Friday’s NRL 2018 Round 23 match is between Melbourne Storm and Parramatta Eels. The opening kick is set to commence at 19:55 local time with the game to be played at AAMI Park, Melbourne. The home team Melbourne Storm are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Melbourne Storm and Parramatta Eels.
When: 19:55 | Friday 17/08/2018
Where: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Preview:
After a late run of form, the Eels look like a different footy team and it’s only taken 22 weeks but we are starting to see a little bit of what we all thought they had.
The Hayne plane is now airborne after getting a hat-trick and will have his work cut out for him v the ‘Fox’.
The Storm have now lost two games in a row and will be desperate to regain some form just weeks out from the finals.
KEY BATTLE: Jarryd Hayne v Josh Addo-Carr
The ‘Plane’ v the ‘Fox’.
Parra fans will be hoping the Hayne Plane can replicate last week’s effort but his competition is a genuine flyer.
The Verdict
I can’t tell you the last time the Storm lost three games in a row.
I’m backing the Storm to get the job done but if the Parramatta Eels turn up with a mood to throw the ball around, maybe they can trouble the reigning premiers.
Melbourne has a 5-2 (71.4 percent) record against Parramatta since 2013.
Unibet Odds:
Melbourne Storm at $1.22
Parramatta Eels at $4.30
Odds:
Tip: Melbourne Storm at $1.22
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Cameron Munster at $15.00
More Info:
Teams:
Melbourne Storm:
1. Billy Slater 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Curtis Scott 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Joe Stimson 13. Dale Finucane 14. Cheyse Blair 15. Tim Glasby 16. Christian Welch 17. Kenneath Bromwich 18. Brandon Smith 19. Tui Kamikamica 20. Albert Vete 21. Brodie Croft.
Parramatta Eels: 
1. Corey Norman 2. Jarryd Hayne 3. Michael Jennings 4. Clint Gutherson 5. George Jennings 6. Jaeman Salmon 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Peni Terepo 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tim Mannah 11. Marata Niukore 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Nathan Brown 14. Oregon Kaufusi 15. Brad Takairangi 16. David Gower 17. Siosaia Vave 18. Josh Hoffman 19. Bevan French 20. Ray Stone 21. Cameron King.
NRL News:
Melbourne Storm veteran Ryan Hoffman will try to beat the odds to play again but says he’s had a charmed career injury-wise.
Scans on Tuesday revealed the 34-year-old second-rower ruptured his hamstring in the final minutes of their loss to Cronulla on Sunday, with the injury usually meaning an eight-week recovery time.
Given Hoffman had already announced his retirement at the end of the season, his NRL career may be over after 324 matches.
The popular Hoffman said he had been swamped with messages of support since the injury.
“I have been innundated with msgs (sic) which shows the phenomenal support and care of the rugby league community,” he wrote on Instagram.
“The situation is not ideal and I would have rather played my remaining games injury free but alas it wasn’t to be.”
Hoffman has played 267 games for Melbourne – the fourth most in Storm history behind Cameron Smith (378), Billy Slater (314) and Cooper Cronk (323).
He started his NRL career with Melbourne in 2003 and returned to the club this season for the third time after stints with Super League club Wigan and the Warriors, where he played 60 NRL games.
Hoffman said while many supporters said the injury was unfair, he didn’t feel that was the case.
“Many have said it’s unfair but in reality I have had a pretty charmed career injury-wise, certainly compared to others,” he wrote.
The Storm expect Hoffman to do all he can in rehabilitation to return should the Storm reach the grand final on September 30, with three games remaining in the regular season.
Storm football director Frank Ponissi said he felt Hoffman was determined to pull on the purple jersey again.
“Whilst it will be difficult for Hoffy to return before the end of the season, we have no doubt he will do everything in his power to make that a possibility,” Ponissi said.
“Hoffy has shown nothing but class and professionalism throughout his 16 years at the highest level and there is no reason why this final month or so will be any different.”