Match Preview: Round 20 vs Storm
The Sea Eagles head to Melbourne in Round 20 aiming to chalk up a third straight win as the business end of the season arrives.
Match: Storm v Sea Eagles
Round 20 -
home Team
Storm
3rd Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
9th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
While consistency has been somewhat hard to find thus far in 2025, there is no time like the present for our team to string together a handful of impressive performances.
With eight rounds remaining the race to the finals has officially started, as a bunch of teams, including Manly, fight to lock in a place in the top eight.
Sitting seventh on the ladder, the Sea Eagles are one of six teams separated by just four competition points, all with realistic finals intentions.
Having lost just four games all season Melbourne finds itself once again in a shootout for the minor premiership and, barring a late season collapse, is very likely to occupy a place in the top four.
Sitting second on the ladder, the Storm has every reason to feel confident heading into this game. They are on a six-match winning streak and were far too strong for Manly in Round 5 at 4 Pines Park, winning 48-24.
In team news, no reason to change a winning formula for the Sea Eagles. In fact, it’s the same starting side for a third game in a row as the team aims for a third win on the trot.
Nick Meaney will again start at fullback for Melbourne in place of Ryan Papenhuyzen (calf), while Xavier Coates is back on deck after being rested last week, as is Queensland skipper Cameron Munster. The return of Coates sees Grant Anderson shift from wing to centre.
Match: Storm v Sea Eagles
Round 20 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Sea Eagles
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick MeaneyFullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Lehi Hopoate
-
Winger for Storm is number 4 Grant AndersonWinger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack HowarthCentre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula
-
Centre for Storm is number 18 Joe ChanCentre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tom Trbojevic
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben Garrick
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Sea Eagles is number 8 Matthew Lodge
-
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jazz Tevaga
-
Prop for Storm is number 15 Tui KamikamicaProp for Sea Eagles is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Corey Waddell
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent LoieroLock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Jake Simpkin
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran WishartInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Tommy Talau
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
-
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Ativalu LisatiInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Toafofoa Sipley
Reserves
-
Replacement for Storm is number 19 Bronson GarlickReplacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Aaron Schoupp
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stats Zone
- The Storm have won their last 10 games at AAMI Park.
- The Sea Eagles have not won in Melbourne since 2019.
- Storm second-rower Eliesa Katoa has scored six tries in seven games at AAMI Park this season.
- Sea Eagles forward Ethan Bullemor will reach the milestone of 100 NRL games.
- Storm centre Nick Meaney will play his 150th NRL game.
