Storm v Eels: Big names return; Fergo to fill Sivo void
The Eels steadied the ship with a morale-boosting win over the Cowboys but they'll to go up another couple of gears if they are to trouble the competition leaders.
On a positive note for the Eels they did beat Melbourne back in round two at Bankwest Stadium, one of only two sides to lower the colours of Craig Bellamy's men in 2021.
The Storm lost again a week later to the Panthers and remarkably have not tasted defeat since - winning 19 on the trot to equal the all time record set by the 1975 Eastern Suburbs team.
With Ryan Papenhuyzen finding his feet and some key men refreshed after a week off in round 23 the Storm will be hot favourites to make more history on Saturday but the Eels have their mojo back and are sure to provide a stern test.
Match: Storm v Eels
Round 24 -
home Team
Storm
1st Position
away Team
Eels
5th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The rundown
Team news
Storm: Late changes for the Storm with Isaac Lumelume and Tepai Moeroa moving into the 17 and Dean Ieremia and Chris Lewis dropping out.
Harry Grant will start at hooker with Brandon Smith going to lock and Lewis to 18th man.
Jahrome Hughes (concussion) and Tui Kamikamica (calf) have trained with the side this week with Kamikamica moved from the reserves to the interchange bench 24 hours before the match.
Hughes replaces Nicho Hynes at halfback, forcing the utility to the interchange.
Brandon Smith and Justin Olam are also back after they were rested in round 23.
Aaron Pene and Marion Seve were the two players left out 24 hours before the game.
The Storm will be aiming to break the premiership record of 19 consecutive wins.
Eels: The Eels are 1-17 with no late changes.
Blake Ferguson (calf) has been named to return after overcoming a calf injury.
Ferguson's return is timely given Maika Sivo's year came to an abrupt end following confirmation he ruptured his ACL last week.
Ray Stone replaces Will Smith on the bench which could see the forward utility share hooking duties with Joey Lussick.
Sean Russell and Jake Arthur were cut from the squad on Friday and Will Smith was the last man omitted an hour before kick-off, Oregon Kaufusi is 18th man.
The Eels have won two of their past three games against the Storm.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan PapenhuyzenFullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Eels is number 2 Haze Dunster
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis SmithCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
-
Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin OlamCentre for Eels is number 4 Waqa Blake
-
Winger for Storm is number 19 Isaac LumelumeWinger for Eels is number 5 Blake Ferguson
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse BromwichProp for Eels is number 8 Isaiah Papali'i
-
Hooker for Storm is number 14 Harry GrantHooker for Eels is number 9 Joey Lussick
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Christian WelchProp for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Marata Niukore
-
Lock for Storm is number 9 Brandon SmithLock for Eels is number 13 Nathan Brown
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tom EisenhuthInterchange for Eels is number 14 Ray Stone
-
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Nicholas HynesInterchange for Eels is number 15 Bryce Cartwright
-
Interchange for Storm is number 18 Tui KamikamicaInterchange for Eels is number 16 Makahesi Makatoa
-
Interchange for Storm is number 20 Tepai MoeroaInterchange for Eels is number 17 Keegan Hipgrave
Reserves
-
Reserve for Storm is number 13 Chris LewisReserve for Eels is number 19 Oregon Kaufusi
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara
Last updated:
Key match-up
Cameron Munster v Dylan Brown: The Storm supremo put a modest first half behind him against the Raiders to produce a majestic second 40 which laid the foundation for yet another Melbourne win. A proven big-game performer, Munster would love nothing better than putting one over a side they could well meet again during the finals. Brown should have taken plenty of confidence out of the Cowboys game and his speed and swerve will keep the Storm defence on its toes.
Stat attack
Flying winger Josh Addo-Carr needs just one try to break the record for most four-pointers in a season for the Storm. 'The Foxx' already owns a share of the club record with Suliasi Vunivalu but a little slice of history is there for the taking should he find his way to the tryline against the Eels this week or in the final round against the Sharks.
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