While it's not an Anzac Day clash again this year, today's contest between the One New Zealand Warriors and Melbourne is another huge occasion for the traditional rivals.
The sold out sign has gone up at AAMI Park with Melbourne confirming it has created a record as the fastest-selling regular season game in the club's history.
The Storm have dominated the Warriors since 2015 and on the back of their dazzling attacking display against Manly last Sunday they will go in as warm favourites on their home deck.
The return of halfback Jahrome Hughes a week ahead of schedule from a broken hand gave the Storm a massive boost, the Kiwi combining superbly with Cam Munster, Harry Grant and Ryan Papenhuyzen to give the Manly defence nightmares.
The Warriors have unearthed a star playmaker of their own in Luke Metcalf, who has made a seamless transition from five-eighth to halfback in 2025, steering his team to three wins on the bounce after a first-up defeat in Las Vegas.
It's also a big moment for loose forward Erin Clark as he makes his 100th career appearance.
Match: Storm v Warriors
Round 6 -
home Team
Storm
2nd Position
away Team
Warriors
6th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Team news
Storm: Coach Craig Bellamy has named the same 17 that ran Manly ragged at 4 Pines Park with Ryan Papenhuyzen and Xavier Coates good to go despite leaving the field early last Sunday as a precaution. Winger Will Warbrick and prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona remain sidelined after recent concussions. Joe Chan is listed as 18th man after Lazarus Vaalepu filled the role in Round 5. No changes in Saturday's 24-hour update, with Joe Chan and Kane Bradley remaining in the extended squad.
One New Zealand Warriors: Just the one change to the side that downed Wests Tigers before the bye with Rocco Berry's return from a hamstring injury shifting Adam Pompey to the wing and Ed Kosi to the reserves. No changes for the Warriors 24 hours out from kick off, with Tanah Boyd and Jacob Laban remaining in the reserves.
Match: Storm v Warriors
Round 6 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan PapenhuyzenFullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Grant AndersonWinger for Warriors is number 2 Taine Tuaupiki
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack HowarthCentre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
-
Centre for Storm is number 4 Moses LeoCentre for Warriors is number 4 Ali Leiataua
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Warriors is number 5 Adam Pompey
-
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 Luke Metcalf
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
-
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kurt Capewell
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent LoieroLock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran WishartInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Bunty Afoa
-
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Jackson Ford
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tui KamikamicaInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga
-
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Bronson GarlickInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Leka Halasima
Reserves
-
Replacement for Storm is number 18 Joe ChanReplacement for Warriors is number 18 Tanah Boyd
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat attack
- The Storm have won their last 16 games against the Warriors.
- The Warriors have not won at AAMI Park since 2014.
- Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored 10 tries in his past six games against the Warriors.
- Warriors forward Erin Clark will make his 100th NRL appearance.
- The Storm have won 22 of their past 24 games at AAMI Park.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
