Here's the true test of how Newcastle are going. They've won six in a row and knocked off some top teams, but a full-strength Melbourne will be the greatest indication of where they're sitting midway through the season.
It's a tough time to draw the Storm, that is during the Origin period but in a week that falls just before selection so no players are missing.
The Knights have confidence, though, which can make up for a lot in rugby league. If they can cut down another tall poppy it will be the first time since 2002 they have put together seven wins on the trot.
Match: Storm v Knights
Round 14 -
home Team
Storm
1st Position
away Team
Knights
6th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
The Rundown
Team news
Storm: The Storm will line up 1-17 as named on Tuesday. Winning form is good form so Craig Bellamy has stuck with the same 17 which took care of the Warriors last weekend. The Storm sit a game clear on top of the table and will look to consolidate that position by beating the Knights. Tui Kamikamica and Sandor Earl were cut an hour before kick-off, while Tino Faasuamaleaui and Justin Olam were trimmed from the reserves on Friday.
Knights: Josh King (corked thigh) has been ruled out and replaced on the bench by Pasami Saulo. Also dropping out of the squad on Friday was Aidan Guerra. Kalyn Ponga is back in the No.1 jersey after he was rested by Nathan Brown following Origin I. Mason Lino and Jacob Saifiti were the last players cut before kick-off.
Match: Storm v Knights
Round 14 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Jahrome HughesFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Suliasi VunivaluWinger for Knights is number 2 Edrick Lee
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Centre for Storm is number 3 Will ChambersCentre for Knights is number 3 Hymel Hunt
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Centre for Storm is number 4 Marion SeveCentre for Knights is number 4 Jesse Ramien
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Winger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Knights is number 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall
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Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kurt Mann
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Halfback for Storm is number 7 Brodie CroftHalfback for Knights is number 7 Mitchell Pearce
Forwards
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Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse BromwichProp for Knights is number 8 James Gavet
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Hooker for Storm is number 9 Cameron SmithHooker for Knights is number 9 Connor Watson
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Prop for Storm is number 10 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaProp for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
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2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
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2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Mitchell Barnett
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Lock for Storm is number 13 Dale FinucaneLock for Knights is number 13 Tim Glasby
Interchange
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Interchange for Storm is number 14 Brandon SmithInterchange for Knights is number 14 Jamie Buhrer
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Interchange for Storm is number 15 Christian WelchInterchange for Knights is number 15 Herman Ese'ese
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Interchange for Storm is number 16 Joe StimsonInterchange for Knights is number 17 Sione Mata'utia
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Interchange for Storm is number 17 Ryan PapenhuyzenInterchange for Knights is number 19 Pasami Saulo
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Referee: Gavin Badger
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell
Last updated:
Key match-up
Mitchell Pearce wants another shot at the Blues and he can state his case against the Maroons five-eighth in Cameron Munster. NSW struggled to contain the Storm playmaker in game one, so if Pearce can dominate here, Brad Fittler will have to take notice.
For the Storm to win
It will come through their forwards. The Knights pack were without David Klemmer last week but went toe to toe with the might of South Sydney's big men, but that is still where the Storm can have the most success. Go through the middle, tire them out and the likes of Munster and Cameron Smith can expose them there.
For the Knights to win
They must smother them. Get up quick and don't give them space to move the ball around where their dangerous backline can take advantage. The Storm have fast hands and lots of speed, it's about nullifying the effectiveness of that.
Brett Kimmorley says
The Knights are on fire. They're playing a pretty simple brand of football that relies on enthusiasm and taking the ball over the advantage line and playing it square, and if they can do that and create momentum against the Melbourne Storm it'll be a good test to see where they're at. It's a huge night for Mitchell Pearce – if he's able to ice a victory over the Storm he could win his old Blues jersey back. But if anyone can find a way to stop the Knights it'll be a Craig Bellamy-coached side. Storm by 4.
Stat Attack
Recent head-to-head against Newcastle doesn't count for much, nearly every team has a good record. With Melbourne though, it stretches further than that. They've won the past six clashes, back to 2016, and in the 11 matches before that (going back to 2010) the ledger is 8-3 in the Storm's favour.
And another thing ...
A Knights win would complete a top-three trifecta for them, having knocked off second and third spot in the Rabbitohs and Roosters their past two matches. Both those teams were understrength, it could be argued (though the Knights were missing Origin players against Souths too) whereas they will face Melbourne with all their might. There will be no denying they're a danger team in 2019 if they get up.
