The second of Sunday night’s NRL Round 24 matches is between Melbourne Storm and Parramatta Eels. The opening kick is set to commence at 3:00PM local time with the game to be played at AAMI Park. The home team the Melbourne Storm are the current favourites in the market. View our preview and teams for the game between Melbourne Storm and Parramatta Eels.
AAMI Park
Sunday, 3pm
Melbourne Storm $1.03 vs Parramatta Eels $10.00 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match
Melbourne Storm $1.02 vs Parramatta Eels $16.00 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match
Odds Comparison by NRL Odds:
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| Melbourne Storm | 1.03 | 1.03 | 1.02 | 1.03 | 1.03 | 1.04 |
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Parramatta Eels
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10.00 | 12.00 | 16.00 | 12.00 | 10.00 | 11.00 |
Preview:
Here is one game that will have no effect on the ladder.
Third placed Melbourne take on cellar-dwelling Parramatta and with the Storm having won their past three by 64, 18 and 13 against Canberra (away), Souths (home) and last week, Newcastle (away), there’s every chance another big score-line is on the way here.
Melbourne have been back to their best in these games, displaying attacking brilliance whilst out the same time, being able to tough it out as why the case against Newcastle.
They’ll dominate Parramatta across the park.
Parramatta has won one of their last twelve games, that win happening over West Tigers in round 22.
They were competitive again last week when travelling to Brisbane to take on the Broncos and despite losing 22 – 12, never gave up trying.
Surprisingly, since 2008, Parramatta hold a 4-3 winning record over the Storm and did win the last encounter between the two 16 – 10 in round 20 last year – the same week they announced then coach Steve Kearney, would be axed for Ricky Stuart this year.
It would be, without question, the biggest upset of the year if Parramatta were to win here and whilst the Storm’s biggest win over Parramatta since 2007 has been only by 12 points, they should easily better that mark here.
Teams:
Melbourne Storm:
Billy Slater, Sisa Waqa, Will Chambers, Maurice Blair, Justin O’Neill, Brett Finch, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith, Bryan Norrie, Kevin Proctor, Ryan Hoffman, Ryan Hinchcliffe. Interchange: Jason Ryles, Tohu Harris, Jordan McLean, Kenneath Bromwich
Parramatta Eels:
Jake Mullaney, Ken Sio, Ryan Morgan, Vai Toutai, Semi Radradra, Ben Roberts, Luke Kelly, Tim Mannah, Matt Keating, Fuifui Moimoi, Reni Maitua, Mitch Allgood, Darcy Lussick. Interchange: Junior Paulo, Joseph Paulo, Peni Terepo, Pat O’Hanlon, Daniel Harrison
Storm’s Finch hopes for coaching role
Melbourne veteran Brett Finch says this NRL season is set to be his last but he’s hoping to stay with the Storm in a coaching role.
After 15 seasons, Finch – who turned 32 this week – feels it’s time to make way for the next generation of players.
“I think I’ll hang them up which was always my plan,” the five-eighth said ahead of their Sunday clash with Parramatta at AAMI Park.
“I need to sort something out soon because I need to get a job somewhere.”
He said he hoped to stay a part of Melbourne, which was a reason for his return to the club.
The former Canberra halfback played in a grand final with Sydney Roosters in 2004 and won a premiership with Melbourne in 2009 which was later stripped, before joining Wigan in the Super League where he pocketed a Challenge Cup winners medal in 2011.
He spent two seasons there before returning this year to the Storm, where he has chalked up a total of 50 games.
His value to the defending champions sky-rocketed following a season-ending hip injury to Gareth Widdop, with Finch taking over the playmaking role.
Finch is the first to admit he took some time to again get used to the pace of the NRL and was grateful coach Craig Bellamy gave him time to keep working at his game.
Over the past month, he and star halfback Cooper Cronk have clicked, which has been crucial to the Storm’s return to form.
“I struggled for about a month; it had been two-and-a-half years since I’d played NRL and I was off the pace,” he said.
“I found it quite hard and I was struggling to find my feet.
“I feel a lot better now but I don’t have the world’s hardest job to do and, once the boys came from Origin, it certainly made things easier for me.”
The Storm have spent the week in Nelson Bay, south of Newcastle, following their hard-fought 13-point win over the Knights.
They’ve used the time to recharge and also plan for their finals campaign.