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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

  • Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
    Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Xavier Savage
  • Winger for Storm is number 2 David Nofoaluma
    Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick Cotric
  • Centre for Storm is number 3 Marion Seve
    Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
  • Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
    Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
  • Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
    Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
  • Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
    Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
  • Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
    Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Forwards

  • Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
    Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
  • Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
    Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford
  • Prop for Storm is number 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
    Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 15 Tui Kamikamica
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
  • Lock for Storm is number 14 Brandon Smith
    Lock for Raiders is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

  • Interchange for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
    Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
  • Interchange for Storm is number 13 Josh King
    Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
  • Interchange for Storm is number 16 Trent Loiero
    Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Corey Horsburgh
  • Interchange for Storm is number 17 Chris Lewis
    Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey Harawira-Naera

Reserves

  • Replacement for Storm is number 18 Young Tonumaipea
    Replacement 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. 

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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