Cameron Munster returns as Melbourne’s fading finals hopes go on the line against a Manly side desperate to stay within touching distance of the top eight. With both teams needing a win, expect a fierce battle in Perth.

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Matchday Details

Saturday 8 August – 3:00pm (AEST) – HBF Park, Perth
📺 Broadcast: Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Kieren Irons | Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy

Melbourne Storm: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo, 2. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown, 3. Jack Howarth, 4. Nick Meaney, 5. Moses Leo, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Hayden Watson, 8. Stefano Utoikamanu, 9. Tyran Wishart, 10. Josh King, 11. Cooper Clarke, 12. Oryn Keeley, 13. Trent Loiero, 14. Trent Toelau, 15. Shawn Blore, 16. Davvy Moale, 17. Angus Hinchey, 18. Joe Chan, 19. Jack Hetherington, 20. Gabriel Satrick, 21. Stanley Huen, 22. Manaia Waitere.

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles: 1. Lehi Hopoate, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Tolutau Koula, 4. Reuben Garrick, 5. Blake Wilson, 6. Joey Walsh, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Taniela Paseka, 9. Brandon Wakeham, 10. Ethan Bullemor, 11. Haumole Olakau’atu, 12. Corey Waddell, 13. Jake Trbojevic (c), 14. Jake Simpkin, 15. Nathan Brown, 16. Simione Laiafi, 17. Fletcher Baker, 18. Jackson Shereb, 19. Josh Feledy, 20. Onitoni Large, 21. Nicholas Lenaz, 22. Hugo Hart.

Match Preview

Super Saturday for Round 23 kicks off in Perth, as the Storm take on the Sea Eagles in a crucial clash between two heated rivals.

The Storm sit in 12th and are coming off a 36-22 loss to the Bulldogs last week. While they’re still a mathematical chance to make the finals, they must win all their remaining games. On the flip side, the Sea Eagles sit in 10th and should be fresh after coming off their last bye in Round 22. They need to keep winning to stay in touch with the pack of teams hunting for a top eight spot.

For the Storm, there’s a huge inclusion with Cameron Munster named to return from a knee injury at five-eighth. Tyran Wishart shifts to hooker, with Trent Toelau moving to the bench. Jack Howarth returns at centre, with Manaia Waitere dropping to the reserves. Davvy Moale joins the six-man bench in place of Alec MacDonald, who’s out with concussion.

For the Sea Eagles, there’s no Tom Trbojevic as he continues to recover from a hamstring strain. Tolutau Koula moves back to centre in place of Josh Feledy, who drops to the reserves. Blake Wilson is named to start on the wing. Brandon Wakeham returns from injury at hooker, with Jake Simpkin moving to the bench. Corey Waddell returns in the second row as cover for Ben Trbojevic, who’s still out due to concussion. Kobe Hetherington is out after suffering a bicep injury at training during the week. He’s replaced on the bench by Fletcher Baker.

The key for the Storm will be the return of Munster. With Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes both still sidelined, Munster’s return couldn’t have come at a more crucial time for the Storm. Their season is hanging by a thread and they’ve been missing some big game experience in their spine of late. With Munster back, he has the ability to bring some x-factor and target the Sea Eagles’ edge defence that has been shaky at best in recent times. How he combines with Sua Faalogo, Wishart, and youngster Hayden Watson will shape the outcome of the game for the Storm.

The key for the Sea Eagles is fixing the holes in their defence and limiting the big plays from the Storm spine. Over their last four games they’ve conceded 128 points at an average of 32 points per game, which simply needs to improve if they’re to make the finals. Waddell’s return on the left edge should help young gun Joey Walsh, who’s struggled on that side of the field defensively. They’ve also moved Koula back at centre outside him, which should further bolster that side. The Storm will rely on their spine to get the victory if the game is close, so the Sea Eagles’ kick chase needs to limit Faalogo’s metres and line breaks, as well as keep plenty of pressure on Wishart and the returning Munster. Easier said than done.

The Storm have won four of the six games they’ve played in Perth. Jason Saab has scored eight tries in his last eight games against the Storm.

Prediction

RLZ Tip: Storm by 8.
Full Round 23 tips → /nrl-round-23-predictions-2026/
Bold call: Cameron Munster scores the game-sealing try on his return from injury.

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Brendan Wood

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