The Melbourne Storm and St George Illawarra Dragons clash in a top-four battle with big consequences. Join The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage.
The Storm are coming off a 9-8 win over the Roosters in Adelaide, where Cameron Smith slotted the match-winning field goal in the 78th minute.
However, they are now without six players due to State of Origin – Maroons players Billy Slater, Will Chambers, Cameron Munster, Felise Kaufusi and Tim Glasby, alongside New South Wales Blues flyer Josh Addo-Carr.
As a result, Young Tonumaipea has been named at fullback, making his final appearance at AAMI Park. Meanwhile, Cheyse Blair and Justin Olam come into the outside backs, while Ryley Jacks returns at five-eighth, Christian Welch starts at prop, and Brodie Croft returns on the bench.
The Dragons will need to perform a lot better than last week, after narrowly escaping with a 20-18 win against the last-placed Eels, following some Matt Dufty heroics at the death.
However, their engine room has been depleted through Origin, with Tyson Frizell, Jack De Belin, Paul Vaughan and Tariq Sims all missing.
It places pressure on English firebrand James Graham and impact player Leeson Ah Mau, who will start the game at prop. Jacob Host, Luciano Leilua and Blake Lawrie will start in the back row, sharing a total of 43 first grade games between them.
Although they still have the nous of Englishman Gareth Widdop, easily Paul McGregor’s biggest loss comes at halfback, with Ben Hunt replaced by Darren Nicholls. Nicholls who has excelled in the lower grades over the years joined the Dragons at the beginning of the year after skippering the Penrith Panthers to NRL State Championship success.
These two sides have played 35 times, with Melbourne winning 24 games – however, last time they met, in Round 9, the Dragons won 34-14.
Prediction
Cameron Smith will lead the Storm to victory to upset the order of the top four.
Storm by 8.
Join The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST) for updates and debate in our live blog.
Muzz
Guest
Great game.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Haha! Mate, I was going to milk it for all its worth if they just finished in the top 8
steveng
Roar Rookie
You beauty the Bunnies are No1 on the ladder lol that was a shellacking in the last 20min
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Agree, He has now scored tries in six of his first 11 NRL games. You know who else did that... .Billy Slater...
BA Sports
Roar Guru
About the 7th try being scored down his side...
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah Blair have him a bit of a whack on the head on the way through. I think Aitken’s reaction was more about the try being scored down his side. Nothing in it.
RM
Guest
Personally, I refuse to click on any Tom Rock article, or even an article that he is in any way involved in, such as the weekly tips. Been that way since Origin II last year, and my time on The Roar is all the better for it. I can certainly recommend this strategy to anyone else who thinks Tom Rock would be better suited writing some partisan hackery at the Daily Telegraph.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Blair tapped him on the head as he went through...bit of niggle but at that stage Aitken wasn't too happy so was more than a bit upset. Nothing in it at all...just a bit of niggle.
Concerned Observer
Guest
Great game, neck and neck but the Red V really dropped the ball there. Much less affected than the storm but the went in with seemingly no plan to contain Smith and were deservedly punished for that. Euan Aitken didn’t look flash going in on Blair after that try. I’m 50/50 on Blair’s own contact being deliberate but regardless it doesn’t reflect well on him. Either it was accidental and Aitken tried to start a fight right when he desperately needed to help rally the Dragons or; hecgot successfully baited and lost his focus.
Emcie
Roar Guru
All the defenders had the night off
TigerMike
Guest
What a game, that's how to play a second half. Small consolation then Tigers fans can say Hey we beat them twice this year!
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Aaahhh, I was working on the tennis, have taped the game and will be writing on it tomorrow. What in the world happened?
Dodgy Dragons
Roar Rookie
Great game of footy tonight, shame about the last 10 mins though. Impressed with the dragons without their origin stars, and missing a bench forward for most of the game. I just hope that Mary flicks this stupid idea of having Nightingale as a bench forward covering an edge. He doesn’t have the defensive ability to play any substantial minutes and perform. He either plays on the wing or not at all, and I hate to say it, but I think he misses out to a forward. Cam Smith has to be the best player I’ve ever seen, grabbed the game by the balls when it was on the line and kept twisting!!!
Joe
Roar Rookie
Didn't realize that...wow that's a pretty good effort from that makeshift backline!
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Oh wait, I have to apologise to Jahrome Hughes. He scored a try too! All seven of the Storm 1-7 scored a try.
jimmmy
Guest
Spot on.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Glasby...the forgotten man.
jimmmy
Guest
See above .
jimmmy
Guest
Tom should climb back under the Rock, he has absolutely no idea about Rugby League.
Peter Shannon
Guest
So Emcie. Is it to early at this point in the season to call your prediction on Souths running third pessimistic. ?