloads a game. May can take one giant leap for his Origin credentials with the positional battle win. 

Favourite: The Storm are short-priced favourites with the bookies. Wests Tigers haven't won in Melbourne since Round 2, 2018. 

My tip: Melbourne don't lose back-to-back matches, especially in the way that the Storm blew that win last Sunday. The Tigers will give the Storm a big push in this one, but I just suspect the home side will have a massive point to prove, especially in attacking execution. Storm by 6.

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Sualauvi Faalogo 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Joe Chan 18. Ativalu Lisati 19. Lazarus Vaalepu 20. Kane Bradley 21. Keagan Russell-Smith 22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Brent Naden 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Tony Sukkar 19. Heath Mason 20. Solomona Faataape 21. Josh Feledy 22. Tristan Hope

Referees: Grant Atkins; Sideline Officials: Jon Stone, Kieren Irons; Video Referees: Kasey Badger;