Melbourne Storm Round 1 Predicted Squad

[TheDaBoss]

STORM

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. George Jennings 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cooper Johns 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jayden Nikorima 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Tom Eisenhuth 13. Kenneath Bromwich 14. Nick Meaney 15. Josh King 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona* 17. Tepai Moeroa



Analysis: The Storm have several omissions for Round 1, including superstar five-eighth Cameron Munster, Chris Lewis and Brandon Smith who will all serve their one-match suspension for the infamous white powder incident during the off-season. Harry Grant is also suspended due to a crusher tackle in last season’s preliminary final. Tui Kamikamica has been stood down after being charged with assault. Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s anti-vaccination stance means he cannot train with the rest of the squad under the Victorian government’s health protocols. The star prop has been training separately and the Storm are understood to be hopeful he will return to pre-season before the season kicks off. We will likely see Cooper Johns slot into the No.6 jumper, Jayden Nikorima take the hooking role and the always reliable Tom Eisenhuth slot into the back row. New signings Josh King and Nick Meaney are tipped to appear off the bench. Fellow new recruit Xavier Coates is expected to get the first shot at replacing departed winger Josh Addo-Carr. Fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen was recently spotted in a moon boot however the club confirmed he only suffered a “minor” injury and will be good to go for Round 1.


Injuries/suspensions: Cameron Munster (suspension, Round 2), Brandon Smith (suspension, Round 2), Chris Lewis (suspension, Round 2), Tui Kamikamica (stood down, indefinite)

 

[TillLindemann]

STORM

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. George Jennings 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cooper Johns 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jayden Nikorima 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Tom Eisenhuth 13. Kenneath Bromwich 14. Nick Meaney 15. Josh King 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona* 17. Tepai Moeroa



Analysis: The Storm have several omissions for Round 1, including superstar five-eighth Cameron Munster, Chris Lewis and Brandon Smith who will all serve their one-match suspension for the infamous white powder incident during the off-season. Harry Grant is also suspended due to a crusher tackle in last season’s preliminary final. Tui Kamikamica has been stood down after being charged with assault. Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s anti-vaccination stance means he cannot train with the rest of the squad under the Victorian government’s health protocols. The star prop has been training separately and the Storm are understood to be hopeful he will return to pre-season before the season kicks off. We will likely see Cooper Johns slot into the No.6 jumper, Jayden Nikorima take the hooking role and the always reliable Tom Eisenhuth slot into the back row. New signings Josh King and Nick Meaney are tipped to appear off the bench. Fellow new recruit Xavier Coates is expected to get the first shot at replacing departed winger Josh Addo-Carr. Fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen was recently spotted in a moon boot however the club confirmed he only suffered a “minor” injury and will be good to go for Round 1.


Injuries/suspensions: Cameron Munster (suspension, Round 2), Brandon Smith (suspension, Round 2), Chris Lewis (suspension, Round 2), Tui Kamikamica (stood down, indefinite)

We'll smash them.

 

[earl]

They have 3 class players out and we should be competitive. It'll be interesting how Coates goes for them. Do they miss JAC or not ?

 

[GNR4LIFE]

As much as we’re relishing playing them depleted, they would be breathing a sigh of relief that they drew us

 

[Speed2burn]

Pretty depressing when that team is still probably better than ours

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Madge and the team will have us so fired up for round 1 I think we get them

 

[TillLindemann]

Pretty depressing when that team is still probably better than ours

I don't think so. Best forward on the park is Stefano. Best winger on the park is Ken the Killer. Nikorima is a myth. Lord Hastings will get us home.

 

[Speed2burn]

Pretty depressing when that team is still probably better than ours

I don't think so. Best forward on the park is Stefano. Best winger on the park is Ken the Killer. Nikorima is a myth. Lord Hastings will get us home.

I think it’s debatable, also Paps on his day can be the best player in the league. We lack any class of that caliber

… And the fact we can make players like George Jennings look like Eric Grothe

 

[Chicken_Faced_Killa]

We’ve upset Melbourne a few times over the years and with some new players out to impress we could give the a shake again. Even with a few out they will be favourites but don’t write us off completely in this one.

 

[Buttface]

Is it a milestone game for one of their mob, if so we are sure things.

 

[Devon Head]

Apart from the pumping we copped off Melb last yr we generally show up against Melb and have even won our fair share of matches against them over recent yrs or gone real close.

 

[PJ_]

As much as we’re relishing playing them depleted, they would be breathing a sigh of relief that they drew us

Any other team, yes, but we are a bit of a bogey side for them. God knows why.
Not saying we will win, just wishing.

 

[InBenjiWeTrust]

Pretty depressing when that team is still probably better than ours

I don't think so. Best forward on the park is Stefano. Best winger on the park is Ken the Killer. Nikorima is a myth. Lord Hastings will get us home.

Atta a boy

 

[Rowdy12]

Bellamy wont start Nikorima at 9, K Bromwich will likely be there

Theyll be deserved favourites whoever both teams trot out

 

[GNR4LIFE]

As much as we’re relishing playing them depleted, they would be breathing a sigh of relief that they drew us

Any other team, yes, but we are a bit of a bogey side for them. God knows why.
Not saying we will win, just wishing.

Are we? Last time we played them they put nearly 70 on us. I can’t remember the last time we beat them.

 

[Geo]

Wests by 50..

 

[PJ_]

They always seem to be close games, when slater was playing we won a few.
Cbf googling results but I'm sure that flogging we copped last time was an anomaly

 

[PJ_]

We are always massive underdogs and exceed even our own diminished expectations, just by getting close

 

[Speed2burn]

As much as we’re relishing playing them depleted, they would be breathing a sigh of relief that they drew us

Any other team, yes, but we are a bit of a bogey side for them. God knows why.
Not saying we will win, just wishing.

Are we? Last time we played them they put nearly 70 on us. I can’t remember the last time we beat them.

Year before we got smoked by 40 by them aswell, no way we are a bogey team for them

 

[PJ_]

Wests by 50..

I wish.
Brooks M.o.M