2019 NRL – Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders taking place? Saturday 14th September, 08:40
Where is Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders taking place? AAMI Park
What channel is Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders on?
UK – Sky Sports Arena
Australia – Fox Sports
Where can I stream Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders?
UK – Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match via Sky Go
Australia – https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer
Where can I get tickets for Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders?
Melbourne Storm – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500021
Canberra Raiders – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500013
THE TEAM NEWS
MELBOURNE STORM
Head Coach: Craig Bellamy
Starting 13: Papenhuyzen, Vunivalu, Chambers, Addo-Carr, Munster, Hughes, J. Bromwich, C. Smith, Asofa-Solomona, F. Kaufusi, K. Bromwich, Finucane – Interchanges: B. Smith, Kamikamica, King, Stimson – Reserves: Scott, Faasuamaleaui, Croft, Eisenhuth
Unavailable: Christian Welch
- Melbourne rounded off the regular season with a win over the Cowboys and will now look to make home advantage count as they host Canberra as they seek revenge over the side that were the last team to beat them.
- The Storm rested a handful of their stars last week including Cameron Munster but they are expected to be at full-strength for this clash with Munster confirming he will play following a slight injury concern last week.
- He is joined in the team by Josh Addo-Carr, Jahrome Hughes and Brandon Smith after they also sat out last week which means long-term absentee Christian Welch is the only player unavailable for the Storm.
CANBERRA RAIDERS
Head Coach: Ricky Stuart
Starting 13: Nicoll-Klokstad, Cotric, Croker, Leilua, Rapana, Wighton, Sezer, Papalii, Hodgson, Soliola, J. Bateman, Whitehead, Tapine – Interchanges: Simonson, Lui, Horsburgh, Sutton – Reserves: Williams, Guler, Havili, Young
Unavailable: Luke Bateman, Hudson Young
- Canberra face a tough test as they head to minor premiers Melbourne but will back themselves after beating the Storm in their last contest when they scored 22 unanswered points to overcome an 18-0 deficit.
- Hudson Young went to the judiciary panel in an attempt to play here after an eye-gouging charge but he was found guilty which ends his season after he was handed an eight-match suspension.
- The Raiders have doubts over the fitness of Joe Tapine and Corey Horsburgh but both have been named and should feature whilst the likes of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and John Bateman come straight back into the side after they were rested last week.
THE PREDICTION
Melbourne's bid to make a fourth successive Grand Final will begin with a home game against Canberra. The Raiders were one of just three teams to win at AAMI Park this season and produced a stunning comeback in that match to overturn an 18-point deficit but the Storm could be too savvy in this one. Their squad has been there and done it all before under Craig Bellamy whilst this is a relatively new experience for the Raiders having made the finals once since 2013 and that big-game knowledge should help Melbourne to the win.
