Saturday’s NRL 2017 Round 26 match is between Melbourne Storm and Canberra Raiders. The opening kick is set to commence at 19:30 local time with the game to be played at AAMI Park. The home team Melbourne Storm are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Melbourne Storm and Canberra Raiders.
When: 19:30 | Saturday 02/09/2017
Where: AAMI Park
Preview:
A dead rubber with the Storm wrapping up top spot two weeks ago and the Raiders no longer a chance of playing finals. Sia Soliola’s return adds a fascinating plot line. The veteran Raiders’ forward’s last game against Melbourne was when he knocked out Billy Slater with a brutal hit and copped a five-week ban. It’s yet another milestone for Storm skipper Cameron Smith who will equal Darren Lockyer’s NRL record of 355 matches.
Key: The Raiders pushed the Storm last time they met, but Smith and Slater missed most of the second half. With nothing left to play for, can the Green Machine find the intensity to match a Storm side fine-tuning their premiership push?
Tip: Storm
Odds:
OFFER: Deposit $50 BET with $200 via this link – Ends Soon!
Tip: Melbourne Storm at $1.30
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Josh Addo-Carr at $8.00
More Info:
Head to Head: Storm 28 Raiders 11
Last clash: Round 20, 2017 – Storm 20 bt Raiders 14 at GIO Stadium
Sportsbet: Storm $1.30 Raiders $3.50
TAB: Raiders +9.5
Teams:
Storm: 
1. Billy Slater 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. William Chambers 4. Curtis Scott 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Jordan McLean 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Tohu Harris 13. Dale Finucane 14. Kenneath Bromwich 15. Tim Glasby 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Slade Griffin 18. Robbie Rochow 19. Joe Stimson 20. Young Tonumaipea 21. Nate Myles
Raiders:
1. Jack Wighton 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Junior Paulo 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Shannon Boyd 11. Josh Papalii 12. Elliot Whitehead 13. Iosia Soliola 14. Kurt Baptiste 15. Joseph Tapine 16. Dave Taylor 17. Luke Bateman 18. Jeff Lima 19. Clay Priest 20. Royce Hunt 21. Michael Oldfield
NRL News:
The Wests Tigers have secured another major piece in their rebuild by re-signing forward Elijah Taylor until the end of the 2020 NRL season.
Taylor had been linked with a return home to the Warriors, but the Tigers on Wednesday announced a new three-year deal for the former New Zealand international.
“Elijah is a player that others love to play alongside. No task is beneath him and he always puts the team before himself,” Tigers coach Ivan Cleary said.
“Our fans can look forward to seeing Elijah’s game blossom in the coming years; Elijah will play a pivotal role in the future of the Wests Tigers.”
Taylor said the club’s decision to appoint Cleary as coach midway through this year played a key role in opting to extend his career at Concord.
The 27-year-old had previously followed Cleary to Penrith in 2014 before he was shown the door midway through last year and joined the Tigers.
“He’s an experienced coach and has coached me at both the Warriors and Penrith – he’s the reason I moved to Australia,” Taylor said.
“Knowing what kind of coach he is, what his principles are and the way he likes to play football was probably the biggest factor.”
Taylor’s signature is the latest in a bulging recruitment drive for next season, which includes the extensions of Luke Brooks, Tim Grant, David Nofoaluma and Jacob Liddle.
Their key recruits include Benji Marshall, Ben Matulino, Josh Reynolds, Russell Packer, Chris McQueen and mid-season pick-up Tuimoala Lolohea.
“I’m really excited about the future here. There are a lot of new faces coming. We’re really building something special,” Taylor said.
“I’ve played with a lot of the players coming and it’s going to be good for the club and good for our young players coming through.”
