Storm v Dragons preview

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Billy's back as Storm look to go one further

After surprising many last season by making the Preliminary Final, Melbourne will be looking to improve once again by making their first Premiership decider since winning the competition in 2012. With much of the hype surrounding the return of Billy Slater in the lead up, the Storm will be hoping their superstar fullback makes it through a late fitness test on Monday in order to play his first game for the club since Round 10 last year. Following the departure of Kurt Mann and Matt Duffie, coach Craig Bellamy has opted to give local products Richie Kennar and Young Tounamaipea first opportunity at securing a place in the backline, while backup playmaker Ben Hampton has been named on the bench as cover for Slater should he miss out. Managing four wins out of their last five clashes with the Dragons, Melbourne will be out for another strong start to the season if they are to continue their remarkable run of finals appearances once again.

Proving to be the surprise packets of 2015, St. George Illawarra will be out for further improvement after assembling their strongest squad since claiming the title six years ago. Cruelled by an extra-time loss to Canterbury in the finals last season, five new faces have been brought in to help the Dragons improve their attack. Headlined by former Storm utility Kurt Mann and Bulldogs centre Tim Lafai, the new additions will add further potency to an already promising side boasting the likes of Gareth Widdop and Josh Dugan. Set to play his first NRL game since 2013, Monday night marks the return of former Kiwi international Russell Packer after a much-publicised off-field incident two years ago. Having lost to Melbourne in the opening round on three occasions previously, coach Paul McGregor will be looking to overcome that statistic in order to start the year on the right track.

Last meeting: Round 20 2015 - Storm 22 Dragons 4

Who to watch: With speculation circulating that 2016 may be his final season at the Storm, halfback Cooper Cronk will be looking for a strong showing first up to quash rumours of unrest throughout the playing ranks. Entering his thirteenth season for Melbourne, the premier halfback in the NRL will be central to securing a twelfth consecutive opening round win for coach Craig Bellamy.

Since signing with the Dragons two years ago, former Storm playmaker Gareth Widdop has developed into one of the finest players in the competition. Earning the captaincy alongside Ben Creagh during the off-season, the English international will be relishing the reduction in interchange to showcase his running game, while also laying the platform with a strong kicking game honed under the tutelage of his Monday night opponents.

The favourite: With the return of Billy Slater and an imposing opening round record, Melbourne are favoured to start 2016 with a win.

My tip: While their trial form was less than stellar, the Dragons are capable of big things this season and will surprise many with a Round One upset. Dragons by 4.

1. Billy Slater 2. Marika Koroibete 3. Will Chambers 4. Richard Kennar 5. Young Tonumaipea 6. Blake Green 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Jordan McLean 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Tohu Harris 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Kenneath Bromwich 15. Tim Glasby 16. Ben Hampton 17. Christian Welch 18. Felise Kaufusi 19. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

1. Kurt Mann 2. Euan Aitken 3. Josh Dugan 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Benji Marshall 8. Leeson Ah Mau 9. Mitch Rein 10. Russell Packer 11. Will Matthews 12. Joel Thompson 13. Michael Cooper
Interchange: 14. Ben Creagh 15. Jack de Belin 16. Dunamis Lui 17. Siliva Havili 18. Peter Mata'utia 19. Tyrone McCarthy 20. Jake Marketo

Referees: Grant Atkins, Gavin Reynolds; Sideline Officials: Jon Stone, Anthony Elliott; Video Referees: Ben Galea, Jared Maxwell, Bernard Sutton;