Striving to break eight-year Anzac Day drought
The now-traditional Anzac Day meeting between the Storm and Warriors closes out round seven at AAMI Park on Monday evening.
The Storm are unbeaten in this fixture since 2014 and the Warriors face a huge task to avoiding making it a seventh-straight loss up against the NRL's second-placed side.
The Warriors aren't travelling too badly, with a 3-3 start to the year putting them just outside the top eight on differential and coming off a close-fought loss to the Roosters in round six.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Storm v Warriors
The Rundown
Team news
Storm: No changes to the starting side for Craig Bellamy's outfit but one on the bench with Chris Lewis coming in for Tyran Wishart. Ryan Papenhuyzen will play despite an ankle injury last week. The Bromwich brothers return after a COVID layoff with Jesse starting at prop and Kenny in the back row.
Warriors: Jazz Tevaga comes into the side at lock after Kodi Nikorima (COVID-19) was omitted in the 24-hour team list. Josh Curran switches to the back row with Bayley Sironen moving to the bench alongside Taniela Otukolo, who replaces Eliesa Katoa.
Match: Storm v Warriors
Round 7 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan PapenhuyzenFullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece Walsh
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Nick MeaneyWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis SmithCentre for Warriors is number 3 Jesse Arthars
-
Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin OlamCentre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Warriors is number 5 Edward Kosi
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse BromwichProp for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
-
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaProp for Warriors is number 10 Matthew Lodge
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Euan Aitken
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2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich2nd Row for Warriors is number 13 Josh Curran
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Lock for Storm is number 13 Josh KingLock for Warriors is number 20 Jazz Tevaga
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Brandon SmithInterchange for Warriors is number 12 Bayley Sironen
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Trent LoieroInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty Afoa
-
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Tepai MoeroaInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Aaron Pene
-
Interchange for Storm is number 18 Chris LewisInterchange for Warriors is number 18 Taniela Otukolo
Reserves
-
Replacement for Storm is number 15 Tyran WishartReplacement for Warriors is number 22 Rocco Berry
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Key match-up
Nelson Asofa-Solomona v Matt Lodge: two of the fieriest props in the game going head-to-head should be worth the price of admission alone. The Warriors missed Lodge last week as he nursed a back complaint while big Nelson was dynamic against the Sharks in the absence of some senior Storm forwards.
Stat attack
Assuming Papenhuyzen shakes off that ankle injury he picked up last week, he has a chance to stretch his lead atop the leaderboard for most points (79), tries (eight) and goals (23) in the NRL this year.
Match: Storm v Warriors
Round 7 -
home Team
Storm
2nd Position
away Team
Warriors
11th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
