Melbourne Storm
24
Match Complete
Wests Tigers
12
| N. Meaney |  | 65 | ||
| 55 |  | A. Doueihi | ||
| 54 |  | A. Koroisau | ||
| N. Meaney | | 39 | ||
| C. Munster | | 38 | ||
| J. Olam | | 33 | ||
| 31 | | A. Doueihi | ||
| 29 | | A. Kepaoa | ||
| N. Meaney | | 25 | ||
| N. Meaney | | 23 | ||
| W. Warbrick | | 18 | ||
| N. Meaney | | 5 |
| 4 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
It’s a bottom-five clash at AAMI Park as the Melbourne Storm host the Wests Tigers at AAMI Park. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6pm (AEDT).
With a host of injuries and key players leaving for other clubs, the Storm have had an uncharacteristic and terrible start to the 2023 NRL season.
They have failed to complete above 85% during any game this season, while missing 15+ tackles per game. Despite getting Cameron Munster back, the Storm will be without Jahrome Hughes after the halfback failed to have his suspension overturned at the judiciary.
Youngster Jonah Pezet is likely to slot in at halfback and after an impressive debut last week. Pezet’s confidence will do wonders for Munster, letting him focus on his own game while the rookie aims to control the contest with his kicking game.
After all the hype surrounding the Tigers and how they were getting the old gang back together, it’s been nothing but all talk and no action.
The Tigers have completed at less than 75% per game, while making an average of 15.3 errors. Confidence is low in Tiger Town and a trip to Melbourne could make things harder for them. Former Storm loanee David Nofoaluma has been dropped, with Tim Sheens changing his spine and backline to accommodate Brandon Wakeham in the halves.
Isaiah Papali’i is back from his suspension, adding some much needed firepower in the pack.
Prediction
Both sides are desperate in search of a victory. But more importantly, they are aiming for a complete performance. This is the Tigers first trip to AAMI Park since 2019, where they narrowly lost 24-22 while winning 10-8 the year before.
I look at match-ups to see where games could be won. And for this clash, that’s the battle of the dummy halves between Api Koroisau and Harry Grant. Koroisau has struggled to have a huge impact, while Grant has been the shining light in a slow start for the Storm.
I see Grant winning that battle, and helping the Storm get back to winning ways.
Storm by 2
Game information
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kickoff: 6pm (AEDT)
TV: Fox League
Streaming: Kayo Sports
Betting: Storm $1.34, Tigers $3.30 – odds via PlayUp
Storm
1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tariq Sims
Interchange: 17. Bronson Garlick 18. Tom Eisenhuth 19. Grant Anderson 20. Aaron Pene 21. Sualauvi Faalogo 22. Jonah Pezet
Tigers
1. Adam Doueihi 2. Charlie Staines 3. Brent Naden 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Junior Tupou 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Daine Laurie 15. Alex Twal 16. Shawn Blore
Interchange: 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Starford To’a 19. Joe Ofahengaue 20. Justin Matamua 21. David Nofoaluma 22. Jake Simpkin
Alan
Roar Rookie
How unfair to the supporters is this 6pm slot at AAMI park. The crowd was way down as reported in the Age newspaper.
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Well he'd be silly to be a life member of the Tigers. :laughing:
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
well done of sorts Storm. its a win. Tigers..there are no words
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Check if the Ref is a life member of the Storm ?
GB
Roar Rookie
He barely fits in to his jersey any more Tom. :laughing:
Joe
Roar Rookie
That was a very unimpressive win for the Storm. I just don't see them beating many teams this season if the last 3 weeks is any indication of their performance. At lease Pezet ensured Hughes wasn't missed but boy do the miss NAS in the middle. Welch is nowhere near the form he had when he was Qlds best forward. Having Munster back tonight was a big plus and if he wasn't there this might have very well been another upset. Sims hasn't brought the mongrel he was supposed to. The middle forwards look very ordinary...King was their best but he is a toiler at best. Loeiro has not strike at all, doesn't run line, doesn't ball play or offload. He is such an ordinary 2nd rower and a huge step down from Kenny Bromich...especially when you have a runner and weapon like Olam playing outside you. I'd be surprised if a single pass went from Loeiro to Olam in this game. Its going to be a tough season for the Storm.
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Guess I could just make an orange and black tinfoil hat and start blaming conspiracies, sombreros, refs etc.
Phil
Roar Rookie
TB, my thoughts also. I don't think he's up to 1st grade standard. A fair weather sailor so to speak.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
He should return.. seriously!! He would fit in perfectly
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Sheens went all in on Brooks. He punted Hastings and Madden. Insists Brooks wears the 7 shirt even though Wakeham is playing halfback and (according to Sheens) steering the team around. The coach has to own this mess.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Hang in there SM. I remember the wooden spoon days at my club. It's character building .
Stormy
Roar Rookie
So would I HY.
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Your sympathy just makes me sadder.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Well then, I’m off to the Storm’s game next week as they face the Rabbitohs. But before that, I will be back for both games tomorrow. Thank you all for joining. We’ve got David Thompson calling the Brisbane derby now. Take care and an early goodnight
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
A win is a win is a win. But given the quality of the Opponent, I think the Storm would be the first to say that they hardly covered themselves in glory this evening.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
A Win's a win, but beating the bottom side is hardly noteworthy. Dismal second half...... again. They will need a miracle next week.
GB
Roar Rookie
Enjoy the win Joe. Our two teams take their unimpressive form into a head-to-head clash next week. May the better team win. Commiserations in advance. :silly:
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
FULL TIME MEL 24 WST 12 Not perfect for the Storm, but a better performance as the Storm get their second win of the season. What will impress Craig Bellamy is the defensive effort to hold off the Tigers when they threw everything at them. As for the Tigers, how much longer before Tim Sheens’ job is under pressure? Their attack is directionless, not enough leadership from the spine and improvements are needed as panic stations are not far away from being hit for 2023.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Arnab, you must be wondering how you got the short straw tonight. Calling and watching tiger's matches is the ultimate death by a thousand cuts .
Joe
Roar Rookie
He isn't the only one who didn't just go for the line tonight with half a chance. Its like they're all trained to look for the pass or kick every time.