The Melbourne Storm head to their home away from home at Suncorp Stadium to host the St George Illawarra Dragons in Magic Round. Follow the action from Suncorp Stadium with live scores on The Roar from 4:05pm (AEST).
The Storm didn’t put a foot wrong in their stunning 50-0 annihilation of the Rabbitohs last week. It was a vintage performance from the reigning premiers, showing that despite sitting third on the NRL ladder, they remain the team to beat.
Their line-up, though, is beginning to lose its stars, with Cam Munster (foot) and Harry Grant (hamstring) the latest to enter the casualty ward. Craig Bellamy is being ultra-cautious with Ryan Papenhuyzen, naming the star fullback in the reserves on return for a shoulder injury. It will be up to the Storm’s second-tier players like Dale Finucane, Ryley Jacks and Kenny Bromwich to continue their winning ways.
The Dragons secured a badly needed win over the Bulldogs in Round 9; however, facing the Storm is a whole different ball game. Mikaele Ravalawa returns from suspension on the wing in what should be a fascinating duel with opposite number and six-try sensation Josh Addo-Carr.
Captain Ben Hunt’s return from a broken leg has been a major boost for the Dragons; and against a Storm side far from full strength, coach Anthony Griffin will undoubtedly sense his team can cause an upset.
However, the Storm are a formidable force at Suncorp Stadium. They’ve won 78 per cent of their games at the venue – a better record than even the Broncos – and made it a fortress last season when they were forced out of Melbourne due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kick-off: 4:05pm (AEST)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
TV: Fox League, Channel Nine (NSW/QLD/ACT/NT), 9Gem (VIC/WA/SA/TAS)
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go
Odds: Storm $1.14, Dragons $5.50 (odds via PlayUp)
Storm
1. Nicho Hynes, 2. George Jennings, 3. Reimis Smith, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Ryley Jacks, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich (c), 9. Kenneath Bromwich, 10. Christian Welch, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Tui Kamikamica, 13. Dale Finucane
Bench/Reserves: 14. Tyson Smoothy, 15. Chris Lewis, 16. Tom Eisenhuth, 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona | 18. Aaron Pene, 19. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 20. Trent Loiero, 21. Dean Ieremia
Dragons
1. Matt Dufty, 2. Max Feagai, 3. Jack Bird, 4. Tyrell Fuimaono, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Ben Hunt (c), 8. Blake Lawrie, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Josh Kerr, 12. Tariq Sims, 13. Josh McGuire
Bench/Reserves: 14. Poasa Faamausili, 15. Billy Burns, 16. Daniel Alvaro, 17. Kaide Ellis | 18. Jackson Ford, 19. Junior Amone, 20. Cody Ramsey, 21. Adam Clune
steveng
Roar Rookie
No Renegade, what Cody Walker did was ridiculous and I don’t agree with it! I’m not supporting this soccer ballerina faking injuries that has destroyed soccer for many decades and unfortunately its doing the same to the NRL, which is the most severe contact sport on this planet but, the NRL should decide and change the rules (like the AFL did) that anything even a pinkie touching above the shoulders is an automatic penalty! As the NRL is just sin binning or sending off players for anything and everything. And as I’ve said “Fuimaono didn’t touch Papas head, his was a hard smothering barging tackle” and Paps must have gotten the concussion from the hit and jarring effects of the tackle, that was not an intentional head high it was a smothering tackle to stop a try!
The Barry
Roar Guru
I agree. There’s times when you can argue that he benefits from playing in the Storm’s system and off the back of their great players But he was the creator and provider yesterday. He wasn’t playing off the back of anyone He’s off contract and way too good to be playing 14. There’s at least six clubs that he’d slot straight into and improve them
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
and some don't have to.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
trash talk...
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
:shocked: Glad I didn't read that last night with a Chivas in hand...
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Because the idea of a raft of players intentionally exposing themselves to blows to the head is so self-evidently stupid that it shouldn't require a response. Yes, rugby league is a contact sport with inherent risks, but no one actually embraces being the recipient of a high shot. Compare this to driving. There is a negligible proportion of the population who will get into crashes in the hope of an insurance payout. Sometimes they'll get away with it, other times their fraud will be exposed and they will suffer the consequences. The rest of the drivers, however, try not to get into crashes. How many players want to increase their risk of permanent disability for a penalty? Honestly???
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
You have a duty of care to make sure you don't hit a player in the head. He was trying to put a big hit on and it was late as well. No care taken. Reckless.
Jeremy
Guest
It was hardly a swinging arm. If you’re rushing in to shut down a play with a ball and all tackle and at the last moment the attacker crouches and passes the ball, sometimes you might accidentally catch him in the head. I still don’t see how this accidental circumstance is deserving of a send off. What else is the defender supposed to do?
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Dufty is one of the leading try scorers in the Comp for goodness sake.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Maybe Hook can swap him for Fafita (he likes him)
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Joe, very deceptive with his speed, holds the ball in two hands. Glides like Larkham and can play 6. Hmmmm. It's always difficult looking at the players from 14 onwards for the storm, how much untapped talent V the Storm systems making players look better. Cheers
Joey
Guest
4 tries scored by 12 players against a Storm team without 3 of their spine. That’s my take out heading to Canberra next week.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Diving for penalties. A new tactic for the NRL.
Joe
Roar Rookie
He was causing havoc with the Storm defense...I don't think it was a coincidence at all.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Nicho Hynes had an awesome game. Started at 6 and then went to fullback. He has that running style that makes him look like he's gliding through gaps. He had worked on his speed in the off season and it is paying off making him far more dangerous along with a great passing game. Just seems to have a lot of time when he has the ball and picks the right options and doesn't panic. Surely some club puts a big contract in front of him after this performance.
Rellum
Roar Guru
The Storm didn't get on top until Dufty went off. Maybe coincidence but still.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
So more like ‘ mathematical equation round’?
Phil
Roar Rookie
Up to half time Saints were well in the game, the best player on the paddock being Matt Dufty and Griffin doesn't rate him. Full marks to the Storm, very deserved winners.
Gold Coast Bunny
Roar Rookie
Commiserations DP. 12 man St George > 13 man Bunnies. GF hopes still alive.