Marvel Stadium will play host to Friday's Round 22 NRL game between Melbourne Storm and Parramatta Eels. The game kicks off at 8:00 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. Parramatta Eels game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday July 28, 2023 at 8:00 pm
Where: Marvel Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels Odds
Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels Preview
Arguably the marquee clash of a round packed with big showdowns, Melbourne and Parramatta are both coming off two losses from their last three games ahead of their encounter at Marvel Stadium.
The Storm blew an early 12-0 lead in Newcastle, ultimately going down 26-18 via a string of defensive lapses in the 10 minutes either side of halftime, which saw Craig Bellamy gave his team a rocket for an apparent lack of desire.
Meanwhile, they have slipped to fourth and risk regressing into a midtable logjam with another defeat.
The Storm have made four changes with centre duo Reimis Smith and Justin Olam, injured enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona and suspended Tariq Sims all out.
Young Tonumaipea and Marion Seve come into the backline, wile Tyran Wishart comes back onto the bench and Eliesa Katoa returns from injury.
Parramatta stormed back into contention with a five-match winning streak, but the 2022 grand finalists are teetering again in eighth with losses to the Warriors (46-10) and Cowboys (24-16) either side of a one-point win over the Titans in Round 20.
Only the late enterprise of Clint Gutherson and Mitch Moses gave the scoreline in Townsville some respectability…the reality is they were well-beaten.
The Eels – already hit by the suspensions of Maika Sivo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard a week earlier – have lost Shaun Lane (elbow), giving Joey Lussick an interchange opportunity with Andrew Davey moving into the starting side.
The Storm snatched a 16-12 golden point win at CommBank Stadium in Round 1, snapping an uncharacteristic four-match losing streak against Parramatta.
The Eels won a golden point epic in Melbourne last season 28-24 and the teams’ last six clashes were decided by 1-12 margins.
Expect another super-tight one between the high-profile outfits here, with the Eels’ handy recent record in the rivalry enhancing their value as a distinct outsider.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Melbourne Storm to win at $1.46 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Will Warbrick at $9.50.
Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels Teams
Storm team: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Marion Seve 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Tom Eisenhuth 13. Josh King 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Eliesa Katoa 17. Tyran Wishart 18. Grant Anderson 19. Chris Lewis 20. Tepai Moeroa 21. Aaron Pene 22. Jayden Nikorima
Eels team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Waqa Blake 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Ofahiki Ogden 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Andrew Davey 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Luca Moretti 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Joey Lussick 17. Ryan Matterson 18. Haze Dunster 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Wiremu Greig 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Jack Murchie