Parramatta's rivalry with Melbourne will reignite this Thursday as the Eels and Storm collide in the opening match of the 2023 NRL season.
The Eels have enjoyed great success against the Storm in recent seasons, and will be out to snap a 21-year record of Melbourne's on Thursday night.
CommBank Stadium will play host to the 2023 season-opener, which promises to be an enthralling affair between two powerhouse sides.
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Team News
The Eels have named an exciting line-up for Round 1 featuring six club debutants.
Josh Hodgson will start at hooker, while Matt Doorey and J’maine Hopgood slot into the back row. Fellow new recruits Jirah Momoisea and Jack Murchie feature on the bench, while Isaac Lumelume has been called up to the wing.
The Eels’ halves and front row personnel are unchanged from the end of 2022, while Wiremu Greig and Makahesi Makatoa round out the interchange.
Melbourne have named a strong line-up including the likes of Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant, as well as club debutant Eli Katoa and NRL debutant Will Warbrick.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
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Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika SivoWinger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
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Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
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Centre for Eels is number 4 Waqa BlakeCentre for Storm is number 4 Young Tonumaipea
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Winger for Eels is number 22 Isaac LumelumeWinger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
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Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan BrownFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
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Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
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Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Storm is number 8 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
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Hooker for Eels is number 9 Josh HodgsonHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
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Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
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2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Bryce Cartwright2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Trent Loiero
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2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Matt Doorey2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
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Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine HopgoodLock for Storm is number 13 Josh King
Interchange
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Interchange for Eels is number 14 Jirah MomoiseaInterchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
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Interchange for Eels is number 15 Jack MurchieInterchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonald
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Interchange for Eels is number 16 Wiremu GreigInterchange for Storm is number 17 Jordan Grant
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Interchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi MakatoaInterchange for Storm is number 19 Bronson Garlick
Reserves
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Replacement for Eels is number 18 Jake ArthurReplacement for Storm is number 16 Chris Lewis
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Recent History
Match Highlights: Storm v Eels
Parramatta have been a formidable foe of Melbourne’s in recent years, winning all four of their latest meetings and five of the last six.
The Eels enjoyed a pair of great wins over Melbourne in 2022: a golden point thriller early in the season, and a tight victory in a final-round top 4 shootout.
Key Stat
One of two extraordinary records will come to an end on Thursday night; either the Eels’ four-year, uninterrupted stint inside the NRL’s top 8, or the Storm’s 21-year unbeaten run in Round 1 fixtures.
Key Match-Up
Each of the last four matches between Parramatta and Melbourne has been decided by two tries or less, so the halves battle promises to be vital.
The final moments of golden point
With another close encounter on the cards, Parramatta's Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses are set to come to the fore, as are Melbourne's Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes.
Form Guide
Parramatta enter 2023 in a strong position. On the back of a Grand Final appearance and a promising pre-season campaign, the Eels will be eager to maintain their momentum with an opening round victory.
NRL Trial Match Highlights: Knights v Eels
Standing in their way, the Storm are perennial Round 1 winners and looked strong in their final trial match against the Warriors.
Match Information
Match: Eels v Storm
Round 1 -
home Team
Eels
12th Position
away Team
Storm
6th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney