A fascinating Friday night clash at AAMI Park sees the resurgent Storm take on a red-hot Knights outfit, with both sides building momentum in very different ways. With Melbourne finding form and Newcastle surging into the top four, this shapes as a genuine litmus test for two teams chasing a strong run toward finals.

Matchday Details

Friday, 5 June 2026 – 6:00pm AEST – AAMI Park, Melbourne
📺 Kayo / Foxtel
Referee: Ashley Klein | Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Melbourne Storm: 1. Sualauvi Fa’alogo, 2. Will Warbrick, 3. Jack Howarth, 4. Manaia Waitere, 5. Moses Leo, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Stefano Utoikamanu, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Josh King, 11. Cooper Clarke, 12. Ativalu Lisati, 13. Trent Loiero, 14. Trent Toelau, 15. Alec MacDonald, 16. Jack Hetherington, 17. Josiah Pahulu, 18. Joe Chan, 19. Manaia Waitere, 20. Shawn Blore, 21. Keagan Russell-Smith, 22. Angus Hinchey

Newcastle Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga (c), 2. Dominic Young, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Fletcher Hunt, 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. Fletcher Sharpe, 7. Dylan Brown, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Phoenix Crossland, 10. Trey Mooney, 11. Dylan Lucas, 12. Jermaine McEwen, 13. Mat Croker, 14. Harrison Graham, 15. Tyson Frizell, 16. Pasami Saulo, 17. Thomas Cant, 18. Cody Hopwood, 19. Francis Manuleleua, 20. James Schiller, 21. Kyle McCarthy, 22. Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana

Match Preview

At the start of 2026, few would have been surprised by a Round 14 clash between the Melbourne Storm and Newcastle Knights featuring one team in the top four and the other outside it.

What may have surprised many is that Newcastle sit fourth and Melbourne 13th — a reflection of how differently their seasons have unfolded heading into Friday night’s clash at AAMI Park.

The Storm are gradually rediscovering form after a slow start, winning three of their past four matches. Meanwhile, the Knights have surged up the ladder with four consecutive wins, averaging 37.5 points per game during that period.

Nick Meaney is the only notable omission for the Storm following their 18–4 win over the Roosters, sidelined for 4–6 weeks with a calf strain. Manaia Waitere moves into the starting side, while Harry Grant returns to the starting lineup, with Trent Toelau shifting back to the bench after covering the role post-Origin I. Former Titan Josiah Pahulu has been named on the interchange and could make his first Storm appearance, while Shawn Blore (concussion) and Joe Chan are also in contention to return.

There is just one change for the Knights, with Sandon Smith ruled out due to a calf injury. Fletcher Sharpe shifts to five-eighth, Fletcher Hunt moves into the centres, and Tom Cant, Cody Hopwood, and Francis Manuleleua retain their places on the bench. Jermaine McEwen has been named in the back row but was referred to the NRL Integrity Unit on Wednesday after allegedly being charged with drink driving.

The Storm executed the basics well in their win over the Roosters, completing at 91%, missing just 20 tackles, and conceding only one try. Defence was a major issue earlier in the season, but recent improvements have been key to their resurgence. However, their second-half lapses — including the loss to Canterbury — remain an area to address.

After a strong start to the season, the Knights suffered three heavy defeats between Rounds 6 and 8. Since then, they have responded impressively, scoring 150 points and conceding 82 across four straight wins. The attacking form of Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown, alongside forwards like Dylan Lucas and Harrison Graham, has driven their climb into the top four.

The key matchup in this contest is at fullback, with Sualauvi Fa’alogo up against Ponga. Both are in outstanding form. Fa’alogo ranks near the top of the competition in total run metres, line breaks, and tackle breaks, while Ponga — despite playing fewer games — sits among the leaders in average try assists, line-break assists, and tackle breaks. Ponga will be eager to move on from his Origin send-off, while Fa’alogo will be looking to outshine one of the game’s elite fullbacks.

This will be the 50th meeting between the two sides, with Melbourne holding a dominant 32–17 record. The past four matches have been evenly split, but prior to that the Storm had won 11 straight. Newcastle have historically struggled in Melbourne, winning just five of 26 matches, including only two victories at AAMI Park.

Dane Gagai and Dylan Brown are the only players in Newcastle’s squad to have previously won a first-grade match at AAMI Park.

Prediction

RLZ Tip: Storm by 4
Full Round 14 tips →
Bold call: Storm win with a Golden Point try.

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Lachlan Jeffery
Panthers lower grades reporter for The Western Weekender.

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