Match Preview: Eels v Storm

Author: parraeels.com.au
Timestamp: Wed 1 Mar 2023, 05:10 PM

Parramatta's rivalry with Melbourne will reignite this Thursday as the Eels and Storm collide in the opening match of the 2023 NRL season.

The Eels have enjoyed great success against the Storm in recent seasons, and will be out to snap a 21-year record of Melbourne's on Thursday night.

CommBank Stadium will play host to the 2023 season-opener, which promises to be an enthralling affair between two powerhouse sides.

Dylan Brown celebrates a famous win over the Storm in 2021.

Secure your seat in PARRAdise - Round 1 tickets on sale now!

Team News

The Eels have named an exciting line-up for Round 1 featuring six club debutants.

Josh Hodgson will start at hooker, while Matt Doorey and J’maine Hopgood slot into the back row. Fellow new recruits Jirah Momoisea and Jack Murchie feature on the bench, while Isaac Lumelume has been called up to the wing.

The Eels’ halves and front row personnel are unchanged from the end of 2022, while Wiremu Greig and Makahesi Makatoa round out the interchange.

Melbourne have named a strong line-up including the likes of Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant, as well as club debutant Eli Katoa and NRL debutant Will Warbrick.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Thursday 2 Mar

Full Time

Eels

Storm

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo

Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini

Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
Centre for Eels is number 4 Waqa Blake

Centre for Storm is number 4 Young Tonumaipea
Winger for Eels is number 22 Isaac Lumelume

Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown

Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Forwards

Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard

Prop for Storm is number 8 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Josh Hodgson

Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo

Prop for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Bryce Cartwright

2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Trent Loiero
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Matt Doorey

2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood

Lock for Storm is number 13 Josh King

Interchange

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Jirah Momoisea

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Jack Murchie

Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonald
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Wiremu Greig

Interchange for Storm is number 17 Jordan Grant
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi Makatoa

Interchange for Storm is number 19 Bronson Garlick

Reserves

Replacement for Eels is number 18 Jake Arthur

Replacement for Storm is number 16 Chris Lewis

Match Officials

Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:56 AM

Read the Gameday Guide.

Recent History

Match Highlights: Storm v Eels

Parramatta have been a formidable foe of Melbourne’s in recent years, winning all four of their latest meetings and five of the last six.

The Eels enjoyed a pair of great wins over Melbourne in 2022: a golden point thriller early in the season, and a tight victory in a final-round top 4 shootout.

Key Stat

One of two extraordinary records will come to an end on Thursday night; either the Eels’ four-year, uninterrupted stint inside the NRL’s top 8, or the Storm’s 21-year unbeaten run in Round 1 fixtures.

Key Match-Up

Each of the last four matches between Parramatta and Melbourne has been decided by two tries or less, so the halves battle promises to be vital.

The final moments of golden point

With another close encounter on the cards, Parramatta's Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses are set to come to the fore, as are Melbourne's Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes.

Form Guide

Parramatta enter 2023 in a strong position. On the back of a Grand Final appearance and a promising pre-season campaign, the Eels will be eager to maintain their momentum with an opening round victory.