The Sea Eagles are back on home turf at 4 Pines Park and looking to snap a three-game losing streak when they host the Storm on Friday night.
Manly's losses to the Raiders, Dolphins and Broncos have seen them drop from fourth to 10th on the ladder but the total losing margin across the three games is just seven points so it's not all doom and gloom at Brookvale.
The Storm sit in second after wiping the Eels off the park at Magic Round but a recurrence of a groin injury to star playmaker Cameron Munster could prove to be a pivotal moment in their season.
The club confirmed on Monday that Munster would miss 8-10 weeks while halfback Jahrome Hughes is no certainty to return from a calf injury that has kept him out of the past two games.
Hughes and Munster have played just five games together this season while the Sea Eagles' main men Daly Cherry-Evans and Luke Brooks have played every game, fine tuning a combination the club hopes can lead them back to the finals after a two-year absence.
The Sea Eagles have won three of four at home this season and will be hoping a bumper crowd at 4 Pines Park can help turn them turn three narrow losses into a morale-boosting victory.
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Team News
Sea Eagles: Tolutau Koula has been ruled out with a shoulder issue and is replaced by rookie Lehi Hopoate for his NRL debut. Jason Saab (shoulder) has been named to return earlier than expected. Nathan Brown has been named on the bench. Jaxson Paulo has dropped out of the squad an hour from kick-off.
Storm: Jahrome Hughes has been named to return from a calf injury and replaces Cam Munster (groin), pairing up with Tyran Wishart with Grant Anderson on the bench. Bronson Garlick is the 18th player, with Joe Chan dropping from the squad an hour from kick-off.
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Stat Attack
- The Sea Eagles have beaten the Storm in their last two clashes at 4 Pines Park.
- The Storm have won three in a row away from Melbourne.
- Sea Eagles centre Reuben Garrick has scored five tries in his past four games.
- Storm prop Tui Kamikamica will make his 100th NRL appearance.
- Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has won only two of seven encounters with Craig Bellamy.
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.