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.
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Melbourne Storm to win at $1.25 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Justin Olam at $10.50.
Melbourne Storm vs Manly Sea Eagles Teams
Storm team: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Tui Kamikamica 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Josh King 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tyran Wishart 16. Trent Loiero 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Chris Lewis 19. Jayden Nikorima 20. Jordan Grant 21. Tom Eisenhuth 22. William Warbrick 23. Bronson Garlick 24. Jack Howarth
Sea Eagles team: 1. Reuben Garrick 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Morgan Harper 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Toafofoa Sipley 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Andrew Davey 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Dylan Walker 15. Josh Schuster 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Sean Keppie 18. Kurt De Luis 19. Jason Saab 20. Kaeo Weekes 21. Viliami Fifita 22. Alec Tuitavake 23. Jamie Humphreys 24. Jacob Sykes