Match Preview: Round 18 v Raiders
Consecutive losses to Manly and Cronulla have set the Storm back on their heels but they'll be hoping a return to home soil can spark a turnaround on Sunday.
The Storm have been in out of sorts in attack with Cameron Munster missing and their defence will be causing headaches for coach Craig Bellamy with 64 points conceded in the past two weeks.
Canberra had a chance to recharge the batteries with a bye and they remain very much in the finals hunt with games against the Warriors, Titans, Knights and Tigers still to come.
The Raiders' star five-eighth Jack Wighton may have been unlucky to miss out on Origin selection but the flip side is he'll be fresh and ready to fire against the Storm.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Storm v Raiders
The Rundown
Team news
Storm: No late changes on game day with Cameron Munster returning at five-eighth after COVID ruled him out of Origin so Nick Meaney goes back to the wing. Harry Grant will also back up after playing for Queensland. Felise Kaufusi has returned from personal leave in the USA and comes into the back row with Chris Lewis dropping to the reserves. Hooker Brandon Smith will miss the next three games after he was banned at the judiciary on Tuesday for contrary conduct. Kenny Bromwich (ankle) has been named to play.
Raiders: Game day change to Ricky Stuart's side sees Corey Harawira-Naera moving to Lock and Ryan Sutton to the bench. Adam Elliott and James Schiller came into the starting side on Saturday with skipper Elliott Whitehead and Nick Cotric out. Corey Horsburgh has dropped off the bench and Emre Guler and Albert Hopoate are the new faces on the interchange.
Maroons prop Josh Papali'i will start at prop after the Origin decider. Jack Wighton was part of the extended NSW squad but he'll be on deck for the Green Machine.
Match: Storm v Raiders
Round 18 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan PapenhuyzenFullback for Raiders is number 1 Xavier Savage
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Winger for Storm is number 2 Nick MeaneyWinger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
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Centre for Storm is number 3 Marion SeveCentre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
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Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin OlamCentre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
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Winger for Storm is number 5 Dean IeremiaWinger for Raiders is number 15 James Schiller
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Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
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Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
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Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse BromwichProp for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
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Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford
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Prop for Storm is number 10 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
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2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
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2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich2nd Row for Raiders is number 16 Adam Elliott
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Lock for Storm is number 13 Josh KingLock for Raiders is number 20 Corey Harawira-Naera
Interchange
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Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran WishartInterchange for Raiders is number 13 Ryan Sutton
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Interchange for Storm is number 15 Tui KamikamicaInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
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Interchange for Storm is number 16 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Raiders is number 21 Emre Guler
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Interchange for Storm is number 17 Jordan GrantInterchange for Raiders is number 22 Albert Hopoate
Reserves
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Replacement for Storm is number 19 Chris LewisReplacement for Raiders is number 18 Brad Schneider
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Key match-up
Jahrome Hughes vs Jamal Fogarty: If the Storm are to get back on track after two disappointing performances their No.7 will need to be at the heart of the revival. The 27-year-old tries his guts out every week, darting and scheming, kicking long and short to try and get Melbourne on the front foot, so the Raiders need to be on high alert to try and negate his influence. Fogarty has strung together five games on the trot after injury cost him the first half of the season and he's a key figure in Ricky Stuart's plans. Watch for Fogarty to take the line on at every opportunity and expose any lazy defenders around the ruck.
Stat Attack
The Storm sit second in the NRL for line breaks with 91, behind only Cronulla (94). The Raiders have mustered just 52 line breaks across 16 games to sit equal last in the category with the Bulldogs.
Match: Storm v Raiders
Round 18 -
home Team
Storm
4th Position
away Team
Raiders
10th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
