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Anzac Day: Storm v Warriors preview and prediction

Detail from a Melbourne Storm NRL commemorative jersey featuring the ANZAC emblem and the "Spirit of Anzac Medal". (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)
Roar Guru
24th April, 2018
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The Storm take on the Warriors int he second leg of the Anzac Day double header. Who will come out on top and why?

Preview
We have another Anzac Day barn burner here, as the Storm host the high-flying Warriors in front of what is sure to be a huge crowd at AAMI Park. The Storm have got somewhere back to near their best in the past couple of weeks, continuing their dominance over the Broncos last round, winning 30-20 at Suncorp Stadium in a highly entertaining and open game, to get to 4-3 on the season and back into the Top 8.

The Warriors put down a huge marker in this competition, responding to their first loss of the season by knocking off the competition leading Dragons 20-12 at Mount Smart Stadium. The Warriors’ defence and line speed was brutal, forcing the Dragons into a number of errors, as they remained second on the competition ladder after seven rounds.

History

The Storm won both clashes against the Warriors in 2017, winning 26-10 at Mount Smart Stadium in Round 2 before holding on for a tight 20-14 victory in Round 8.

However, the Warriors have had some success at AAMI Park before, winning on three of the last eight occasions, including victories on Anzac Day and in the 2011 preliminary final. Overall the Storm hold the edge with 22 victories to 16, with two draws between the clubs.

Blake Green

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Melbourne Storm scouting report
The Storm are forced into a big change with key prop Jesse Bromwich out with a knee injury. Tim Glasby moves to prop, with Kenny Bromwich starting at lock and Joe Stimson joining the interchange.

Billy Slater started to really find his form in the past couple of weeks, scoring a double against the Broncos and looking dangerous every time he touched the football. Josh Addo Carr will be looking to lock up an Origin berth on the wing after a scintillating display against the Broncos last week.

Riley Jacks has done an outstanding job since coming into the side as halfback, and could well cement his spot for the rest of the season if the Storm keep climbing the table.

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New Zealand Warriors’ scouting report
The Warriors have a couple of key outs with Tohu Harris missing through concussion after that heavy knock last week, and Shaun Johnson still not fit to return from a groin injury. Isaiah Papali’i replaces Harris in the second row, while Ata Hingano will start again at halfback after being so impressive in victories over the Roosters and Dragons when filling in for Johnson.

Adam Blair has been terrific buy this season, leading the Warriors in line speed and defence. New recruit Blake Green has forced a number of goal-line drop outs and with the injury to Mitchell Pearce now finds himself in the Origin frame.

Verdict – Storm by 8-18
I like the Storm here to win at home, despite the Warriors causing a few upsets over the years in Melbourne.

I think this game will be a belter and come down to the final 20 minutes, however I just think the Storm are such a hard side to beat at home, and with their superstars wingers of Addo Carr and Vunivalu starting to hit their straps, I see them running away with this game late.

Tohu Harris is a big loss for the Warriors here, given he was coming up against his old club, and I think last week’s game was extremely physical and the Warriors could be a little banged up here off a five-day turnaround and having to travel to Melbourne without a couple of key players.

The Warriors have been outstanding this season, however it’s another step up to go Melbourne and get a victory who are notoriously hard to beat at home and have won their last two home games by more than 13 points.

Expecting a huge crowd in Melbourne and some solid support for the Warriors there, but Melbourne to win by a couple of tries as they start their march up the table after an indifferent start to the season.

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