Roosters v Storm preview

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Melbourne shoot for seven straight against an injury-plagued yet rejuvenated Roosters outfit.

This week shapes as a massive game for the Chooks, and if they are to win, the whole competition will very much be on notice. For the Roosters face one of their biggest road blocks to their quest for a Top Eight spot in the presence of one of the competition heavyweights - the Melbourne Storm. The Roosters got their season back on track with a big 32-18 win in the wet over the West Tigers and will look to build upon that this week. However, having lost all 4 games this year against Top 8 sides (three of which were by double digit figures), the Roosters face an uphill battle this week. Coupled with injuries to Mitchell Pearce, Boyd Cordner and possibly Latrell Mitchell and the Roosters will be doing very well to overcome Melbourne this weekend, particularly with two rookie halves steering the ship. The Roosters will also need to contain a worrying error count which tops 131 coming into Round 14, an average of 10 a game. Gifting field possession to the Storm will not bode well, just ask the Panthers, who unfortunately were dominated by Melbourne's rampaging forward pack in their 24-6 loss last week.

For Melbourne, seeing how they have played this season, this is their game to lose. Seeing the Roosters come into this one understrength, they really should be able to grind this one out right from the start. Melbourne's defence has been stellar this season and is integral to their lofty ladder position. They boast the best defence in the game and have not conceded more than 18 points this season. They have also conceded 6 points or less in 4 of their past 5 games. Melbourne rank a high 5th in attack, and when compared with the Roosters 13th and 12th place ranking in both areas, this one points towards a comfortable Melbourne victory. The Roosters, however, will see a scalp like this as just what they need. 

Last meeting: Finals Wk 1 2015 - Roosters 18 Storm 20

Who to watch: The battle up front between Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Jesse Bromwich is a salivating one. Both were one of the best for their respective sides last week and will look to lay the platform for victory on Saturday night. Waerea-Hargreaves ran 247 metres, made 20 tackles and 1 tackle bust in a barnstorming performance whilst Bromwich

The favourite:Melbourne have won 6 straight, so they are well backed here.

My tip: You can't go past Melbourne. Their defence was sublime last week and overall performance clinical, frustrating the Panthers to their heaviest loss of the season. The Roosters may keep it close, but Melbourne possess too much class across the park for the understrength Roosters who may also be missing Latrell Mitchell. Storm by 14.

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mitchell Aubusson 4. Dale Copley 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Ryan Matterson 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 14. Sam Moa 11. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Kane Evans
Interchange: 24. Abraham Papalii 15. Eloni Vunakece 16. Mitchell Frei 17. Connor Watson

1. Cameron Munster 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Cheyse Blair 4. Ryan Morgan 5. Marika Koroibete 12. Tohu Harris 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Jordan McLean 11. Kevin Proctor 14. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Christian Welch 15. Tim Glasby 16. Felise Kaufusi 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Referees: Ben Cummins, Chris Sutton; Sideline Officials: Shane Rehm, Belinda Sleeman; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Jason Robinson, Ben Galea