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.
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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.
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