The Storm take on the Bulldogs today in Brisbane at 5pm, with a crowd of around 15,000 is expected for the Charity Cup trial.
The match is being hosted by prospective NRL franchise Brisbane Bombers.
The Bombers bid chief Craig Davison believes league fans are crying out for more NRL action in Brisbane saying: “The most important thing is it brings more football to Brisbane.”
“We’re tired of hearing there are only 12 games in Brisbane and 108 in Sydney, it’s about time we had another team and I have no doubt Brisbane will get another team in time.”
The Storm will be bolstered by the return of Test captain Cameron Smith who is believed to be considering a more permanent move to Brisbane, but the return of full-back Billy Slater for this game is under a cloud with speculation that he will be rested.
Exciting rookie Munster, 19, has trained at fullback during the week and Storm coach Craig Bellamy is keen to safeguard Slater if there are any last minute doubts.
Melbourne were shocked on Wednesday after Matt Duffie, the Kiwi winger ruptured his ACL in training for the second time in consecutive years and Bellamy admits he faces a juggling act trying to keep his big three fit and fresh for a premiership tilt.
“If they are injured we will rest them,” Bellamy said ahead of his side’s final pre-season hitout.
Young winger Tonumaipea has been included after a strong showing in Melbourne’s 20-12 loss to Canberra in its first trial as well as a good performance in last weekend’s Auckland Nines tournament.
Bulldogs coach Des Hasler said the clash would be a vital a chance for Sam Perrett and Queensland rookie Corey Thompson to vie for the No. 1 jumper vacated by Broncos new acquisition Ben Barba.
Chase Stanley the new Dragons acquisition is expected to start in the centres.
The Bulldogs will be led by captain Michael Ennis and Frank Pritchard, as well as NSW Origin utility Josh Reynolds and prop Sam Kasiano. Ennis is expected to practice not talking to the referees as part of his preparation for round 1.
Coach Hasler has also predicted halfback Trent Hodkinson will deliver the goods, starting against the Storm, after struggling with injuries in recent years.
It will be a test for the Bulldogs coming up against one of the most consistent sides last year , although their trial form trial form this year has been poor.
I am going for the Storm to win a close one.
The Teams
Bulldogs: Mitch Brown, Tim Browne, Greg Eastwood, Michael Ennis, Dale Finucane, James Graham, Jaline Graham, Trent Hodkinson, Krisnan Inu, Josh Jackson, Sam Kasiano, David Klemmer, Moses Mbye, Josh Morris, Ed Murphy, Sam Perrett, Frank Pritchard, Chase Stanley, Corey Thompson, Aiden Tolman, Tony Williams.
Storm: Billy Slater, Sisa Waqa, Will Chambers, Mahe Fonua, Young Tonumaipea, Ben Hampton, Ben Roberts, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith, Bryan Norrie, Kevin Proctor, Ryan Hoffman, Ryan Hinchcliffe. Interchange: Hymel Hunt, Richie Kennar, Joel Romelo, Slade Griffin, Mitch Garbutt, Jordan McLean, Tohu Harris, Felise Kaufusi, Cameron Munster
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
If you looked around you would have found that the match was broadcast on Triple M Brisbane. I listened to the stream of the match.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
I think the other reason is that both the Bulldogs and Storm have plenty of support in Queensland.
Lowdown
Guest
Storm will not be too upset. A squad without Slater, Cronk and a rusty Smith went down in a close match to a near full strength Dogs.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Pleased you enjoyed the experience ... Not long now and the season will start and hopefully all league fans will be privvy to some great games and a display of the best of the best ... Watching the game last night it did seem llike the atmosphere was superb, even from the Wiggin fans ... NRL CEO Smith was smiling, but he has a long way to go before he can relax or belief that everything is the best it can be in the sport ... The Storm will be play Manly first round, so they'll have to go home and reassess after today ... Bellamy never goes into the Trials or the firstt round putting a whole lot of pressure on his men ... He and they have fans like me putting demands on them ... :-D Listening to the INXS story on Channel 7 ... So much talent, such a shame fame does weird things to people.
Muzz
Guest
Last night was great.I miss the NRL and watching the Roosters play.I kinda feel at home when i walk through the SFS gates and sit with the Chook Pen.What pleased me the most was the large spirited crowd that turned up.We had 32k at the finals double header with 3 Sydney based teams and 31k last night and from what i'm told there wasn't too many free tickets handed out..Roosters played ok but have a bit of work to do to get back to where they were last year.Souths crispness and lateral movement was very impressive yesterday.Pretty keen to watch some highlights of the Bronco's V Warriors and Storm V Dogs trial games
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Thanks Muzz ... Honestly, it's pretty crook when league fans have to resort to those methods to keep up with what their teams are doing ??? WHAT'S WITH THAT, MR SMITH !!!! I suppose you where happy with your Chooks last night Muzz ???
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
The Bulldogs in a close game with a late try 20-10 Storm.
Muzz
Guest
FT- Dogs 20 Storm 10
Muzz
Guest
10 - 4 Dogs..Go to the Dogs or Storm Twitter
Muzz
Guest
4 all 5 mins into second half
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
I'm not a financial wizard, but I think it would be worth trialling ... Right now I'm trying to find out the score via the internet ... HOPELESS ... Even if they ran the scores at the bottom of the screen in the last 15 minutes of the Warriors v Bronco's game (it is after all broadcast via Fox and had Vossy calling - there is a God !!!) The season hasn't started and I'm pissed off ...
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
ANYONE KNOW THE SCORE ??? Googling is hopeless ... the Storm site is on slow mo ??? I think Slater and Smith played ??? ANYTHING !!!!
Muzz
Guest
Hi troops - Do you think there would be a difference in revenue for Channel 9 if they used your system?
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Sorry, I don't agree ... I believe every season should start with the top 4 from the previous season ie., 1v4; 2v3 playing each other and should be the 1st game and 2nd game ie., Thusday and Friday, as will be happening next week ie., Roosters v Rabbitohs, Bulldogs v Broncos ...
Christian D'Aloia
Roar Guru
Channel Nine's games have bigger rivalries though, more hype than if top four teams played eachother again.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Jay C, I am afraid NRL is a long way from Grass roots and I am surprised they are still playing on grass. Anyway, this was meant to be all about the Bulldogs and Storm, I just thought it was interesting why the game was being played in Brisbane.
BA Sports
Guest
"When the NRL eventually expands, it’ll be into territories with proven rugby markets"... That's not expansion is it?, that's consolidation.
Jay C
Guest
That is not a healthy point of view WP. NRL should be trying to encouragea national comp whether there is a wealthy benefactor pushing for it or not. Rugby league was always grassroots and community owned. A team in Perth, Adelaide and Hobart funded by the NRL (capital) in conjunction with the government (facilities) and with the backing of the community (ongoing funding) should be what we are driving towards. Private ownership is great for the club but not always in the best interests of the game...
kunming tiger
Guest
Mahe Fonua, Young Tonumaipea and Richie Kennar, all named in the squad it's good to see. Hopefully they can push on from here.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
NO ... There is a mention about Smith's contract on the bottom of page 92 (in the NQ published version of the Courier Mail) ... A whole lot about Barba V the Bulldogs of course - here we go again - Barba, bigger then Ben Hur ... Isn't MINNIE "The Face of League" and deservingly so, but like "The Big 3" aren't on the league or media radar any more - "old news, flagging careers and has beens" - which suits me fine and them too I expect ... What league reporters and fans shouldn't forget, Smith, Slater and Cronk are not only dedicated to their sport, they are supreme athletes (second to none), and are multi-faceted, multi-skilled players ... Craig might just have more than one Ace and a Joker up his sleeve ... :-D