NRL Round 13 Preview and Prediction - Melbourne Storm v Newcastle Knights @ AAMI Park

Melbourne Storm v Newcastle Knights @ AAMI Park
 
Preview - It's first versus last on the NRL ladder as the Storm host the Knights at AAMI Park on Friday night. The Storm has been as consistent as ever over the opening 12 weeks of the season, winning 9 and losing just 2 games. After giving up 38 points in their loss to the Titans, the Storm were back to their miserly defensive best as they ground out a 14-6 victory in wet conditions against the Rabbitohs. The Knights remain rooted to the bottom with just 2 victories despite many improved showings this season. Coming off a great victory at home against the Raiders, the Knights were well on track to make it back-to-back victories at home against Penrith, leading 14-0 at halftime, before collapsing and conceding 30 points in the second half. 
 
History – Interestingly, the Knights have a decent record against the Storm having won 3 of the past 6 encounters. Whilst the Storm won both clashes in 2016, they were both by just 4 points in a season where the Knights managed just a single victory. The Storm have won 8 from the past 11 clashes, and 21 from 36 overall against the Knights. 
 
Melbourne Storm Scouting Report - It remains to be seen whether the Storm’s Origin stars in Cronk, Smith and Chambers will back up after Queensland suffered a huge loss at Suncorp in Origin 1. One man who will be desperate for a big performance is the snubbed Billy Slater who was a shock omission from the Queensland side for Game 1. 
 
Newcastle Knights’ Scouting Report - Nathan Brown has recalled winger Nathan Ross a week after dumping the in-form winger to Reserve Grade after his comments regarding his contract situation. Jaelen Feeney has made the halfback position his own in the past couple of games with impressive performances against the Raiders and Panthers. Coach Nathan Brown has never been afraid to make the hard calls and Trent Hopkinson remains in the wilderness, only named on an extended bench.
 
Verdict - Melbourne 1-12 in a low scoring game

With the Storm's Origin stars potentially set to play 3 games in 8 days, I would not be surprised if Bellamy decides to rest Cameron Smith given that he pulled up a bit sore post Origin. That would make this game a much more even contest and, with the Knights recent improved form, would give them a genuine chance of causing an upset. However, I still think the Storm has some good options including rookie half Brodie Croft and could still scramble across the line against the Knights, even without Smith. It will be interesting to see Billy Slater's performance in this game after he was ignored by Queensland selectors for game 1 of Origin.