The Dyldam Parramatta Eels will take on the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park on Monday night (15 June) and the Blue and Gold will be looking to rebound after their shock 36-30 defeat to the North Queensland Cowboys in Round 13 last week.
The Eels had blown the in-form Cowboys off the park in the first half of last week’s game, however the Cowboys never say die attitude saw them score 5 tries in twelve minutes to come back from a 24 point deficit.
For this week’s clash against the Storm, Eels Head Coach Brad Arthur named two changes to his line up earlier this week, with Bureta Fariamo recalled to the side, replacing Will Hopoate who is unavailable due to NSW Origin duties whilst forward Darcy Lussick returns from suspension, included on an extended bench.
Whilst named in the side, Eels forward Manu Ma’u entered an early guilty plea to a Grade Two Dangerous Contact charge and will be unavailable.
The Storm will be without Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Will Chambers due to Origin duties whilst a knee injury to Cooper Cronk will mean the home side will be without their halfback. Replacing them will be Kurt Mann, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Young Tonumaipea and Cameron Munster.
The Eels and Storm clashed earlier this year in Round Nine at Pirtek Stadium with Melbourne coming away with a 28-10 victory. The Eels have been unsuccessful against Melbourne in their last three clashes and are yet to win at AAMI Park from their three attempts.
WATMOUGH AND NORMAN TO PLAY MILESTONES
The Round 14 clash will feature two milestones for the Blue and Gold, with Anthony Watmough playing his 300th NRL game whilst Corey Norman plays his 100th first grade game.
Watmough will become the 23rd player to reach the milestone of 300 first grade games on Monday night. The lock made his NRL debut against the Storm, playing for the Northern Eagles at Brookvale Oval in 2002.
Kick off is at 7pm.
ROUND 14 TEAM LIST
Match Details: Dyldam Parramatta Eels v Melbourne Storm, AAMI Park. Monday June 15, 7pm kick off.
Televised: Fox Sports – LIVE from 7pm AEDT
The History: Played 29; Storm 18, Eels 11. The Storm have won five of the last six games and the three clashes played at AAMI Park.
Eels Squad:
1. Reece Robinson 2. Semi Radradra 3. Ryan Morgan 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Bureta Faraimo 6. Corey Norman 7. Chris Sandow 8. Junior Paulo 9. Nathan Peats 10. Tim Mannah 11. Manu Ma'u 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Anthony Watmough
Interchange: 14. David Gower 15. Darcy Lussick 16. Danny Wicks 17. Pauli Pauli 18. Daniel Alvaro
Storm Squad:
1. Cameron Munster 2. Mahe Fonua 3. Tohu Harris 4. Kurt Mann 5. Richard Kennar 6. Blake Green 7. Ben Hampton 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Ryan Hinchcliffe 10. Jordan McLean 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Tim Glasby 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Young Tonumaipea 15. Kenneath Bromwich 16. Christian Welch 17. Felise Kaufusi
Match Officials: Referee: Ashley Klein. Assistant Referee: Adam Devcich. Touch Judges: David Ryan & Kasey Badger. Video Referees: Steve Chiddy & Ben Galea.
