Dolphins v Storm Rd 16 tips, odds & team news | June 21, 2024

Dolphins v Storm top bets

Round 16: Dolphins v Melbourne Storm preview

The second major bye round of the NRL Premiership kicks off with a top-of-the-table clash between the Dolphins and Melbourne Storm on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.

The Dolphins pulled off an unlikely win against the Sharks in Cronulla last weekend to break a two-game winning streak and cement fourth place on the NRL ladder. A win here would get them one step closer to the top of the ladder.

Meanwhile, the Storm extended their competition lead to two points with a win over the Warriors in New Zealand in round 15. With the Dolphins on their tail and their top stars out of the side, this would be a vital win if the club is to secure another minor premiership.

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett will be without Queensland Maroons representatives Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Felise Kaufusi, while Kurt Donoghue has been dropped. Trai Fuller has been named at fullback, Jesse Bromwich (ribs) returns from injury in the front row, and Tevita Pangai Junior is set to make his club debut from the bench.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy is also without Maroons stars Xavier Coates and Harry Grant but welcomes back Ryan Papenhuyzen at fullback after an ankle injury. Sualauvi Faalogo moves to the wing to cover Coates, with Will Warbrick named on the other side.

Dean Ieremia makes way for Grant Anderson in the centres and Bronson Garlick has been named to start at hooker. Reimis Smith is in the extended reserves and could be a late inclusion for Anderson.

With Papnehuyzen’s inclusion, NRL betting sites have brought in the Storm’s odds to $1.46 from as long as $1.67.

Dolphins v Storm R16 team lists

Dolphins

1. Trai Fuller
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Jake Averillo
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Jack Bostock
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Jesse Bromwich
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Kenneath Bromwich
11. Connelly Lemuelu
12. Euan Aitken
13. Max Plath
14. Josh Kerr
15. Mark Nicholls
16. Ray Stone
17. Tevita Pangai Junior

Melbourne Storm

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen
2. Will Warbrick
3. Grant Anderson
4. Nick Meaney
5. Sualauvi Faalogo
6. Tyran Wishart
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Tui Kamikamica
9. Bronson Garlick
10. Josh King
11. Shawn Blore
12. Eliesa Katoa
13. Trent Loiero
14. Jack Howarth
15. Christian Welch
16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
17. Joe Chan

Dolphins v Storm Rd 16 predictions

These two sides have only met once, in a game played at this ground, where a four-try first half for Melbourne was enough to hold off a fast-finishing Dolphins outfit. The Storm have only lost seven matches in total at Suncorp Stadium, but the underdogs have won seven of the Dolphins’ last eight matches. However, the Storm are a fantastic team at this ground and are a safe bet to win at -217.39 with top NRL bookies.

The Storm have struggled to stop other teams from crossing the try line of late, leading to each of their last five matches exceeding the total points line. However, without Tabuai-Fidow, Grant and Coates on the field, this could be a hard-fought clash in the middle third of the field. Go for under 49.5 points scored (-111.11).

Storm second-rower Eliesa Katoa has formed a lethal combination with halfback Jahrome Hughes, scoring seven tries in 13 games this season. Katoa will be taking on the smaller and less experienced Connelly Lemuelu, so he is a great value bet at Neds to score a try (+165).

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