Wests Tigers have shown significant improvement during the past six weeks but still find themselves equal last on the ladder with the Dragons and staring at a 12th consecutive season out of the finals.
The Tigers' loss to the Titans was compounded by injuries to stars Api Koroisau and Luke Brooks, robbing them of much of their strike power for at least their next four games against the Storm, Cowboys, Sharks and Knights.
The Storm are coming off a huge win over the Sharks but find themselves in the middle of the testing Origin period when their dynamic duo Cameron Munster and Harry Grant are in camp with Queensland, leaving Kiwi halfback Jahrome Hughes to call the shots and rally the troops.
Should the Storm be able to get the job done in Tigertown this week they will set their sights on big games against Manly and Penrith with Munster, Grant and winger Xavier Coates back on deck before a bye in Round 19.
The Storm have won eight of their past 10 clashes against the Tigers, including a 24-12 victory at AAMI Park in Round 4 when 10 of Melbourne's starting 13 ran for more than 100 metres.
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Team News
Wests Tigers: No changes on game day for the home side. The loss of halfback Luke Brooks (hamstring) sees Brandon Wakeham shifting to No.7, Starford To'a named at five-eighth and Brent Naden returning in the centres alongside Asu Kepaoa. With Api Koroisau (jaw) also out, Jake Simpkin takes over at hooker and teenager Tallyn Da Silva joins the bench for his NRL debut. The 18-year-old hooker was a member of Wests Magpies premiership-winning Harold Matthews Cup team last year, and has played SG Ball, Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup in 2023. Stefano Utoikamanu's Blues call-up sees Fonua Pole move into the starting side at prop. Alex Seyfarth has been added to the bench.
Storm: Several game day changes with Thomas Eisenhuth to start at prop and Nelson Asofa-Solomona shift to second row in place of Tariq Sims who moved to the bench. Reimis Smith (hamstring) has been named in the centres while Justin Olam (head knock) is again being rested. Back-rower Eliesa Katoa (eye) is out while George Jennings comes in on the wing for his first NRL game since Round 1, 2022 and Jonah Pezet is the new five-eighth. Bronson Garlick takes over at hooker and Aaron Pene has been added to the bench. A change on Friday saw Kane Bradley joining the bench and Alec MacDonald dropping out.
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Stat Attack
- The Tigers' tally of 166 offloads is second only to the Eels (180).
- Storm fullback Nick Meaney has scored six tries in his past six games against Wests Tigers.
- Wests Tigers have lost their past seven games at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
- The Storm have won their past five games against Wests Tigers.
- Tigers five-eighth Brandon Wakeham has landed his last 13 attempts at goal.
- Storm fullback Nick Meaney requires 10 points to reach 500 career points.
- Tigers winger David Nofoaluma has scored 17 tries in 25 games at Campbelltown Stadium
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.