Sea Eagles v Storm: Aloiai eyes milestone; Stars stay on bench
The old foes will be back at it again with Manly keen to force their way into the top-four by making a statement against competition leaders the Storm.
These two sides have produced some ding-dong battles over the years - fought against each other in two grand finals not all that long ago in 2007 and 2008.
In more recent history, Melbourne has won four of the last six including the last three straight. But this is their first meeting in 2021 and Tom Trbojevic is on a roll.
Last week he ran in his third hat-trick in 11 clubs games - four if you count his three for NSW in Origin I.
But the Storm are very well catered for in the No.1 department with both Nicho Hynes and Ryan Papenhyzen in electric form this year.
The rundown
Team news
Sea Eagles: Toafofoa Sipley has again been promoted to the starting side on game day with Taniela Paseka going back to the bench.
Des Hasler's side has gone from depleted to fully stocked this season with Curtis Sironen's return to the NRL short-lived given the side's depth is at its healthiest this year.
Otherwise, it's steady as she goes for the Sea Eagles as they continue to push for a top-four spot.
Cade Cust and Curtis Sironen were the two players left out 24 hours before the match. Kurt De Luis was last man cut an hour before kick-off and Moses Suli is 18th man.
Hasler is the only current NRL coach with a winning record against Craig Bellamy (17-14).
Storm: In late changes an hour before kick-off Tom Eisenhuth has come into the starting side, Chris Lewis to the bench and Tepai Moeroa joins the 17. Jordan Grant has been relegated to 18th man. Trent Loiero was the last man cut.
Kenny Bromwich got through concussion protocols after failing a head injury assessment last week.
Jahrome Hughes (calf) is also good to go.
Isaac Lumelume and Cooper Johns were the two players left out the day before the match.
The Storm have won their past three games against the Sea Eagles.
Match: Sea Eagles v Storm
Round 21 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom TrbojevicFullback for Storm is number 1 Nicholas Hynes
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason SaabWinger for Storm is number 2 Dean Ieremia
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Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Brad ParkerCentre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Morgan HarperCentre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
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Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben GarrickWinger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
-
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Kieran ForanFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Martin TaupauProp for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
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Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan CrokerHooker for Storm is number 9 Brandon Smith
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 17 Toafofoa SipleyProp for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Josh Schuster2nd Row for Storm is number 15 Tom Eisenhuth
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Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Storm is number 13 Dale Finucane
Interchange
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela PasekaInterchange for Storm is number 11 Chris Lewis
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Dylan WalkerInterchange for Storm is number 14 Harry Grant
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Karl LawtonInterchange for Storm is number 17 Ryan Papenhuyzen
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Josh AloiaiInterchange for Storm is number 19 Tepai Moeroa
Reserves
-
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 18 Moses SuliReserve for Storm is number 16 Jordan Grant
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Peter Gough
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Morgan Harper v Justin Olam: If you don't turn up for a day standing opposite Olam ready for an almighty physical battle you are in for a shock. Equally as punishing in both attack and defence, Olam will provide Harper with a stern challenge in this one.
Stat attack
Melbourne centre Justin Olam has scored two career hat-tricks and both have come against the Sea Eagles - his first in 2019 and the other one last year.
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