The Storm find themselves in uncharted waters with seven losses on the trot and they face another tough test when Wests Tigers arrive at AAMI Park looking to bounce back to form.
The Tigers had climbed to third on the ladder before last Sunday’s thumping loss to the Sharks and they will be determined to prove their early-season form was no flash in the pan.
Melbourne have won 27 of the 39 clashes between these two sides and will look to superstars Harry Grant and Cameron Munster to ensure that dominance continues.
The curtain comes down on Round 10 with a cracker of a clash in Canberra between Ricky’s Raiders and Ivan’s Panthers – both coming off Round 9 wins and both capable of exhilarating football on their day.
Follow all the action from Round 10 of the NRL Telstra Premiership on NRL.com’s live blog.
Raiders v Panthers
Late Mail
Raiders: A late swap on game day, with Morgan Smithies to start at lock, shifting Jayden Brailey to the interchange bench. Ethan Strange is on track to return from an ankle injury that forced him out of last week’s win over the Titans. The five-eighth’s comeback will see Kaeo Weekes return to fullback and Daine Laurie shift to the bench. Hudson Young will return from suspension, replacing the injured Joe Roddy (hand). Jayden Brailey has been named at lock but could trade places with Morgan Smithies, as was the case last week. Jake Clydsdale and Sione Finau dropped out of the squad in the 24-hour update.
Panthers: No late changes on game day.Premiership-winning forward Liam Henry is on track for his first taste of NRL action this year and comes on to the interchange after recovering from an off-season knee injury. Jack Cole replaces the suspended Jack Cogger and will wear the No.14 jumper. No other changes expected for the competition leaders. Kalani Going and Luron Patea dropped out of the squad in the 24-hour update.
Storm v Wests Tigers at AAMI Park
Full-time: Storm break their losing streak and record a 44-16 win at home over Wests Tigers.
78th min: More points for Storm with strong forward Ativalu Lisati forcing his way over the line despite plenty of defenders on him. Meaney converts again and the score goes out to 44-16.
71st min: Melbourne have corrected their wobbles and Cam Munster has his second try of the day. The Storm half has been in a running mood during this game and charges onto a pass after his side were able to make metres up the field. Meaney converts for 38-16.
67th min: Back-to-back for Wests Tigers with Taylan May getting his second try after starting the play with a strong run. The visitors throw the ball around to scramble the Storm before Jarome Luai throws the ball out wide, with May putting on a step to get to the line. Madden converts and the score is 32-16.
65th min: A few errors from Storm to invite Wests Tigers back into the game and they accept, with Luke Laulilii sailing over on the left-hand touchline. Jock Madden’s conversion attempt is successful to narrow the margin to 32-10.
57th min: A captain’s challenge from Wests Tigers is successful, with Heath Mason originally ruled to have knocked on – but the Bunker finds it was Warbrick touching the ball first.
54th min: Another well-placed kick out to the wing of Warbrick comes up trumps for the Storm, this time it’s Grant putting it up in the air. It had looked earlier that Storm were wasting their opportunity with the ball after some repeat six-agains, but their captain steadied the ship. Meaney converts for a 32-4 lead.
49th min: Unsuccessful captain’s challenge from the Storm, with Jack Howarth deemed to have lost the ball in his attempt to get up off the ground.
Injury update: Unfortunate news for the Storm, with Sua Faalogo failing his HIA. Furthermore, it’s been reported he may have also suffered a facial fracture.
Half-time: A big 26-4 lead at the break for the Storm after an early blitz. However, after being dumbstruck early, Wests Tigers fought back and threw up the challenge to Melbourne, but were only able to get the one try.
37th min: Good defence on the try line from Wests Tigers to deny Warbrick a second out wide, holding him up.
Injury alert: Alex Twal comes off for a HIA. Update – he has passed.
36th min: A lot happening with the eventual wash up being Latu Fainu getting put on report for working on the ground against Harry Grant, who takes offense – causing players from both sides to run in for a little brouhaha.
34th min: After the visitors started to gain some momentum, the Storm regain the upper hand, with Harry Grant burrowing low from dummy half to over against his former loan club. Meaney gets another from in front and the score extends to 26-4.
Injury alert – Sua Faalogo is off the field after coming off second best trying to stop May’s try-scoring play. Update – the fullback is off for a Category 2 HIA.
26th min: Wests Tigers are on the scoreboard with Taylan May showing plenty of strength to force his arm over the line on the left edge. The conversion attempt is missed and Storm are in front 20-4.
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Taylan May Try
21st min: A killer for Wests Tigers, with Alex Twal penalised in possession and put on report for running with his elbow up, connecting with the throat of Trent Loeiro.
13th min: Another try under the posts to the Storm, with Jahrome Hughes going over after Harry Grant cuts through the ruck and races away, passing back to his trailing halfback who scores. Meaney slots this one as well for a big 20-0 lead.
9th min: Bang-bang-bang to Melbourne, with Cam Munster finishing a team try that he starts down in their own half. Some strong runs – including from Stefano Utoikamanu – and plenty of passes along the way, with Storm looking confident early. Meaney slots the conversion from in front and it’s 14-0.
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Cameron Munster Try
6th min: Storm go back-to-back, this time on the right side with Jahrome Hughes putting in a pinpoint kick for Will Warbrick to fly him and bring the ball down over the top of his opposite. Meaney once again just misses the conversion attempt from the right sideline and it’s 8-0.
3rd min: First points of the afternoon for the home side, with that man Sua Faalogo going over for yet another try. Wests Tigers give up a penalty and a ruck infringement to gift field position and some nice passing out to the left finds the Samoa representative. Nick Meaney can’t convert and it’s 4-0.
Kick off: Storm kick off and Wests Tigers will have first use of th eball at AAMI Park.
Late Mail
Storm: No changes to the squad on game day. Star halfback Jahrome Hughes is on track to complete his comeback from a head knock after progressing through the concussion protocols and will replace the injured Tyran Wishart (ankle). Emerging playmaker Stanley Huen has been named on the six-man bench and could make his NRL debut if called upon. Manaia Waitere and Lazarus Vaalepu dropped out of the squad in the 24-hour update, with Jack Hetherington joining the interchange.
Wests Tigers: A big out on game day with Terrell May omitted, bringing Bunty Afoa in to start at prop. Charlie Murray moves onto the extended bench from the reserves. Earlier, there were more changes for the Tigers as Benji Marshall navigates two more injuries suffered in last week’s loss to the Sharks. Jock Madden is back in the halves after Adam Doueihi dislocated his shoulder. Kai Pearce-Paul’s return from concussion offsets the loss of Samuela Fainu to a long-term foot injury. Sione Fainu will join Pearce-Paul in the back row, replacing Tony Sukkar, who was named in the reserves on Tuesday. Out wide, Heath Mason comes in at fullback, Sunia Turuva will shift to the wing and Patrick Herbert has earned a recall in the centres. Tony Sukkar and Javon Andrews dropped out in the 24-hour update.