NRL Round 24 Preview and Prediction - Newcastle Knights v Melbourne Storm @ McDonald Jones Stadium

Newcastle Knights (16th) v Melbourne Storm (1st) @ McDonald Jones Stadium

Preview – It’s the battle of first versus last on the table, as the Storm visit Newcastle to take on a resurgent Knights’ team on Saturday afternoon. The Knights are flying high, despite sitting in last place, having won their last 3 games to make it 5 wins for the season, after managing just one victory last year. The Knights stunned Parramatta last week in what was their best performance of the season, demanding from start to finish to win 28-12. The Storm wrapped up the Minor Premiership with a bruising 18-13 victory over the Roosters in the Top of the Table battle. The Storm trailed with 3 minutes to go, before a try at the death showed this side is never beaten. 

History - These 2 sides met earlier in the early where the Storm ran roughshod over the Knights at AAMi park winning 40-12. Newcastle have been far more competitive at home against Melbourne having won 2 from the past 5 clashes against Melbourne at McDonald Jones Stadium. 

Newcastle Knights’ Scouting Report - No surprises to see the Knights are unchanged from the side that stunned the Eels at ANZ Stadium last week. Brock Lamb continued his good form last week, scoring a try and maybe making a case for the Knights’ starting halfback next season over Trent Hopkinson. 

Melbourne Storm Scouting Report - Tim Glasby is out for the Storm, with Jordan McLean coming into the starting front row. Cameron Munster looks set to return after 3 weeks out with injury, meaning there is no room for Ryley Jacks. Tohu Harris has been named on an extended interchange bench, but is not expected to return this week. 

 Verdict - Storm by 10-18

Hard to think the Knights can win a 4th game in a row, although I reckon they might push the Storm a bit closer than people think. The Storm are now 3 games clear in first place, and actually have not much to play for here. However, they will always want to keep their high standards. The Knights are playing with confidence and youth at the moment and I expect them to get a big home crowd here off the back of 3 wins, and perhaps play with a little more motivation than the Storm. I reckon this game could be pretty close, but the Storm to grind out a win, be it by less than 12 points.