Storm
22
Match Complete
Broncos
12
| C. Smith |  | 68 | ||
| J. Bromwich |  | 67 | ||
| 63 | | J. Isaako | ||
| 61 | | C. Oates | ||
| 60 | | J. Isaako | ||
| 59 | | C. Oates | ||
| C. Smith | | 49 | ||
| K. Bromwich | | 47 | ||
| C. Smith | | 14 | ||
| C. Scott | | 12 | ||
| J. Hughes | | 3 |
| 4 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos will kick the new NRL season to life when they clash at AAMI Park. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the opener from 7:50pm (AEDT).
The Storm come into the new season without Billy Slater, who has retired, but still hold one of the best rosters.
Cameron Munster is the key man for them, and even more so against a side like the Broncos.
Munster becomes such a key in this game because of the weakness in Brisbane’s kicking game. Whether new coach Anthony Seibold has been able to adopt new plans will be discovered in due course, but he can only work with the tools he has.
Neither Anthony Milford or Kodi Nikorima are organising halves, and that’s a problem when it comes to the kicking game.
Munster’s main focus in this clash should be dominating field position with his kicking game, and alongside young guns Brodie Croft and Jahrome Hughes, controlling the contest on the back of their pack.
Of course, as the old saying goes, the halves may as well stay in the shed if the forwards don’t do the job, and that’s where this game, for the first 60 minutes at least, should be fairly even.
The Brisbane forward pack is an exciting one. Young guns like Jaydn Su’A, Joe Ofahnegaue and David Fifita headline their charge, but dealing with Melbourne is a tough assignment first up.
While the Storm have consistent performers Jesse Bromwich and Dale Finucane, it’s Kiwi man-mountain Nelson Asofa-Solomona who could break this game wide open.
With the visitors’ youth in the pack, they might run out of puff in the final 20, and given their horrific overall record against the Storm, winning their first game under Seibold will be a tough ask.
Prediction
The Storm are at home and the questions surrounding the Broncos are going to take some weeks for Anthony Seibold to iron out. Given their record against Melbourne, they will start 2019 with a tough loss.
Storm by 12.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this season-opener from 7:50pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Game information
Kick-off: 7:50pm (AEDT)
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
TV: Live, Fox Sports 502, Channel 9
Online: Live, Foxtel app, Foxtel now, Kayo Sports, 9Now, NRL digital pass
Betting: Storm $1.72, Broncos $2.12
Overall record: Played 45, Storm 31, Broncos 13, drawn 1
Last meeting: Round 14, 2018 – Storm 32 defeat Broncos 16 at AAMI Park
Last five: Storm 5, Broncos 0
Record at venue: Played 10, Storm 7, Broncos 3
Referees: Gerrard Sutton, Matt Noyen
Teams
Melbourne Storm
1. Jahrome Hughes, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenny Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Christian Welch, 16. Tui Kamikamica, 17. Patrick Kaufusi, 18. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 19. Tom Eisenhuth, 20. Billy Walters, 21. Marion Seve
Brisbane Broncos
1. Darius Boyd (c), 2. Corey Oates, 3. James Roberts, 4. Jack Bird, 5. Jamayne Isaako, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Kodi Nikorima, 8. Matthew Lodge, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Joe Ofahengaue, 11. Alex Glenn, 12. Jaydn Su’A, 13. Matt Gillett
Interchange: 14. Kotoni Staggs, 15. David Fifita, 16. Thomas Flegler, 17. Tevita Pangai, 18. Shaun Fensom, 19. Patty Carrigan, 20. Sean O’Sullivan, 21. Gehamat Shibasaki
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
That tackle from Nelson Asofa-Solomona on Gillett nearly knocked him back 12 months to his last game! It almost decapitated him. It was a real "Welcome back to the NRL!" by Nelson.
The Barry
Roar Guru
He only made 50 odd metres but I don’t think he was ever going to be your typical cart horse middle third forward. Good to see him straight back into it, he’s a quality player.
Sam
Guest
The Rebels are benefiting from their attack playing very flat in offence with Cooper hitting them on the chest. Hes also putting his runners into the gaps. Perfect example of steering the play.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Would you give it an A? ;-)
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
"i just don’t know how good a combo Milford and Nikorima can be." How good? No good. There's your answer.
Brian George
Guest
Yawn, this yarn is so old now.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Perhaps Seibold involved the Broncos in one too many training sessions with Port Adelaide and instead of going ahead they scored a behind?
a
Roar Rookie
A very good game indeed
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Consistency is key. Just as long as ALL games are refereed the same and ALL teams benefit for the ENTIRE season. Look at the Souths vs Roosters prelim final last year. Same thing but one way traffic.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
"Which team would love a penalty free year." Well, we already know which team would love a salary cap free year... C0ck-A-Doodle-Doo! Bahahahahahaha
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Hands on the ball or the ball carrying arm, well the Storm and the Roosters do that better than anyone. Just as long as ALL games are refereed the SAME way on BOTH sides of the ball ALL season then I won't complain. But there are limits to how much of this obstructive play can be tolerated.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Yes, it IS "An Inconvenient Truth" about Alfie playing as a 14th man. LOL
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Do you have a foot in either camp JK? Or is it just the rivalry and the occasion that has you pumped? I'm really looking forward to the clash between GI and Mitchell. I just hope GI is pumped, hungry and fit and that he doesn't do an ACL on the dodgy SCG turf!
Fraser
Roar Rookie
Nah Barry makes a good point. The Broncos halves were playing so deep but passing to a standing player instead of in front of them. Maybe they should watch some footage of Quade Cooper or even Munster and Smith to see what happens if you put the ball in front of the receiver and get them to hit it with pace.
AE47
Roar Rookie
This years AGENDA , a style of referring that will suit Roosters and Storm and to a lesser extent Sharks Here we go again
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
It was a big loss and resulted in the interchange playbook being thrown out the window. The Storm were on fire tonight and would have won regardless of whether Roberts played or not I think.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Oh yeah - thank goodness it's back!
Emcie
Roar Guru
...Gore?
Pickett
Guest
Something HAS to be done about getting Langer off the field. He was on the field for probably 50 minutes. GET LANGER OFF AND KEEP HIM OFF!!!!!!
Emcie
Roar Guru
Cheer's for the call mate!! Good to be back in business!