Saturday’s NRL 2018 Round 2 match is between Melbourne Storm and Wests Tigers. The opening kick is set to commence at 19:35 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 Wests Tigers.

When: 19:35 | Saturday 17/03/2018

Where: AAMI Park

Preview:

After their stunning upset of the highly-fancied Roosters, the unheralded Wests Tigers were one of the biggest storylines in round 1 but they’ll need an even bigger performance to down the reigning champions.
The all-conquering Melbourne Storm muzzled the Bulldogs to the tune of 18 points and they’ll be even more motivated to salute on Saturday with club legend Billy Slater notching his 300th milestone game.
With Slater returning to no.1, Cameron Munster reverts back to his more customary position in the halves.
Munster won’t have to contend with Josh Reynolds with the Tigers no.6 still sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Tigers favourite Benji Marshall steps in to replace Reynolds at the scrumbase.

The Verdict

Melbourne have dominated this fixture winning 4 of the last 5 and lead 7-4 overall since 2010.
Craig Bellamy’s men are especially strong at home where they are 12-3-0 since 2017.
The Storm’s defence, allowing just 13.4 PPG since 2017, is one of the major reasons behind their recent dominance.
As a favourite since 2013, the Storm are 51-26 (66.2 percent) after winning as a favourite.
At the line, the Tigers are 5-3 (62.5 percent) as underdogs against the Storm since 2012.

Unibet Odds: Melbourne Storm 1.18 Wests Tigers 5.00

Odds:

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Tip: Melbourne Storm at $1.17

Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Billy Slater at $11.00

More Info:

Teams:

Storm:

1 Billy Slater, 2 Suliasi Vunivalu, 3 Will Chambers, 4 Curtis Scott, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Cameron Munster, 7 Brodie Croft, 8 Jesse Bromwich, 9 Cameron Smith (c), 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11 Felise Kaufusi, 12 Ryan Hoffman, 13 Dale Finucane Interchange: 14 Tim Glasby, 15 Kenny Bromwich, 16 Christian Welch, 17 Sam Kasiano Reserves: 18 Young Tonumaipea, 19 Joe Stimson, 20 Billy Walters, 21 Brandon Smith.

Tigers: 

1 Tuimoala Lolohea, 2 Corey Thompson, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Kevin Naiqama, 5 Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 14 Benji Marshall, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Russell Packer, 9 Pita Godinet, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Chris Lawrence, 12 Robbie Rochow, 13 Elijah Taylor Interchange: 14 Matt McIlwrick 15 Alex Twal, 16 Michael Chee Kam, 17 Matthew Eisenhuth Reserves: 18 Josh Aloiai, 19 David Nofoaluma, 20 Tim Grant, 21 Tyson Gamble.

NRL News:

Cameron Smith knew that the Melbourne Storm had something special in Billy Slater very early in his NRL career.

In the lead up to Slater’s 300th NRL game, Smith heaped praise on his teammate and close friend who he labelled by far the best fullback he has ever played with.

Having played at the same junior club in Queensland, Smith knew how physically gifted Slater was but it was his NRL debut in round one, 2003, that made him sit up and take notice.

“I think he was named in the centres but played fullback,” Smith told reporters on Wednesday.

“We played Cronulla and we were getting beaten quite convincingly in the first half. I just remember Billy picking up the ball from dummy-half and I think he beat about four or five defenders to score in the corner.

“From that moment you just went ‘Wow, he’s beaten some quality first-graders here in his first game – this bloke could be pretty special’.”

Slater will join the elite 300 NRL game club against Wests Tigers at AAMI Park on Saturday night after missing the Storm’s opening round win due to a jarred shoulder.

The 34-year-old will become the 31st player to reach the milestone in the history of the game and the 12th to do it at one club.

He will be the third Storm player to pass the mark, joining Smith and former teammate Cooper Cronk.

At one time, Smith feared injuries would bring a premature end to his friend’s career and marvelled at his ability to reclaim his best form after two shoulder reconstructions.

“For what he’s done for this club and this game overall I think he deserves to be in that special group of 300,” he said.

“It’s a wonderful achievement particularly with what he’s gone through.

“He had injuries early in his career, but with the two shoulder surgeries he had to go through there was a stage there where he didn’t know if he was even going to play football again.

“For him to come back and have the season he had last year and to be playing his 300th is pretty special and I’m very proud to say that I’ve played in a lot of those matches with him.”