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Storm v Roosters: Same 17 for Bellamy; More minutes for Victor

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Two of the most successful teams of the modern era square off in a mouth-watering clash to see who will progress to the big dance on October 6.

For the Storm it would be a fifth grand final appearance in the past nine years, while the Roosters are looking to return to the decider for the first time since their back-to-back titles in 2018-19.

When the sides clashed in last year's semi-final at AAMI Park it took an acrobatic Will Warbrick try in the closing minutes to get the Storm home 18-13, and the towering Kiwi winger will again be a focal point in attack.

The Roosters also boast aerial threats in the form of Daniel Tupou, Dom Young and Joey Manu, all pouring through on the pinpoint kicks of Luke Keary to make life tough for the Storm's back three.

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The Storm had the better of both their meetings this season as well as all three clashes in 2023 to give them an overall lead of 31 wins to 19 in the head-to-head ledger.

Having come through 29 minutes of game time unscathed with his fractured shoulder on Saturday night, Victor Radley will look to step up his involvement as the Roosters go toe-to-toe with the formidable Storm pack.

Team News

Storm: Melbourne will line up 1-17 after coach Craig Bellamy opted against making any late changes to his side. Grant Anderson is the 18th man. Livewire utility Sua Fa'alogo has recovered from the hamstring injury that ruled him out of the qualifying final against the Sharks but hasn't been able to force his way into the team. Kane Bradley and Joe Chan dropped out of the squad on Thursday along with Fa'alogo..

Roosters: The Roosters line up 1-17 as named on Tuesday. Zach Dockar-Clay is the 18th man. Coach Trent Robinson sticks with the same squad that downed the Sea Eagles so impressively. Victor Radley is again named to start as he manages the pain of a fractured scapula.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
    Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
  • Winger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
    Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
  • Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth
    Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i
  • Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
    Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
  • Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
    Winger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic Young
  • Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
    Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
  • Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
    Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sandon Smith

Forwards

  • Prop for Storm is number 8 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
    Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared  Waerea-Hargreaves
  • Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
    Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Connor Watson
  • Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh King
    Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
  • 2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
  • Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
    Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley

Interchange

  • Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
    Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Spencer Leniu
  • Interchange for Storm is number 15 Christian Welch
    Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Naufahu Whyte
  • Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tui Kamikamica
    Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher
  • Interchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonald
    Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell May

Reserves

  • Replacement for Storm is number 18 Grant Anderson
  • Reserve for Roosters is number 18 Zach  Dockar-Clay

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Storm have won 10 of their past 11 games against the Roosters.
  • The Roosters have lost their last three games at AAMI Park.
  • Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored eight tries in his past four games against the Roosters.
  • Roosters prop Spencer Leniu will play his 100th NRL game.
  • Storm captain Harry Grant will make his 100th NRL appearance.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.