Melbourne is in unfamiliar territory coming into tonight's match against the One New Zealand Warriors having lost three games in a row for the first time since 2022.
Starting the season with a bang, last year's grand finalists posted big back-to-back wins over the Eels and Dragons but, since being pipped by 2025 title winners the Broncos in round three, there have been some concerning signs for the perennial powerhouses.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy will be looking for answers to turn this run of form around in this clash of the two traditional rivals.
He could take some heart from the fact his side completed at 94 percent against the Panthers last week but the Storm were given no opportunity at all in a 10-50 loss.
The Warriors have also lost their mojo after posting three straight wins to open their season.
After a shock loss at home to Wests Tigers in round four, they were unable to bounce back away to Cronulla last week despite winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scoring a hat-trick.
Match: Storm v Warriors
Round 6 -
home Team
Storm
12th Position
away Team
Warriors
2nd Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Team news
Storm: Jack Howarth (hip) and Moses Leo (concussion) return to bolster the backline so Manaia Waitere goes to the interchange and Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown drops out. Preston Conn moves to the reserves after being part of the six-man interchange but not getting on the field last week. Lazarus Vaalepu was the other man not used against the Panthers and he is again part of the six-man bench.
One New Zealand Warriors: The loss of Luke Metcalf to a hamstring injury brings Chanel Harris-Tavita in at standoff. Centre Adam Pompey was named pending a judiciary hearing on Tuesday night where he sought a downgrade on a Dangerous Contact charge. Pompey failed in his bid and has been banned for two games. At the 24-hour mark the Warriors also lost their other centre Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad resulting in a major reshuffle with Ali Leiataua and Leka Halasima being named to start in the centres.
Match: Storm v Warriors
Round 6 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi FaalogoFullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will WarbrickWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack HowarthCentre for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
-
Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick MeaneyCentre for Warriors is number 23 Ali Leiataua
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Moses LeoWinger for Warriors is number 20 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Tanah Boyd
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
-
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Warriors is number 10 Jackson Ford
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Joe Chan2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Leka Halasima
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Cooper Clarke2nd Row for Warriors is number 15 Marata Niukore
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent LoieroLock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran WishartInterchange for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban
-
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam Healey
-
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Davvy MoaleInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga
-
Interchange for Storm is number 19 Manaia WaitereInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Tanner Stowers-Smith
Reserves
-
Reserve for Storm is number 16 Jack HetheringtonReserve for Warriors is number 18 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
-
Reserve for Storm is number 18 Lazarus VaalepuReserve for Warriors is number 22 Luke Hanson
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat attack
- The Storm have won their last 17 games against the Warriors.
- The Warriors have not won at AAMI Park since 2014.
- The Storm are aiming to avoid four straight losses for the first time since 2022.
- Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored five tries in his last five games against the Storm.
- Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes has won 15 from 16 against the Warriors.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
