Wests Tigers v Storm preview - 2017 Round 4

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After a controversial week the Tigers are given no relief as they prepare to topple the undefeated Storm.

It has been quite the week for the home side - we all know that and I do not think there is much of a need to dwell on this. After all there is a footy game to be played. And if Wests are any chance of winning it, they need a massive improvement in defence. After a 34-18 victory over South Sydney in Round 1 it has been all downhill from there. First, the Tigers were embarrassed 36-2 by Penrith in front of their home fans. Then came last week's 46-6 drubbing at the hands of Canberra. Put simply, in the past fortnight the Tigers have managed just eight points whilst conceding eighty-two. So the argument that the home side may possess the attacking flair to concern the Melbourne defence is practically done away with. The only real chance that the Tigers have of winning this one is simply based on emotion. The sacking of a coach can often bring out the best in teams and seeing that the Tigers came within a field goal of the Storm at this same venue last year there is still some hope they can cause an upset.

Their cause is assisted by the fact that Melbourne travel to Leichhardt without fullback Cameron Munster and winger Suliasi Vunivalu. As a result, Billy Slater will play his first full game at fullback since returning from injury whilst the improving Ryley Jacks lines up in the five-eighth position. On the wing Young Tonumaipea fills in for Vunivalu. The Storm have opened their 2017 campaign like they always do, with clinical victories over the Bulldogs, Warriors and Broncos. Particularly impressive has been their defence, conceding just 9.3 points a game. When you consider that the Tigers have averaged 33.3 it looks very worrying. The Storm have also won five of their past seven against Wests, including last year's 19-18 victory at Leichhardt Oval in Round 7. Speedster Josh Addo-Carr also comes up against his former club.

Last meeting: Round 16 2016 - Storm 29 Wests Tigers 20

After just falling short in last year's meeting at Leichhardt, the Tigers once again gave the Storm a serious scare in Round 16 before eventually going down 29-20.

Who to watch: This game will be won up front. Although the Tigers will be looking for a spark from the likes of Tedesco and Moses their input will be severely limited if their forward pack does not stand up. Therefore, the responsibility falls on captain Aaron Woods. Woods still managed 127 running metres and 31 tackles against the Raiders. Yet, that was in 69 minutes. This week, he comes head to head with Kiwi International Jesse Bromwich, who, in just 50 minutes ran for 132 metres and made 23 tackles. And that was his first game back from injury. Although both sides have some serious speedsters out wide, their forward packs need to dominate in order to give them to chances to showcase this.

The favourite: The Storm are expected to win this one, yet are surprisingly good value at $1.50. Many punters have seen this with 96% of bets taken at Sportsbet favouring the away side.

My tip: It would be an amazing sight if the Tigers could repay the Leichhardt faithful with a win against the premiership favourites. Yet, this seems more of a fabricated fairy tale than a reality. The Tigers need a big adjustment in defence if they want to come close. Storm by 26.

1. James Tedesco 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Kevin Naiqama 4. Michael Chee-Kam 5. Moses Suli 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Luke Brooks 8. Aaron Woods 9. Matt McIlwrick 10. Ava Seumanufagai 11. Sauaso Sue 12. Chris Lawrence 15. Josh Aloiai 13. Elijah Taylor 14. Tim Grant 16. Joel Edwards 22. Jacob Liddle

1. Billy Slater 2. Young Tonumaipea 3. William Chambers 4. Cheyse Blair 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ryley Jacks 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 14. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane 15. Tim Glasby 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Vincent Leuluai 19. Joe Stimson

Referees: Ben Cummins, Chris Butler; Sideline Officials: Nick Beashel, Michael Wise; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Ben Galea;