Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
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AAMI Park is the stage for a blockbuster Friday encounter with massive finals implications, as the red-hot Melbourne Storm host a desperate Sydney Roosters side.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
Melbourne Storm team news
Head Coach Craig Bellamy’s has made some significant changes to give key players a breather as the finals loom. Xavier Coates, Nick Meaney, Eli Katoa and Josh King are all rested, which could mean the likes of Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cameron Munster and Trent Loeiro get their time off next round. Nelson Asofa-Solomona now gets a big opportunity to cement a spot back in the Storm 17, while Bronson Garlick has been named to take the No.9 jersey after Harry Grant was handed a two-game ban. Shawn Blore returns from an ankle injury in the back row while Kane Bradley and Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown have been named on the wings, with Grant Anderson shifting into the centres.
Squad: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Kane Bradley 3. Marion Seve 4. Grant Anderson 5. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Alec MacDonald 11. Shawn Blore 12. Joe Chan 13. Trent Loiero 14. Jonah Pezet 15. Ativalu Lisati 16. Lazarus Vaalepu 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 18. Sualauvi Faalogo 19. Josiah Pahulu 20. William Warbrick 21. Keagan Russell-Smith 22. Angus Hinchey
Sydney Roosters team news
One half out and another in with Sandon Smith replacing Sam Walker, who is sidelined due to a head knock. Daniel Tupou is also a straight swap for Junior Tupou on the wing after he sat out due to a concussion.
Squad: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Naufahu Whyte 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Egan Butcher 16. Salesi Foketi 17. Siua Wong 18. Ethan King 19. Blake Steep 20. Toby Rodwell 21. Tom Rodwell 22. Taylor Losalu
Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters prediction
The Melbourne Storm (2nd) are the form team of the competition, riding a five-game winning streak that has secured them a top two finish. Their latest victory was a 20-14 win over the Canterbury Bulldogs. The Storm can still claim the minor premiership if they win their last two games and Canberra loses to either Wests Tigers or the Dolphins.
Meanwhile, the Sydney Roosters (8th) saw their own four-game winning run come to an abrupt end last week, suffering a surprising 30-10 defeat to the Parramatta Eels.
Storm winger Xavier Coates leads the NRL with 19 tries for the season and has scored eight tries in his last six games against the Roosters.
Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy will become the fourth coach to reach the milestone of 600 NRL games.
Roosters veteran Daniel Tupou has scored six tries in his last five games against Melbourne.
Melbourne has historically dominated this rivalry, winning 33 of the 52 encounters since 1998. In fact, the Storm have won their last seven games against the Roosters. The teams played out a thriller earlier this season in Round 21, with the Storm emerging victorious 34-30.
The Roosters are in a must-win situation, with their entire season on the line. A loss could see them fall out of the top eight. The Storm, while significantly depleted, are notoriously difficult to beat at their AAMI Park fortress and will be determined to celebrate Craig Bellamy's milestone with a victory
Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters tip: Daniel Tupou & Xavier Coates to both score a try
