Team Announcement: Round 1 v Panthers

Author: melbournestorm.com.au
Timestamp: Tue 5 Mar 2024, 03:59 PM

Craig Bellamy has named his first starting line-up of the 2024 NRL season as the club gears up to take on reigning Premiers, Penrith Panthers, on Friday night.

With several players getting a solid hit-out across the two pre-season challenge games, Bellamy has named a squad boasting plenty of NRL experience as well as some fresher faces.

Round 1 of the 2024 season will see fan-favourite, Ryan Papenhuyzen, return to the starting fullback position, with Nick Meaney maintaining the centre position he held in both trials.

After battling a minor groin complaint, star five-eighth Cameron Munster has been named for the blockbuster clash.

Josh King starts in the front row alongside Tui Kamikamica, with Trent Loiero starting at lock for what will be his 50th NRL and Storm game.

After earning his NRL debut in Round 27 last season, Joe Chan gets the nod for the starting second row spot.

A bench boasting plenty of versatility, Tyran Wishart will wear the No.14 jersey while Sunshine Coast Falcons Forward of the Year Chris Lewis earns a spot on the pine alongside Alec MacDonald and Christian Welch.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been managing a hamstring injury but has returned to full training, with the potential of returning via the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the HostPlus Cup.

New recruit Shawn Blore has been named as 18th man.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Friday 8 Mar

Full Time

Storm

Panthers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick

Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith

Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney

Centre for Panthers is number 4 Taylan May
Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates

Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 20 Jonah Pezet

Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Forwards

Prop for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica

Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant

Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Luke Sommerton
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh King

Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Joe Chan

2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Luke Garner
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa

2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero

Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Interchange

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart

Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay Smith
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Christian Welch

Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam Henry
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Chris Lewis

Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Matthew Eisenhuth
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonald

Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Soni Luke