Storm v Knights: Garlick to start; Sharpe to debut
The Storm claimed top spot on the ladder after picking up two points with the bye and will be looking to make sure they stay there when they host the Knights on Sunday.
Coming off a tough away trip to Manly in Round 12, where they went down to the Sea Eagles 26-20, Melbourne will be desperate to get back to the winner's circle with away matches against the Warriors and Dolphins to follow.
The Knights, meanwhile, will be bitterly disappointed to drop out of the top eight after a 32-2 defeat to the Bulldogs at home on Friday.
With coach Adam O'Brien putting his side's performance down to 'a lack of creativity', halves pairing Jack Cogger and Jackson Hastings will be out to make a statement at AAMI Park on Sunday.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Storm v Knights
Team News
Storm: Several late changes sees Bronson Garlick named to start at hooker and Queensland representative Harry Grant revert to the bench. Trent Loiero shifts from the interchange to lock with Josh King starting at prop and Christian Welch goes back to the bench. Xavier Coates returns to the wing after also featuring in the Maroons' State of Origin win on Wednesday. Alec MacDonald dropped off the bench in favour of Joe Chan on Saturday.
Knights: A big game day shuffle sees Dylan Lucas move into centre in place of Krystian Mapapalangi who dropped back to 18th man and Tyson Frizell shift from the bench into the back row. Mat Croker takes Frizell's bench spot, while Phoenix Crossland has also moved into the starting side at hooker which Jayden Brailey reverts to the bench. Fullback David Armstrong was cut in the 24-hour update as he struggles with a quad issue, which means an NRL debut for Fletcher Sharpe. Prop Daniel Saifiti has failed in his bid to return from a knee injury picked up last week and is replaced on the bench by Jack Hetherington.
Match: Storm v Knights
Round 14 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi FaalogoFullback for Knights is number 22 Fletcher Sharpe
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Grant AndersonWinger for Knights is number 2 Enari Tuala
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Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis SmithCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick MeaneyCentre for Knights is number 12 Dylan Lucas
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
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Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Tyran WishartFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Jack Cogger
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Tui KamikamicaProp for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
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Hooker for Storm is number 14 Bronson GarlickHooker for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
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Prop for Storm is number 13 Josh KingProp for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
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2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Kai Pearce-Paul
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa2nd Row for Knights is number 16 Tyson Frizell
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Lock for Storm is number 15 Trent LoieroLock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 8 Christian WelchInterchange for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
-
Interchange for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantInterchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaInterchange for Knights is number 19 Mat Croker
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Interchange for Storm is number 18 Joe ChanInterchange for Knights is number 21 Jack Hetherington
Reserves
-
Replacement for Storm is number 19 Jack HowarthReplacement for Knights is number 4 Krystian Mapapalangi
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm have won 15 of their past 17 games in Melbourne.
- The Knights have won their last two clashes with the Storm.
- Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored 28 tries in 23 games at AAMI Park.
- The Knights have not won in Melbourne since 2015.
- Second-rower Eliesa Katoa has scored in three consecutive games for the Storm.
Match: Storm v Knights
Round 14 -
home Team
Storm
3rd Position
away Team
Knights
13th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
