Billy Slater NRL specials & best bets for Storm vs. Wests

THIS is no ordinary Saturday night fixture for the Melbourne Storm.

After missing round one with a sore shoulder, Billy Slater returns to the side this week to play his 300th game of NRL football.

That means Cameron Munster will revert to five-eighth after a very productive display at fullback in Melbourne’s 36-18 win over the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Ryley Jacks drops out of the side altogether.

Wests Tigers have made only one change to the 17 that pulled off a stunning upset against the Sydney Roosters last weekend.

Ben Matulino is named to start in the front row, with Matt Eisenhuth moving to the interchange bench.

Josh Reynolds remains several weeks away from a Tigers debut after hurting his hamstring in pre-season trials.

Storm vs. Tigers key players

Cameron Munster – This guy’s versatility is an absolute godsend for the Storm. Munster starred with three try assists in round one and could be even more influential from his preferred post in the halves.

Benji Marshall – The Tigers’ win over Sydney was proof that class does not always diminish with age. Marshall ran the show from five-eighth and now faces an intriguing matchup with an in-form Munster.

Billy Slater odds and bet specials

Odds courtesy of Sportsbet.com.au

• First tryscorer – +1000
• Two or more tries – +550
• Slater try/Storm win – +110

How could we look anywhere else? It would only be fitting if one of rugby league’s all-time greats celebrated his milestone game with a few telling contributions. The +110 about Slater to score a try into a Melbourne win looks very good value.

Who wins – Melbourne Storm or Wests Tigers?

The Tigers were impressive in defence against the pre-season premiership favourites, but it must be noted that they caught Sydney at the best possible time. Whereas the Roosters are still sorting things out after an overhaul of the playing list, the Storm look as solid as ever despite the loss of Cooper Cronk. Back the defending champs for a big win in Billy’s 300th.

Top tip: Melbourne Storm -14.5 handicap (-108.7 at Ladbrokes)

Storm vs. Wests team lists

Melbourne 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.

Wests Tigers – 1 Tuimoala Lolohea, 2 Corey Thompson, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Kevin Naiqama, 5 Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 6 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.
 

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