The Stats Zone
September 27 2019, 07:46 · Ash Wheldon

2019 NRL – Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm Preview & Prediction

2019 NRL – Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm Preview & Prediction
Post Share

THE FACTS

When is Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm taking place? Saturday 28th September, 10:50

Where is Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm taking place? Sydney Cricket Ground

What channel is Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm on?
UK – Sky Sports Action
Australia – Fox Sports

Where can I stream Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm?
UK – Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match via Sky Go
Australia – https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer

Where can I get tickets for Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm?
Sydney Roosters – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500001

Melbourne Storm – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500021

THE TEAM NEWS

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Head Coach: Trent Robinson

Starting 13: Tedesco, Tupou, Mitchell, Manu, Morris, Keary, Cronk, Liu, Verrills, Taukeiaho, Cordner, Aubusson, Radley – Interchanges: Crichton, Tetevano, Butcher, Collins – Reserves: Tupouniua, Hutchison, Friend, Hall

Unavailable: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

  • Sydney Roosters are just two wins away from defending their NRL title after they proved too good for rivals South Sydney thanks to a stunning first half display but will face a tough challenge here against the side they beat to earn the crown last year.

  • The Roosters will be without Jared Waerea-Hargreaves after their powerful prop was handed a one-match suspension for tripping with Siosiua Taukeiaho stepping up to take responsibility in the run-on side in Waerea-Hargreaves’ absence.

  • Jake Friend has been named on the extended bench as he bids to return from his arm injury but there is some doubt over five-eighth Luke Keary after he was spotted in a walking boot during training this week and if he is to be ruled out it would be a huge blow for the Roosters.

MELBOURNE STORM

Head Coach: Craig Bellamy

Starting 13: Papenhuyzen, Vunivalu, Scott, Olam, Addo-Carr, Munster, Hughes, J. Bromwich, C. Smith, Asofa-Solomona, F. Kaufusi, K. Bromwich, Finucane – Interchanges: B. Smith, Kamikamica, King, Chambers – Reserves: Seve, Stimson, Faasuamaleaui, Earl

Unavailable: Christian Welch

  • Melbourne overcame their disappointing defeat to Canberra in the best possible way as they nilled Parramatta in last week's semi-final but now must overcome Sydney Roosters to progress to their fourth consecutive Grand Final.

  • The Storm are likely to play Curtis Scott in the centres once again after he was a late inclusion in their side last week and that is where he has been named with Will Chambers once again on the bench.

  • Head coach Craig Bellamy has unsurprisingly retained the same 17 that defeated Parramatta so convincingly with skipper Cameron Smith free to play after avoiding a ban for the slap that saw him sin-binned last week.

THE PREDICTION

There will not be a repeat of last season's NRL Grand Final with Sydney Roosters meeting Melbourne in the preliminary finals instead. The Storm have taken the difficult route to this point and despite putting in a great performance last week, the Roosters can edge what should be a thriller. That will depend on the availability of Roosters’ playmaker Luke Keary though and if he is ruled out, the Storm should be able to capitalise to come out on top.