AAMI Park will play host to Thursday's Round 12 NRL game between Melbourne Storm and Manly Sea Eagles. The game kicks off at 7:50 pm with Melbourne Storm heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Melbourne Storm vs. Manly Sea Eagles game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Thursday May 26, 2022 at 7:50 pm

Where: AAMI Park

Bet: Bet On This Match HERE

Melbourne Storm vs Manly Sea Eagles Odds

Melbourne Storm vs Manly Sea Eagles Preview

Melbourne and Manly both have bigger fish to fry than focusing on one of the NRL’s most bitter rivalries, with the injury-hit Storm in the rare position of coming off heavy back-to-back losses and the Sea Eagles reeling from a season-ending blow to their marquee player.

The Storm’s attack has understandably suffered with Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen sidelined against the two best defences in the league. But the worrying aspect of heavy losses to the Panthers (32-6) and Cowboys (36-6) has been their uncharacteristic leaking of points.

Meanwhile, Manly’s run of four losses in five games – including a Magic Round hammering from Brisbane – has been compounded by a shoulder injury slated to keep Tom Trbojevic out for the rest of 2022. The Sea Eagles were gutsy and unlucky in a 22-20 loss to Parramatta last week, running out of steam amid some tough calls.

Reuben Garrick is a very capable No.1 replacement and has been superb on the wing or at the back all season, while Jorge Taufua returns on the wing for his first NRL appearance since 2020. Ethan Bullemor comes into the side for Martin Taupau.

The Storm are on a five-match winning streak against the Sea Eagles, winning 28-18 in Round 21 at Suncorp Stadium last year before carving out an emphatic 40-12 victory during the first week of the finals.

The return of Hughes – which allows Harry Grant to return to hooker – is almost enough on its own to be ultra-confident of the Storm avoiding a third straight loss since 2015.