The Storm are out to continue their mid-season resurgence when they travel north to take on the Sydney Roosters in a Friday night blockbuster.
The stakes couldn't be higher for both teams, with Melbourne desperate to keep in touch with the top eight.
Craig Bellamy's men secure two crucial competition points with a tight win over Gold Coast last weekend but they face a stern test against the third-placed Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Friday.
The Storm have climbed to 10th on the ladder and are now just four points outside the eight as they look to continue a remarkable finals streak alive, having missed the finals just once since 2002.
The Roosters battled their way past a willing Parramatta side last Saturday to solidify their place in the top four and they're out to keep the momentum rolling on their home turf.
Winger Mark Nawaqanitawase continues to do freakish things and will no doubt come up with another viral moment on Friday night, while Daly Cherry-Evans has found his home in the Roosters halves alongside youngster Sam Walker.
The Storm have been dealt a blow with the loss of Cam Munster to a knee injury, with hooker Harry Grant likely to player a bigger role in attack to accommodate the loss of the Queensland skipper.
Match: Roosters v Storm
Round 20 -
home Team
Roosters
3rd Position
away Team
Storm
11th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Roosters: The Roosters are 1-19 with no late changes. Skipper James Tedesco remains in the HIA protocols after his Origin Three head knock so Cody Ramsey again wears the No.1. Halfback Sam Walker and hooker Reece Robson return after a post-Origin rest so Connor Watson moves to the bench and Hugo Savala is listed in the centres with Rob Toia to be rested following a heavy schedule. "Rob has had a big campaign and at his age it is good to get some recovery out of him," coach Trent Robinson said on Thursday. Prop Lindsay Collins (concussion) remains sidelined, with a decision to be made early next week on whether he faces the Knights in Round 21. No changes in Thursday's 24-hour update.
Storm: Winger Moses Leo is a late withdrawal due to illness, replaced by Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown in jersey No.19. Davvy Moale has been added to the six-man bench. Tyran Wishart and Trent Toelau team up in the halves for the first time with superstars Cameron Munster (knee cartilage) and Jahrome Hughes (hamstring soreness) both sidelined. Maroons gun Harry Grant is back in the starting line-up while former Dolphin Oryn Keeley will also start in his second game with the Storm, taking over from Joe Chan (back strain). The Storm have won eight of their last nine games against the Roosters.
Match: Roosters v Storm
Round 20 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Cody RamseyFullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi Faalogo
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy SmithCentre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Hugo SavalaCentre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Mark NawaqanitawaseWinger for Storm is number 19 Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Daly Cherry-EvansFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Tyran Wishart
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Storm is number 7 Trent Toelau
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu WhyteProp for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Spencer LeniuProp for Storm is number 10 Josh King
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Nat Butcher2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Cooper Clarke
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Oryn Keeley
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor WatsonInterchange for Storm is number 15 Jack Hetherington
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Salesi FoketiInterchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonald
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Egan ButcherInterchange for Storm is number 18 Stanley Huen
-
Interchange for Storm is number 20 Davvy Moale
Reserves
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 17 Taylor LosaluReserve for Storm is number 14 Gabriel Satrick
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 18 Rex BassingthwaighteReserve for Storm is number 16 Josiah Pahulu
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 19 Tommy Talau
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have won six from seven at Allianz Stadium this season.
- The Storm have won eight of their last nine games against the Roosters.
- Roosters right winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has scored 10 tries in his last eight games at Allianz Stadium.
- Storm winger Will Warbrick has scored seven tries in his last five games.
- Roosters left winger Daniel Tupou has scored six tries in his last six games against the Storm.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
The Roosters have their sights on a top-four finish. Don't miss the chance to watch a Friday night blockbuster, click here to secure your seats before they sell out.
