The Tricolours will be determined to continue their winning streak by rewriting their recent history against the Melbourne Storm in a high-stakes match.
Recent History: Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm
Easts will be looking to string together seven consecutive victories - a record last achieved in 2019 - when the Tricolours travel down to the Victorian capital in the side's second meeting with the Storm this season.
Melbourne have claimed the last five matches between the two sides going back to 2020, with the Red, White and Blue last tasting victory against their southern rivals in the 2019 Preliminary Final.
Matches at AAMI Park have traditionally been close affairs, with three of the last five results dictated by three points or less - and with both teams in strong form, you can expect another arm wrestle as they look to consolidate finals spots.
How They Line Up:
Trent Robinson welcomes back three big names to his squad in the form of Paul Momirovski, Lindsay Collins and Siosiua Taukeiaho, who return to the starting seventeen.
James Tedesco leads the side from fullback, with Daniel Tupou, the returning Momirovski, Joseph Manu and Joseph Suaalii making up the rest of the backline as Luke Keary and Sam Walker pair up in the halves.
Match: Storm v Roosters
Round 24 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Storm is number 1 Nick MeaneyFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
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Winger for Storm is number 2 David NofoalumaWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
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Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin OlamCentre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
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Centre for Storm is number 22 Marion SeveCentre for Roosters is number 18 Drew Hutchison
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Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
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Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
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Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
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Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse BromwichProp for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
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Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam Verrills
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Prop for Storm is number 10 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaProp for Roosters is number 10 Matthew Lodge
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2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
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2nd Row for Storm is number 15 Tui Kamikamica2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher
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Lock for Storm is number 13 Brandon SmithLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
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Interchange for Storm is number 11 Felise KaufusiInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
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Interchange for Storm is number 16 Tom EisenhuthInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Egan Butcher
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Interchange for Storm is number 17 Josh KingInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Lindsay Collins
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Interchange for Storm is number 19 Trent LoieroInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Siosiua Taukeiaho
Reserves
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Replacement for Storm is number 3 Young TonumaipeaReplacement for Roosters is number 3 Paul Momirovski
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sam Verrills and Matt Lodge return to the front row, while Angus Crichton, Butcher and Victor Radley round off the forward pack and the starting thirteen.
Connor Watson, Egan Butcher, Collins and Taukeiaho have been named on the interchange bench, with Drew Hutchison as 18th man joined by Terrell May, Siua Wong, Fletcher Baker and Oliver Gildart on the extended bench.
Meanwhile, Melbourne will be boosted by the inclusion of Origin backrower Felise Kaufusi, which sees hulking forward Tui Kamikamica relegated to the interchange bench.
Key Match Up: Joseph Suaalii vs Xavier Coates
Two of the game's most exciting young wingers will take the field on Friday night in the form of Joseph Suaalii and Xavier Coates.
Both Suaalii and Coates have shown incredible athleticism throughout the span of 2022, and despite playing on opposite ends of the field, their tough carries from the backfield and finishing ability will be pivotal in this clash between heavyweights.
In his second season in the top grade, Suaalii has gone to another level with his right-side partnership with Joseph Manu; scoring fourteen tries, assisting two, breaking an incredible 59 tackles and bursting through the line fourteen times.
His opponent in Coates - a Queensland State of Origin representative - has been injury-riddled in his first year at the Storm, but has still managed to post twelve tries, four try assists, 21 tackle breaks and ten linebreaks.
Whether they're charging through on the ground or soaring high in the air, be sure not to keep your eyes off Suaalii and Coates throughout the 80 minutes on Friday night.
What They Said:
Final Verdict:
It doesn't get much tougher than travelling down to Melbourne to face an in-form Storm side looking to extend their recent winning run to five - but the men from Bondi will be just as fired up when they take the field at 7:55pm.
