Melbourne v Sydney preview

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Melbourne Storm v Sydney Roosters Friday 7:55pm at AAMI Park, Melbourne / Wurundjeri

Melbourne Storm come up against the Sydney Roosters this Friday Night, in one of the most anticipated matchups of 2021.

These are two clubs that are very well-run, very well coached and as a result, they just know how to win. Please forgive this Canterbury fan for being slightly jealous of how these two teams operate. Watching quality matchups like this is actually like watching a game from a higher division. 

Melbourne come into this game on the back of a comfortable 52-18 win over the aforementioned Bulldogs. To say they cruised to victory would be an understatement. They actually cracked the 50 mark without even playing (or needing to play) their best Rugby League.

The Roosters come into this after pulling off an incredible comeback victory against Cronulla. Down 18-4 after 60 minutes, they managed to pile on 3 tries in the last 20 minutes, all this with a 5/8th playing his 17th NRL game, and a halfback playing his 2nd NRL game, along with an injury list a mile long.

In team news, Melbourne are unchanged from last week, Harry Grant staying on the bench, and my new favourite player Brandon Smith retaining the number 9 jersey. Stability + Melbourne Storm = Look out NRL.

For the Roosters, Ben Marschke is the latest to take up the cursed number 9 jersey, replacing the injured Freddy Lussick, in what will be his 3rd NRL appearance. Sitili Tupouniua returns to the starting lineup, with Nat Butcher going to the bench as a result. Adam Keighran & Lindsay Collins come back via the bench. Still a strong side, despite the number of injuries sweeping through the club.

I also would like to dedicate a line of this preview to Sam Walker. What an effort last week, let's see how he backs up against the might of the premiers.

8 of the last 14 matchups between these two NRL powerhouses have been decided by 3 points or less, and despite the Storm coming into this at full strength vs Easts being understrength in key positions, I expect this to be another classic. There's a lot to be said for decent coaching, and every player in a squad knowing their role, regardless of their level of experience.

Last meeting: Round 14 2020 - Roosters 6 Storm 24

Who to watch: James Tedesco vs Ryan Papenhuyzen.  Oh dear, I need to clean up the drool from my laptop. Oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boyyyyy. 

I don't want to hear about representative team debates. Just sit back, enjoy and take in every minute of these two Rugby League superstars entertain you. Well worth the price of admission alone.

Nothing else needs to be said, except maybe add them to a try scorer multi along with the ageless Brett Morris? (Gamble responsibly).

The favourite: At the time of writing, Melbourne were comfortable favourites at $1.35. They're at home, Easts are depleted, so that is understandable, however I don't think it will be as clear cut as that.

My tip: I think it will be close, let's say Melbourne by 2.

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. George Jennings 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Brandon Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 15. Tui Kamikamica 13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 14. Harry Grant 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Nicholas Hynes 20. Chris Lewis

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Joseph Manu 19. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Sam Walker 8. Isaac Liu 9. Ben Marschke 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Adam Keighran 15. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 16. Nat Butcher 17. Lindsay Collins 18. Fletcher Baker

Referees: Adam Gee; Sideline Officials: Todd Smith, Phil Henderson; Video Referees: Henry Perenara;