Match preview: Indigenous Round v Dolphins
After a confidence-boosting win over the high-flying Broncos, Melbourne will hit the road this weekend as they take on a Dolphins side feeling fresh after enjoying a week off with the bye.
The Storm were made to work for the two points in Round 11 but will certainly take plenty from a 24-16 win that has them just two points off the top of the table despite an up-and-down year so far.
Craig Bellamy will know his side are up against another tough challenge this week as they take on supercoach Wayne Bennett for his 901st career game.
Bennett's Dolphins were humming at Magic Round as they dispatched of Cronulla with a first-half attacking blitz, and will no doubt be eager to build on their Suncorp success this week with several injured troops back on deck.
All eyes will be on the return of Felise Kaufusi, Kenny and Jesse Bromwich as they face off against their Storm for the first time since departing at the end of 2022 to join the NRL's newest franchise, while Jarrod Wallace is tracking towards the 200th NRL game of his career.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Dolphins v Storm
Team News
Dolphins: Captain Jesse Bromwich (hamstring) and centre Brenko Lee (hamstring) will both make their return from injury, while Ray Stone (head knock) is also back on deck. Mark Nicholls will be at least another week away in his return from a thumb injury, after dropping out of the squad on Friday night.
Storm: Tui Kamikamica moves from the interchange to start in the front-row in a late swap with Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who copped a knock to the ribs last week. Grant Anderson replaced Tom Eisenhuth on the interchange in the only change in the 24-hour update. Tariq Sims is 18th man.
Match: Dolphins v Storm
Round 12 -
home Team
Dolphins
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-FidowFullback for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
-
Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne IsaakoWinger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
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Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Euan AitkenCentre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
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Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Brenko LeeCentre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
-
Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Tesi NiuWinger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
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Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi NikorimaFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
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Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya KatoaHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
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Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse BromwichProp for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
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Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-KingHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
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Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Kenneath BromwichProp for Storm is number 17 Tui Kamikamica
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2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Trent Loiero
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2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Connelly Lemuelu2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
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Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Tom GilbertLock for Storm is number 13 Josh King
Interchange
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Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Jarrod WallaceInterchange for Storm is number 8 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
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Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Anthony MilfordInterchange for Storm is number 14 Bronson Garlick
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Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Ray StoneInterchange for Storm is number 15 Aaron Pene
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Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Herman Ese'eseInterchange for Storm is number 18 Grant Anderson
Reserves
-
Replacement for Dolphins is number 22 JJ CollinsReplacement for Storm is number 19 Tariq Sims
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- No player is averaging more points per game than Jamayne Isaako (10.8).
- The Dolphins and Storm both rank in the top four for set completion at 81%.
- The Dolphins have made the fewest errors of any side with 85.
- Jeremy Marshall-King and Jamayne Isaako are both yet to win against the Storm through five and six games respectively.
- The Storm require 14 points for 1,000 points at Suncorp Stadium.
- Storm winger Will Warbrick has scored five tries in his past six games.
- Dolphins winger Tesi Niu has scored four tries in his past three games.
- Dolphins prop Jarrod Wallace will play his 200th NRL game.
Match: Dolphins v Storm
Round 12 -
home Team
Dolphins
6th Position
away Team
Storm
5th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
