Leichhardt Oval will play host to Saturday's Round 18 NRL game between Wests Tigers and Melbourne Storm. The game kicks off at 5:30 pm with Melbourne Storm heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Wests Tigers vs. Melbourne Storm game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday July 6, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Where: Leichhardt Oval
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
Wests Tigers vs Melbourne Storm Odds
Wests Tigers vs Melbourne Storm Preview
After another brief two-game spurt, Wests Tigers returned to wooden-spoon form in Round 17.
They will be aiming to parlay the Leichhardt factor into one of the seasons biggest boilovers against ladder-leading Melbourne Storm.
The Tigers beat the Titans (18-10) and Raiders (48-24) back-to-back at home to briefly climb off the bottom of the ladder, before crashing 40-6 to the Roosters at Allianz last Sunday and reclaim last place.
Charlie Staines is back on the wing with Solomona Faatape moving to centre and Brent Naden dropping out, John Bateman will start, while Justin Olam is listed in the reserves.
The Storm have pulled four points clear of the competition with four straight wins, despite rarely putting in a dominant 80-minute performance all year.
The wins over the Knights (36-28), Warriors (38-24), Dolphins (30-24) and Raiders (16-6) over the past month have all featured typical Storm composure but also flat spots thought the improved defence last week would have pleased Craig Bellamy after leaking 24-plus in four straight games.
Ryan Papenhuyzen (foot) returns, pushing Sua Faalogo to the bench and Kane Bradley is Xavier Coates replacement on the wing.
Though Reimis Smith has been named as 18th man after returning via NSW Cup last week and Harry Grant has been rested again.
The Storm have won their last six against the Tigers by an average margin of 20.7 points, last years encounters finished 24-12 at AAMI Park and 28-6 at Campbelltown.
The Tigers have won three on the trot at Leichhardt, including both games there this season.
A fourth consecutive victory at their spiritual home for the first time since 2010-11 looks well beyond them, however.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Wests Tigers vs Melbourne Storm Tip
We're tipping Melbourne Storm to win at $1.33 odds.
Wests Tigers vs Melbourne Storm Teams
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Luke Laulilii 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. John Bateman 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Justin Matamua 14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. David Klemmer 18. Reuben Porter 19. Tallyn Da Silva 20. Solomon Alaimalo 21. Kit Laulilii 22. Justin Olam
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Grant Anderson 4. Jack Howarth 5. Kane Bradley 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Sualauvi Faalogo 15. Christian Welch 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Joe Chan 18. Reimis Smith 19. Alec MacDonald 20. Dean Ieremia 21. Chris Lewis 22. Lazarus Vaalepu
