Melbourne Storm v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Knights v Warriors preview
5 hours ago | Tim Costello
Storm v Sea Eagles preview
The stars are on show for both teams in Melbourne's Starlight Round.
The annual match supporting the Starlight Children's Foundation is back, along with Melbourne's Origin players. Manly is coming off the bye, having previously defeated the Bunnies in Round 18.
Melbourne has continued to extend their winning ways, with their sixth win in a row coming in Newcastle after a second half effort putting the Knights to bed 32-14. Even with a slightly dismantled squad, Melbourne was able to score four unanswered tries through Trent Loiero and Kane Bradley.
Manly were able to withhold a Rabbitohs push in the second half in Round 18 to win 30-12 at Brookvale Oval. This handed them back-to-back wins at home in between two byes. Manly has the potential to beat anyone, already winning against the Raiders, Panthers and Broncos this season.
Team wise, Ryan Papenhuyzen is still unavailable due to his calf tightness - which the Storm is reporting as a minor calf strain - keeping Meaney at fullback. Xavier Coates returns to the wing and so too does Bradley, which sees Grant Anderson move to the centres and Joe Chan to 18th man. Cameron Munster also returns at five-eighth, pushing Tyran Wishart to the bench. Tui Kamikamica starts on the bench since Loiero is back in the starting side and Jonah Pezet moves to the reserves.
There are no changes to Manly's starting lineup for the third game in a row. Ethan Bullemor plays his 100th NRL game.
Last meeting: Round 5 2025 - Sea Eagles 24 Storm 48
Who to watch: Nick Meaney has been on a roll lately filling in for Papenhuyzen at fullback. His Man of the Match performance in Round 18 was followed up by 212 run metres, the most for any Storm player, and 9 tackle breaks last week. To add even more fuel to the Nick Meaney fire is the fact he will be playing his 150th NRL game. Milestones at the Storm are always a cause for the team to bring their A-game, so expect an impassioned performance from Meaney on Saturday. With the inclusion of Munster, fans can anticipate a thorough attacking side with plenty of points to be piled onto Manly at AAMI Park.
On a good day Tom Trbojevic is up there with other elite players in the competition. He showed exactly why he is a fan favourite scoring a double against the Rabbitohs. Injuries and inconsistencies have plagued the last few years, with the former fullback struggling to find rhythm and fitness. Moving Turbo to the centres in the last month has paid dividends, as Manly have won the two games he was playing in that position. Turbo will be looking for consistency in the centres in order to keep Manly's finals hopes alive, as a loss this round or in the very near future may result in them leaving the 8.
Favourite: Melbourne by a fair bit.
My tip: Melbourne to win at home - 27 out of the last 29 games at AAMI Park have been in their favour. Storm by 20.
1. Nick Meaney 2. Kane Bradley 3. Jack Howarth 4. Grant Anderson 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. Tui Kamikamica 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Ativalu Lisati 18. Joe Chan 19. Bronson Garlick 20. Jonah Pezet 21. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 22. Lazarus Vaalepu
1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Tommy Talau 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Aaron Schoupp 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Caleb Navale 21. Joey Walsh 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Referees: Wyatt Raymond; Sideline Officials: Drew Oultram, Tyson Brough; Video Referees: Chris Butler;