NRL Round 26 Preview and Prediction - Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders
Melbourne Storm (1st) v Canberra Raiders (10th) @ AAMI Park
Preview - The Minor Premiership winning Storm host the out of contention Canberra Raiders in a game of little meaning in the context of the ladder at AAMI Park on Saturday night. The Storm have had a near flawless regular season, losing just 4 games, whilst securing their biggest win of the season last week, hopelessly outclassing South Sydney in a mammoth 64-6 massacre. The only problem I envisage for the Storm right now is they are such a prohibitive favourite that the pressure in the finals will be immense to get the job done. The Raiders beat Newcastle 46-28 last week, however were eliminated from the finals race when the Sea Eagles came from behind to beat the Warriors. In a season that they came into as one of the favourites for the Premiership, having fallen just 2 points short of a Grand Final last season, it can only be described as a season of gross underachievement in Canberra.
History - These two sides met as recently as Round 20 when the Storm held on for a 20-14 victory, despite the fact they lost both Cameron Smith and Billy Slater to injuries during the game. Last year, the Storm hosted the Raiders in an intense Preliminary Final, with the Storm edging the result 14-12 in a game where the Raiders blew a couple of golden chances. Overall, the Storm hold a dominant record against Canberra having won 28 and lost just 11.
Melbourne Storm Scouting Report - The Storm have named an unchanged side from the one that obliterated Souths, however it will be interesting to see if Craig Bellamy decides to rest a player or two. Their two wingers in Josh Addo Carr and Suliasi Vunivalu have been sensational, and no more so than last week with them both putting in dynamic displays.
Canberra Raiders’ Scouting Report - Sia Soliola is sure to receive a hot welcome from the Melbourne fans as he returns to the Raiders’ team after missing 5 weeks for his late hit which knocked out Billy Slater. Elliott Whitehead has been the Raiders’ most consistent players this season and he shifts to the second row and Joe Tapine back to the interchange bench.
Verdict - Storm by 6-14
Hard game to call here although you wouldn't think the Storm would want their standards to slip on the eve of the finals, despite having little to gain here. The Raiders may actually be more dangerous with nothing to play for as I don’t think they are the mentally toughest team when the pressure is on. However, Melbourne are a force to be reckoned with at home, and I think they can expose the Raiders’ defensive frailties. The Raiders generally play the Storm really close, and I expect them to give them a few problems here, but for the Storm to be too professional and classy in the end and win by a try or two.