Storm v Broncos: Loiero, MacDonald back on deck; Reynolds to miss
Melbourne have their sights on grand final redemption as they prepare to host a desperate Broncos side at AAMI Park on Friday night.
The Storm have used last year's grand final defeat to Brisbane as motivation in an impressive start to the season, claiming big wins over the Eels and Dragons.
Friday's clash provides a new test against a Broncos team still searching for the form that led them to a drought-breaking title in 2025.
After falling to Penrith in Round 1, Michael Maguire's side suffered a shock loss to Parramatta last week and they are eager to avoid an 0-3 start to the year.
Records aside, there are plenty of sensational positional battles dotted around the park. Fullbacks Reece Walsh and Sua Fa'alogo will go head to head, as will five-eighths Ezra Mam and Cameron Munster.
The battle up front promises to be mouthwatering, with Payne Haas looking to lay the foundation for the Broncos. Back-rowers Ativalu Lisati and Joe Chan have been phenomenal for the Storm this year and they are eager to keep the momentum rolling on Friday night.
Brisbane have already conceded 66 points this year and they will have to tighten up their defence if they are to defeat a side that has scored points at will this season.
Melbourne have scored 98 points in two games courtesy of one of the most scintillating backlines in the competition and the Storm are eager to keep the points flowing this weekend.
Match: Storm v Broncos
Round 3 -
home Team
Storm
5th Position
away Team
Broncos
13th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Team News
Storm: Back-rower Alec MacDonald returns from concussion and will start in place of Ativalu Lisati, who faces a month out after suffering a calf strain during the week. The interchange bench includes a return for Trent Loiero following his two-game suspension, alongside a potential Storm debut for playmaker Trent Toelau.
Broncos: Skipper Adam Reynolds was named on Tuesday but has been ruled out due to rib cartilage damage. "I thought he was going to play but he just unfortunately couldn't make the trip down," coach Michael Maguire said on Thursday. Ben Hunt starts the game at halfback and Blake Mozer joins the six-man bench in jersey No.20. Cook Islands star Brendan Piakura is also in the mix for his first appearance of the year after recovering from off-season knee injury and has been listed in jumper No.18. Former Storm flyer Grant Anderson comes on to the wing for his Broncos debut, with Deine Mariner shifting to the centres and Gehamat Shibasaki moving to the interchange.
Match: Storm v Broncos
Round 3 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi FaalogoFullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece Walsh
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will WarbrickWinger for Broncos is number 2 Josiah Karapani
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack HowarthCentre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
-
Centre for Storm is number 4 Moses LeoCentre for Broncos is number 4 Deine Mariner
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Nick MeaneyWinger for Broncos is number 5 Grant Anderson
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Broncos is number 14 Ben Hunt
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Broncos is number 8 Corey Jensen
-
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Broncos is number 9 Cory Paix
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Joe Chan2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Xavier Willison
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 18 Alec MacDonald2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Tui KamikamicaLock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran WishartInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Ben Talty
-
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Trent LoieroInterchange for Broncos is number 18 Brendan Piakura
-
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Cooper Clarke
-
Interchange for Storm is number 19 Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown
Reserves
-
Reserve for Storm is number 16 Davvy MoaleReserve for Broncos is number 16 Aublix Tawha
-
Reserve for Storm is number 20 Jack HetheringtonReserve for Broncos is number 17 Gehamat Shibasaki
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 19 Jaiyden Hunt
-
Reserve for Broncos is number 20 Blake Mozer
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm have won their last nine games against the Broncos at AAMI Park.
- The Broncos have conceded 66 points in their opening two games.
- The Storm have scored 13 tries in 14 games against the Broncos.
- Broncos fullback Reece Walsh has scored 28 points in his last two games against the Storm.
- Storm coach Craig Bellamy has won 14 from 17 against Michael Maguire-coached teams.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
