The latest chapter in one of the game's great modern-day rivalries will be written at AAMI Park on Saturday night when the Storm host the Sea Eagles.
The Storm have gone about their business in typically methodical fashion to string together six wins on the trot while Manly are 3-3 in their past six matches as their rollercoaster season continues.
With Tom Trbojevic settling into his new role at centre and Lehi Hopoate a constant threat from the back, Manly have the firepower to rack up a winning score but in the Storm they confront the second-best defence in the NRL.
The purple wall has given up just 18.5ppg through 16 matches although they did concede 24 points to the Sea Eagles in Round 5 so the likes of Harry Grant, Trent Loiero and Eli Katoa will be keen to make a statement with their defence at home.
Match: Storm v Sea Eagles
Round 20 -
home Team
Storm
2nd Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
7th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Storm: Ryan Papenhuyzen's return from calf tightness has been delayed by at least another week, with Nick Meaney to start at fullback. In positive news, Xavier Coates is back on deck after being rested last week, with Queensland skipper Cameron Munster also slated to return. Coates' return will see Grant Anderson shift to the centres and Joe Chan move to 18th man. Trent Loiero is also back in the starting side, with Tui Kamikamica shifting to the bench and Jonah Pezet moving to the reserves.
Sea Eagles: No changes to the side that defeated the Rabbitohs before last week's bye, with Tom Trbojevic remaining in the centres and Lehi Hopoate at fullback. Lachlan Croker's return from concussion remains at least a week away and he was not listed in the extended squad.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick MeaneyFullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Lehi Hopoate
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Winger for Storm is number 2 Kane BradleyWinger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
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Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack HowarthCentre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula
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Centre for Storm is number 4 Grant AndersonCentre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tom Trbojevic
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Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben Garrick
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Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks
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Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans
Forwards
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Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Sea Eagles is number 8 Matthew Lodge
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Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jazz Tevaga
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Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Sea Eagles is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
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2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Corey Waddell
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2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic
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Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent LoieroLock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
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Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran WishartInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Jake Simpkin
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Interchange for Storm is number 15 Tui KamikamicaInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Tommy Talau
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Interchange for Storm is number 16 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
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Interchange for Storm is number 17 Ativalu LisatiInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Toafofoa Sipley
Reserves
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Replacement for Storm is number 18 Joe ChanReplacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Aaron Schoupp
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Reserve for Storm is number 19 Bronson GarlickReserve for Sea Eagles is number 19 Clayton Faulalo
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Reserve for Storm is number 20 Jonah PezetReserve for Sea Eagles is number 20 Caleb Navale
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Reserve for Storm is number 21 Siulagi Tuimalatu-BrownReserve for Sea Eagles is number 21 Joey Walsh
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Reserve for Storm is number 22 Lazarus VaalepuReserve for Sea Eagles is number 22 Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Storm Ins
- Cameron Munster
- Lazarus Vaalepu
- Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown
- Xavier Coates
Sea Eagles Ins
- Aaron Schoupp
- Caleb Navale
- Clayton Faulalo
- Gordon Chan Kum Tong
- Joey Walsh
Storm Outs
Sea Eagles Ins
- Michael Chee Kam
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm have won their last 10 games at AAMI Park.
- The Sea Eagles have not won in Melbourne since 2019.
- Storm second-rower Eliesa Katoa has scored six tries in seven games at AAMI Park this season.
- Sea Eagles forward Ethan Bullemor will reach the milestone of 100 NRL games.
- Storm centre Nick Meaney will play his 150th NRL game.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
