Matchday Details
Friday 1 May – 8:00pm (AEST) – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Ashley Klein | Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Trai Fuller, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Selwyn Cobbo, 6. Bradley Schneider, 7. Isaiya Katoa (c), 8. Tom Gilbert, 9. Max Plath, 10. Francis Molo, 11. Connelly Lemuelu, 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 13. Morgan Knowles, 14. Ray Stone, 15. Thomas Flegler, 16. Felise Kaufusi, 17. Oryn Keeley, 18. Lewis Symonds, 19. Tevita Naufahu, 20. John Fineanganofo, 21. Kurt Donoghoe, 22. Jack Bostock.
Melbourne Storm: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo, 2. Will Warbrick, 3. Jack Howarth, 4. Nick Meaney, 5. Hugo Peel, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Tyran Wishart, 8. Stefano Utoikamanu, 9. Harry Grant (c), 10. Josh King, 11. Shawn Blore, 12. Ativalu Lisati, 13. Alec MacDonald, 14. Trent Toelau, 15. Joe Chan, 16. Davvy Moale, 17. Trent Loiero, 18. Cooper Clarke, 19. Manaia Waitere, 20. Josiah Pahulu, 21. Moses Leo, 22. Jack Hetherington.
Match Preview
Suncorp Stadium is the stage for a fiery Friday night clash, as the Dolphins host the Storm. In previous years, the Storm’s record at Suncorp was a scary proposition for any side, but with the Storm languishing in 16th on the ladder, the Dolphins will be confident they can get a win with a home crowd advantage.
Last week, the Dolphins came close to pulling off an upset against the Warriors in New Zealand, going down 20-18. Meanwhile, the Storm were embarrassed on Anzac Day by the Rabbitohs, losing 48-6 in front of their home fans.
For the Dolphins, Trai Fuller starts at centre in place of Jake Averillo, who is out with a hand injury. Morgan Knowles returns from a calf injury at lock. Kurt Donoghoe and Jack Bostock are named in the reserves as both look to return from a hamstring and ACL injury respectively.
For the Storm, Jahrome Hughes is out after suffering a concussion last week. He’s replaced at halfback by Tyran Wishart. Hugo Peel is named to make his NRL debut on the wing. Cooper Clarke, Joe Chan, and Trent Loiero move to the bench, with Shawn Blore, Ativalu Lisati, and Alec MacDonold replacing them in the starting side. Trent Toelau is named on the bench in jersey 14 and is a chance to make his club debut.
The key for the Dolphins will be exploiting the edge defence of the Storm that has struggled keeping teams out over the past few weeks. The Dolphins have two hard running back-rowers in Connelly Lemuelu and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, who they can lean on to suck in the Storm defence. Add a playmaker like Isaiya Katoa to the mix, who knows when to play short and when to play long, and the outside backs will be in for a field day. Expect plenty of attention to go towards Peel in his debut game on the Storm’s left edge.
The key for the Storm is getting in the fight and staying in the fight for the full 80 minutes. Historically the Storm have been built on staunch defence, but after conceding 162 points in their last four games, they look like a shadow of themselves. Coach Craig Bellamy has made some changes to get some fresh faces in the starting forward pack. The return of Blore and Lisati will boost the edge defence, but it remains to be seen if they can overcome a Dolphins team that’s been tough to put away of late. To turn around this losing streak, the forward pack have to win the middle and maintain their discipline for long periods. If they can tire out the Dolphins’ outside backs by restricting them to tough carries out of their own end, they have a real chance at picking up a much-needed win.
The Storm have lost their past three games at Suncorp Stadium. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored 15 tries in his last 11 games at Suncorp Stadium.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Dolphins by 10.
Bold call: Dolphins centres Herbie Farnworth and Trai Fuller to both score doubles against the shaky Storm edge defence.
Related
- NRL Round 9 Predictions
- NRL Round 9 Team Lists
- NRL Round 9 Hub
- NRL Injury List
- NRL Match Review Tracker
