AAMI Park will play host to Sunday's Round 1 NRL game between Melbourne Storm and Parramatta Eels. The game kicks off at 4:05 pm with Melbourne Storm heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Melbourne Storm vs. Parramatta Eels game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday March 9, 2025 at 4:05 pm

Where: AAMI Park

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Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels Odds

Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels Preview

Melbourne Storm looks to extend its famed undefeated Round 1 record under Craig Bellamy in a showdown with Parramatta Eels at AAMI Park.

The Eels have been hit with a massive blow in their first match under rookie coach and Bellamy protégé Jason Ryles, with Mitch Moses ruled out – handing an opportunity to Ronald Volkman.

Melbourne powered to the minor premiership in 2024, thrashed Cronulla and Sydney Roosters in the playoffs, and went down 14-6 to Penrith in a tense grand final. The Storm find themselves installed as title favourites ahead of the Panthers to start 2025.

The only change to the Storm’s grand final 17 sees Tigers recruit Stefano Utoikamanu start at prop, with Tui Kamikamica dropping to the bench in the place of the retired Christian Welch. Nelson Asofa-Solomona remains out suspended until Round 3.

Parramatta’s trial form was a mixed bag, though Volkman’s showing in a 44-18 win over Newcastle provides encouragement following the Moses setback.

Zac Lomax makes his club debut at centre, all eyes will be on rookie fullback Isaiah Iongi, and Sean Russell and Jake Tago are the wings with Josh Addo-Carr (suspension) and Bailey Simonsson (knee) unavailable. Ex-Shark Jack Williams is a new face in the second-row and Joe Ofahengaue starts at prop.

The Eels’ status as a bogey side for the Storm – wining five of six clashes from 2020-22 – has counted for little in the past two seasons, losing all four encounters…including the last three by 18-plus margins with Will Warbrick scoring a try in each.

Dylan Brown will be required to step up in a young spine with Moses out – a disparity only amplified by the Papenhuyzen-Munster-Hughes-Grant quartet steering the Storm’s ship.

Add in the extraordinary stat that the Storm have not lost in Round 1 since 2001, and it’s shaping as a futile road trip first up for Ryles’ $6.50 underdog Eels. It’s worth noting, though, that the Storm would have to produce their biggest season-opening win since 2018 to cover the line.

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Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels Tip

Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels Teams

Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Lazarus Vaalepu 18. Grant Anderson 19. Bronson Garlick 20. Joe Chan 21. Sualauvi Faalogo 22. Kane Bradley

Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Jake Tago 6. Dylan Brown 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Ryley Smith 15. Matt Doorey 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Charlie Guymer 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Jordan Samrani 20. Toni Mataele 21. Sam Tuivaiti 22. Joey Lussick