Eels v Storm: Lane, Cartwright to start; Munster set to return
The Melbourne machine marched on last round, recording a strong 24-8 win against the Roosters in a clinical display to post their sixth consecutive victory.
Despite their persistent injury setbacks this season, with forwards Nelson Asofa-Solomona (hamstring) and Christian Welch (back) were both withdrawn before the game, the Storm have managed to still find ways to win.
Try-scoring winger Grant Anderson was added to their casualty ward however after going down in the final seconds of the game at AAMI Park, but coach Craig Bellamy said he had hyper-extended his knee and he has been named to play this match.
In further good news, Bellamy is set to have the services of superstar half Cameron Munster for this week's game, with Nelson Asofa-Solomona also to return from injury.
The Eels had the bye last round, with their last game being the Round 19 loss against the Titans.
However, in a big blow for Parramatta, halfback Mitchell Moses will miss the rest of the season after rupturing his biceps while playing for New South Wales as they claimed the series decider at Suncorp Stadium. After injuring his foot earlier in the year, Moses has only been able to feature for the Eels in eight games.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Eels v Storm
Team News
Eels: Dan Keir is set to make his NRL debut after being added to the bench one hour before kick off, with Makahesi Makatoa dropping back to 18th man. Forwards Bryce Cartwright and Shaun Lane have returned to the starting side after coming off the bench in the Round 19 loss to the Titans. Parramatta had the bye last weekend, with Joey Lussick and Sean Russell all returning after missing the clash on the Gold Coast. One day out from the game, Matthew Arthur, Matt Doorey and Morgan Harper were all omitted from the extended squad.
Storm: Star five-eighth Cameron Munster is on track to make his return from a long-term groin injury after being moved onto the bench one day out from the game. Nelson Asofa-Solomona is also set to return via the bench, but fellow forward Christian Welch has been omitted after missing last week's win over the Roosters due to a back problem. Winger Grant Anderson remains in the side after being another player monitored throughout the week. No further changes for Melbourne on Friday.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
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Winger for Eels is number 2 Jake TagoWinger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
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Centre for Eels is number 3 Blaize TalagiCentre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth
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Centre for Eels is number 4 Will PenisiniCentre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
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Winger for Eels is number 5 Sean RussellWinger for Storm is number 5 Grant Anderson
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Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan BrownFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Tyran Wishart
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Halfback for Eels is number 7 Daejarn AsiHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
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Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica
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Hooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan HandsHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
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Prop for Eels is number 10 Wiremu GreigProp for Storm is number 10 Josh King
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2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
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2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Bryce Cartwright2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
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Lock for Eels is number 13 Ryan MattersonLock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
Interchange
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Interchange for Eels is number 14 Joey LussickInterchange for Storm is number 14 Sualauvi Faalogo
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Interchange for Eels is number 15 Joe OfahengaueInterchange for Storm is number 16 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
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Interchange for Eels is number 16 Luca MorettiInterchange for Storm is number 17 Lazarus Vaalepu
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Interchange for Eels is number 22 Dan KeirInterchange for Storm is number 20 Cameron Munster
Reserves
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Replacement for Eels is number 17 Makahesi MakatoaReplacement for Storm is number 19 Tepai Moeroa
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels have won three of their four games against the Storm at CommBank Stadium.
- The Storm have scored 94 points in their past two games against the Eels.
- Eels fullback Clint Gutherson will play his 200th game for the club.
- Storm hooker Harry Grant has scored six tries in his last four games against the Eels.
- Eels centre Blaize Talagi has scored four tries in five games at CommBank Stadium.
Match: Eels v Storm
Round 21 -
home Team
Eels
16th Position
away Team
Storm
1st Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
