The Newcastle Knights are a top-eight team for the first time in a long time, but have they got what it takes to stop the Storm?
Melbourne have dominated this match-up traditionally and in the past five years in particular; the Knights haven't beaten the Storm since 2015. Last year it was a 34-4 demolition at AAMI Park and in June Melbourne prevailed 26-12 in Newcastle's makeshift home of Central Coast Stadium.
And there's no sign things will get much easier for the men in red and blue this week. Melbourne are in red-hot form – since losing to league leaders Penrith in round six they've reeled off five straight wins, including victories over both last year's grand finalists and three games in which they've scored more than 40 points.
Last week they recovered from a poor first half to pile on 46 against Brisbane.
But the Knights have reason to be quietly confident themselves. Their defence is looking much improved this season – conceding more than 20 points just twice since the season resumed in round two (including that loss to Melbourne).
Attacking weapons Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best both found form in recent weeks after a lean few rounds. And coach Adam O'Brien knows the Storm back to front after spending 11 years as an assistant coach at the club.
Match: Storm v Knights
Round 12 -
home Team
Storm
2nd Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast
The Rundown
Team news
Storm: Prop Jesse Bromwich (No.21) is a confirmed starter for the Storm after overcoming an MCL injury. He will start the match, with Nelson Asofa-Solomona dropping back to the bench. In the other late change, centre Justin Olam is out, with Tom Eisenhuth named to start in the centres. Olam and Darryn Schonig were the last two players dropped from the squad.
Marion Seve replaces Brenko Lee (broken hand) at centre. Tom Eisenhuth returns from a hamstring injury on the bench in place of Paul Momirovski (finger). Albert Vete and Ryley Jacks were omitted from the extended bench 24 hours before kick-off.
Knights: The Knights will start 1-17 after Tex Hoy and Jirah Momisea were the two players left out an hour before kick-off. Chris Randall comes in at hooker for his second NRL game following season-ending injuries to Andrew McCullough and Connor Watson. Sione Mata'utia (syndesmosis) is also out with Aidan Guerra starting in the back row.
Phoenix Crossland and Josh King join the interchange. Mason Lino and Matt Croker dropped off the reserves on Saturday. Only seven Knights players have achieved an NRL victory over the Storm.
Match: Storm v Knights
Round 12 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan PapenhuyzenFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Suliasi VunivaluWinger for Knights is number 2 Enari Tuala
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Marion SeveCentre for Knights is number 3 Tautau Moga
-
Centre for Storm is number 17 Tom EisenhuthCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Knights is number 5 Hymel Hunt
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kurt Mann
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Knights is number 7 Mitchell Pearce
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Christian WelchProp for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
-
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Cameron SmithHooker for Knights is number 9 Chris Randall
-
Prop for Storm is number 21 Jesse BromwichProp for Knights is number 10 Jacob Saifiti
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Aidan Guerra
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Dale FinucaneLock for Knights is number 13 Mitchell Barnett
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 8 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaInterchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Brandon SmithInterchange for Knights is number 15 Josh King
-
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Tino Fa'asuamaleauiInterchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami Saulo
-
Interchange for Storm is number 19 Nicholas HynesInterchange for Knights is number 17 Herman Ese'ese
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Ryan Papenhuyzen v Kalyn Ponga. Two of the most electrifying fullbacks in rugby league go head-to-head this week, with Papenhuyzen fresh from a second-half bonanza against Brisbane and Ponga the man Newcastle will rely on if they are to keep it close against Melbourne.
This pair are renowned for their speed and footwork but are also under-rated playmakers. If Ponga has an off game it's hard to see the Knights winning; if Papenhuyzen has a big one it's hard to see Melbourne losing.
Stat Attack
Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith hit the top of the goal-kicking leaderboard for 2020 at the end of last week's win over Brisbane and also brought up 2700 career points, the first player ever to reach that milestone.
