3 minute read
Melbourne Storm are sitting pretty at the top of the NRL ladder heading into Saturday’s showdown against the Canberra Raiders.
The Storm have won 11 of their 14 games so far this season and look the main threat to the Penrith Panthers, who are targeting four premierships on the spin.
The Panthers are priced at 2.90 to win the 2024 grand final while the Storm and Sydney Roosters are both available at 5.50.
With coach Craig Bellamy at the helm and a squad packed with quality, the Storm look sure to be in the mix, but they cannot afford to take the foot off the gas.
Canberra Raiders have high hopes of making the eight and can be backed at 3.25 to play finals, but there is work to be done.
The Raiders have lost the last two games and sit 10th on the ladder. They are one of five teams sat on 18 points and need to get their act together quickly.
. What: Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders
. Where: AAMI Park, Melbourne
. When: 19:35 (AEST), Saturday 29th June 2024
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel, Channel 9
. Odds: Melbourne Storm 1.20, Canberra Raiders 4.50
Storm wait on Origin duo
The Storm will be keeping their fingers crossed regards Harry Grant and Xavier Coates, who will both be representing Queensland in game two of State of Origin.
Wednesday's clash against New South Wales will be played at the MCG in Melbourne, which should aid their recovery ahead of the weekend.
But until the duo come through unscathed, Bellamy will be a nervous coach.
The Storm passed another stern examination last weekend when beating the in-form Dolphins 30-24 at Suncorp Stadium.
Ryan Papenhuyzen was back in the side after recovering from injury and capped a fine performance with a try.
Coates will also be a huge threat if he comes through Origin unscathed and takes his place in the side.
The winger has scored 29 tries in 24 outings at AAMI Park and will take some stopping on Saturday night.
Melbourne won 48-2 in this fixture last season and are priced at 1.75 to win by 13+ points in this latest meeting.
Wounded Raiders need a response
Coach Ricky Stuart was almost lost for words following his side's inept display against Wests Tigers at the weekend.
The lowly Tigers romped to a 48-24 win at Campbelltown and Stuart will be demanding a response from his players at AAMI Park.
There is no love lost between the two clubs, and Stuart will also be hoping that will fire up his players even more.
They have shown form at the venue in the past, winning five of their past six games there, including an eight-point win in 2022.
If they are to bounce back and do the same again, the green machine are priced at 6.00 to win by 1-12 points.
There will need to be a big improvement on the last two games, however, after conceding a total of 82 points.
The Raiders will also hope to put on a good show for winger Nick Cotric, who will be making his 150th NRL appearance.
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