Match day guide and preview for the 2022 NRL round 18 game between the Raiders and the Storm.

Match details

Who: Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders

When: Sunday 17 July 4.05pm

Where: AAMI Park Melbourne

Weather: min 9 max 15, chance of rain 95%, 5 to 10 mm

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Head-to-head record: Played 50. Raiders 14 wins. Storm 36 wins.

Raiders and Storm team lists

UPDATE: The Raiders have been forced into a few late changes with Elliott Whitehead (knee), Nick Cotric (leg) and Corey Horsburgh (illness) all ruled out, with Corey Harawira-Naera, Albert Hopoate and Emre Guler all into the 17. Adam Elliott moves into the second row with Harawira-Naera and Guler coming onto the bench. James Schiller moves onto the wing with Hopoate to make his Raiders debut off the bench.

Canberra prop Josh Papalii will back up after being part of the Origin winning Queensland side, while Jack Wighton will play after being 18th man for NSW. The departing Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is out with James Schiller coming onto the bench.

Brandon Smith has been suspended after calling referee Adam Gee a ‘cheating bastard’ during last week’s 28-6 loss to the Sharks. Harry Grant replaces him and has been named to back up from Origin at hooker. Star five-eighth Cameron Munster has been named with Nick Meaney shifting back to the wing. Felise Kaufusi returns in the back row after spending time with his ill father in the US.

Season so far

Raiders 11^th | 280 points for | 321 points against | 7 wins & 9 losses | LWLWL

The Raiders put together a four game winning streak in the middle of the year but have since struggled for consistency, winning just two of their last five matches.

They could count themselves unlucky against the Dragons after they were denied a clear penalty that would have sent the game into golden point.

Canberra a still a chance at sneaking into 8th spot but they are going to need to start a run quickly as we approach the final stages of the season.

Storm 4^th | 469 points for | 288 points against | 11 wins & 5 losses | LLWWW

We aren’t used to seeing the Storm lose two matches in a row but it has now happened twice this season after last week’s 28-6 loss to the Sharks.

They just haven’t looked like the same team we’ve seen dominate in recent years, especially since they were thumped by the Panthers and Cowboys earlier in the season.

With such a talented spine consisting of Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cam Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant, Melbourne are still likely to be a top four side, but they are just slightly behind those top two sides at the moment.

Last 5 meetings and AAMI Park history

• 2022 round 5: Raiders 16 – 30 Storm at McDonalds Park Wagga Wagga
• 2021 round 22: Storm 26 – 16 Raiders at Sunshine Coast Stadium
• 2021 round 11: Raiders 10 – Storm 34 at GIO Stadium
• 2020 Preliminary Final: Storm 30 – 10 Raiders at Suncorp Stadium
• 2020 round 9: Raiders 14 – 20 Storm at GIO Stadium

The Raiders were building a decent record with three in a row over the Storm, but Melbourne have responded by winning the last five in a row.

They were far too good for the Raiders when they played earlier this season, with halfback Jahrome Hughes starring with two tries.

The sides haven’t played each other in Melbourne since the early stages of 2020 where the Raiders won 22-6. In fact Canberra has beaten the Storm the last three times they have met in Melbourne, including the 2019 Qualifying Final.

Pre match predictions

Munster madness: Cam Munster to unleash some of his anger from missing the Origin decider with a try and a try assist. Storm by 6

Back up plan: Queenslanders Josh Papalii and Harry Grant to back up in style for their respective teams, each bagging a try or try assist. Storm by 10– Denholm Samaras

Other match details

The match will be broadcast live on Channel Nine and Fox League channel 502 at 4pm. It is also available to stream on Kayo. Overseas fans can watch via Watch NRL.

You can listen to the match on Raiders on Mix (Mix106.3 FM), Radio 2CC (1206 AM) and ABC Grandstand (666).