Storm v Raiders: Hughes returns; Star duo rested and ready
Having met in two of the past three Telstra Premiership finals series, the Storm and Raiders have some recent history which adds to an already intriguing match up on Saturday.
The last time they met in week one of the finals was in 2019 and saw the fourth-placed Raiders travel to AAMI Park and upset the top-ranked Storm 12-10, while a year later Melbourne got one back by hammering Canberra 30-10 in the preliminary final to deny the Green Machine a spot in the decider.
This time around both sides have finished outside of the top four and require a win to keep their season alive.
Victories were shared in earlier meetings this year, with the Storm 30-16 winners in Wagga Wagga in round 5 and the Raiders winning 20-16 in Melbourne in round 18.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Storm v Raiders
The Rundown
Team news
Storm: Brandon Smith and Tui Kamikamica will start the game with Felise Kaufusi and Josh King going back to the bench in a late change on game day. Halfback Jahrome Hughes returns after missing Round 25 with calf tightness. Kenny Bromwich (head knock) and Nick Meaney (shoulder) are right to go after they were injured against the Eels. Young Tonumaipe'a is 18th Man.
Raiders: The Raiders are 1-17 with no late changes. Afer being rested last week, playmaker Jack Wighton and experienced back-rower Elliott Whitehead are back on deck for the trip to Melbourne. Corey Harawira-Naera reverts to the bench, Matt Frawley goes to the reserves and Albert Hopoate is 18th Man.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick MeaneyFullback for Raiders is number 1 Xavier Savage
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Winger for Storm is number 2 David NofoalumaWinger for Raiders is number 2 Nick Cotric
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Centre for Storm is number 3 Marion SeveCentre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
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Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin OlamCentre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
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Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
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Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
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Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
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Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse BromwichProp for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
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Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford
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Prop for Storm is number 10 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
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2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
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2nd Row for Storm is number 15 Tui Kamikamica2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
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Lock for Storm is number 14 Brandon SmithLock for Raiders is number 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange
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Interchange for Storm is number 11 Felise KaufusiInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
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Interchange for Storm is number 13 Josh KingInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
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Interchange for Storm is number 16 Trent LoieroInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Corey Horsburgh
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Interchange for Storm is number 17 Chris LewisInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey Harawira-Naera
Reserves
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Replacement for Storm is number 18 Young TonumaipeaReplacement for Raiders is number 18 Albert Hopoate
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Cameron Munster v Jack Wighton: Arguably the two most important players in this game when it comes to generating scoring opportunities. Both are capable of doing it on their own through their ability to run the ball, with Munster averaging 141 run metres per game this year and Wighton 98, while they are also the key men when it comes to unlocking their fellow backline stars. In 21 games this year Munster has 15 try assists, while Wighton has set up nine four-pointers in 2022.
Stat Attack
Don't count on the Storm being able to rely on any home field advantage this weekend, with both of these sides enjoying great recent success against each other as the away team. Neither team has lost a game in their last four visits to the other's home stadium, with the Raiders winning four-straight at AAMI Park and the Storm winning in all four of their trips to GIO Stadium since 2017.
Match: Storm v Raiders
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Storm
5th Position
away Team
Raiders
8th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
