McDonald Jones Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 8 NRL game between Newcastle Knights and Melbourne Storm. 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 Newcastle Knights vs. Melbourne Storm game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Sunday May 1, 2022 at 2:00 pm
Where: McDonald Jones Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm Odds
Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm Preview
Melbourne won by 60 points last week and Newcastle lost by 37 – the scoreline on Sunday afternoon could be anything.
The Storm were arguably fortunate to be in front at halftime against the Warriors, before piling on 10 tries in the second stanza. Xavier Coates finished with four, while Dally M Medal leader Ryan Papenhuyzen was scintillating with two tries and three try assists.
The wheels have fallen off at Newcastle, demolished 39-2 at home by Parramatta last Sunday with some of the weakest goal-line defence you’ll ever see one of the hallmarks. None of the 2-5 Knights’ forwards ran for 90 metres and they have now scored just 24 points in their past four matches.
Compounding matters for the embattled Knights, Dane Gagai is out and will be replaced by novice Simi Sasagi in the centres with Sauaso Sue joining the bench. The Storm are unchanged.
The Storm are on a 10-match winning streak against the Knights. The smallest winning margin in the teams’ last eight encounters was 10 points, while the Storm obliterated the Knights 48-4 at Robina last season – a record in the club’s rivalry for highest score and biggest margin.
Both marks could be threatened this weekend.
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 $6.80.
Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm Teams
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Jake Clifford 7. Adam Clune 8. David Klemmer 9. Chris Randall 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Brodie Jones 13. Kurt Mann 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Leo Thompson 17. Sauaso Sue 18. Tex Hoy 19. Jack Johns 20. Brayden Musgrove 21. Pasami Saulo 22. Dylan Lucas 23. Jaron Purcell 24. Krystian Mapapalangi
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. Tepai Moeroa 18. Chris Lewis 19. Marion Seve 20. Alec MacDonald 21. Jordan Grant 22. Jack Howarth 23. Bronson Garlick 24. Cooper Johns