Match Preview: Round 18 vs Storm
Wests Tigers are aiming to score their third win at Leichhardt Oval in as many games in 2024, when they take on the Melbourne Storm on Saturday.
Match: Wests Tigers v Storm
Round 18 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
17th Position
away Team
Storm
1st Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
On the back of four straight wins, this will be the Storm's first visit to Leichhardt Oval since 2017, while the home side is hoping to bounce back from last weekend’s heavy defeat to the Roosters.
A win for Wests Tigers would be their third home victory in a row after recent triumphs over the Titans and Raiders at Leichhardt and Campbeltown, respectively.
The Storm’s record at the ‘eighth wonder’ is not great with five wins and eight losses, but they head into this match as hot favourites, sitting four points clear at the top of the NRL ladder.
In team news, the Tigers welcome back Charlie Staines and Heath Mason, while Justin Olam is also a chance of returning to the side to take on his former team for the first time.
The Storm welcome back star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen but will be without winger Xavier Coates (hamstring) and hooker Harry Grant, who is still to return after featuring for Queensland in Origin II.
Adam Doueihi (Strathfield Raiders, Dundas Shamrocks) and Alex Seyfarth (Dundas Shamrocks) will fly the flag for Inner-West grassroots clubs as Wests Tigers celebrate its second edition of Junior League Appreciation Round.
Match: Wests Tigers v Storm
Round 18 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream BulaFullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomona FaataapeWinger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Adam DoueihiCentre for Storm is number 3 Grant Anderson
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 22 Justin OlamCentre for Storm is number 4 Jack Howarth
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Charlie StainesWinger for Storm is number 5 Kane Bradley
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan GalvinFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Tyran Wishart
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Aidan SezerHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Storm is number 10 Josh King
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Storm is number 9 Bronson Garlick
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 17 David KlemmerProp for Storm is number 16 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 John Bateman2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Samuela Fainu2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua PoleLock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 13 Justin MatamuaInterchange for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Heath MasonInterchange for Storm is number 14 Sualauvi Faalogo
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sione FainuInterchange for Storm is number 15 Christian Welch
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex SeyfarthInterchange for Storm is number 19 Alec MacDonald
Reserves
-
Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 20 Solomon AlaimaloReplacement for Storm is number 17 Joe Chan
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Fast Facts:
- Wests Tigers have an 8-5 winning record against the Storm at Leichhardt Oval.
- The Storm have won their past six games against Wests Tigers.
- Wests Tigers have won their past three games at Leichhardt Oval.
- Storm centre Nick Meaney has scored six tries in his past seven games against the Tigers.
- Wests Tigers centre Justin Olam has scored three tries in two games at Leichhardt Oval.
Stats courtesy of David Middleton
