Raiders v Storm: Timoko recalled; Meaney wings it
From their Magic Round epic in 2025 to a classic qualifying final in 2019 decided by a late John Bateman try, the Raiders-Storm rivalry rarely fails to deliver.
The Storm have won 38 of the 56 matches between the sides since 1998, including 16 of 23 at GIO Stadium, but Craig Bellamy's men head to Canberra on the back of a worrying four-game losing slide.
This is rare air for the Storm, who haven't lost five in a row since 2012, and the lack of defensive steel will have Bellamy and his senior leaders on edge.
In Kaeo Weekes, Ethan Strange and Hudson Young, the Raiders have the firepower to expose any frailties in Melbourne's defence and they will be looking a repeat of the razzle dazzle footy that carried them past the Bunnies in Perth.
Match: Raiders v Storm
Round 7 -
home Team
Raiders
13th Position
away Team
Storm
15th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Team News
Raiders: Josh Papalii and Noah Martin have moved to the bench 90 minutes before kick-off as they did last week with Ata Mariota and Zac Hosking starting the game. Centre Matt Timoko is set for his first match since Round 2 as Ricky Stuart rejigs his backline for Friday night's clash. Seb Kris moves to the wing as a result and Savelio Tamale has dropped back to the reserves. "Sav is just lacking a little bit of confidence and he'll get through it, we'll take care of him," Stuart said.
Storm: A late switch with Manaia Watere moving to centre and Nick Meaney switching to the right wing. No other changes to the starting side as Melbourne battle to avoid five-straight losses for the first time since 2012. The bench includes local product Hugo Peel, who is in contention to become the seventh Victorian to represent the club at NRL level, and Shawn Blore in his first NRL appearance of the season after three games in NSW Cup.
Match: Raiders v Storm
Round 7 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo WeekesFullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi Faalogo
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Sebastian KrisWinger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Simi SasagiCentre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew TimokoCentre for Storm is number 5 Manaia Waitere
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jed StuartWinger for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan StrangeFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Ethan SandersHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom StarlingHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
-
Prop for Raiders is number 16 Ata MariotaProp for Storm is number 10 Josh King
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Joe Chan
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 15 Zac Hosking2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Cooper Clarke
-
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey HorsburghLock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 8 Josh PapaliiInterchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 12 Noah MartinInterchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonald
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Jayden BraileyInterchange for Storm is number 16 Jack Hetherington
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Morgan SmithiesInterchange for Storm is number 18 Shawn Blore
Reserves
-
Reserve for Raiders is number 18 Daine LaurieReserve for Storm is number 17 Davvy Moale
-
Reserve for Raiders is number 19 Joe RoddyReserve for Storm is number 19 Hugo Peel
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Raiders have not defeated the Storm at GIO Stadium since 2016.
- The Storm are aiming to avoid five straight defeats for the first time in 14 years.
- Storm centre Nick Meaney will make his 100th appearance for the club.
- The Raiders have conceded 32 points or more in their last three game.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
