AAMI Park will play host to Sunday's Round 9 NRL game between Melbourne Storm and St George Illawarra Dragons. The game kicks off at 2:00 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. St George Illawarra Dragons game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Sunday May 8, 2022 at 2:00 pm
Where: AAMI Park
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Melbourne Storm vs St George Illawarra Dragons Odds
Melbourne Storm vs St George Illawarra Dragons Preview
Despite chalking up three successive wins for a 4-4 record, St George Illawarra arrive in Melbourne as Round 9’s biggest underdog – the Dragons are getting a whopping 22 points at the line.
The 7-1 Storm have completely dismantled their opposition in recent weeks, averaging an NRL-high (by a mile) 36.6 points per game and outscoring the Warriors and Knights 120-12 in the past two weeks.
The Saints have come out on top in three consecutive cliff-hangers against the Knights (21-16), Roosters (14-12) and Tigers (12-6).
It’s been quite a turnaround – largely inspired by Ben Hunt’s near-career-best form – after four-game slide put Anthony Griffin’s decisions (and future) under the microscope.
Tepai Moeroa is slated to be out for six weeks, which brings Jordan Grant into the Storm side for his first 2022 appearance.
The Dragons’ only change sees Jack Bird return at five-eighth, with Talatau Amone slipping back to the bench and Jayden Sullivan taking up 18th man duties.
The Saints have managed two upset wins in their last five encounters with the Storm, but they have lost their last 15 games in Melbourne.
After their recent efforts, the Dragons would like to think they can at least be competitive in this one…but a hoodoo-busting, boilover victory is highly unlikely.
Six of the Storm’s eight games have gone over the total points line, with only one producing less than 42 points.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Melbourne Storm to win at $1.07 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Ryan Papenhuyzen at $7.25.
Melbourne Storm vs St George Illawarra Dragons Teams
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Nick Meaney 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Josh King 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tyran Wishart 16. Trent Loiero 17. Jordan Grant 18. Chris Lewis 19. Bronson Garlick 20. Jayden Nikorima 21. Cooper Johns 22. Tom Eisenhuth 23. Dean Ieremia 24. Alec MacDonald
Dragons team: 1. Moses Mbye 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jack Bird 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Andrew McCullough 10. George Burgess 11. Tariq Sims 12. Josh Mcguire 13. Jack de Belin 14. Talatau Amone 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Aaron Woods 17. Tyrell Fuimaono 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Cody Ramsey 20. Jack Gosiewski 21. Tyrell Sloan 22. Josh Kerr 23. Jackson Ford 24. Tautau Moga