Eels v Storm
Eels 2.14
Storm 1.71
Eels +2.5 (1.85) / Storm -2.5 (1.96)
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Both teams head into this match missing backrow stars from 2022.
For the Eels, they will be without Papali’i (Wests), Lane (injured) and Matterson (suspension).
For the Storm, they will be without J Bromwich and Kaufusi (both at Dolphins) but also without J Bromwich and Tui Kamikamica in the middle, as well as Olam out wide. Throw in the continued absence of Papi at 1 and Welch returning from a long layoff, and I am really surprised the bookies have the Storm favourites.
From the Storm team that won the competition in 2020, only four players will be running out against the Eels in Round 1 of 2023 (Munster, Hughes, Nelson and Welch). That is an incredible amount of turnover in a short period of time and although Coach Bellamy always reinvents this squad, I think the Storm could struggle for a few of the opening weeks in 2023 due to a few crucial outs and the star players in the spine backing up after a grueling 2022 capped off by the World Cup ending in November.
The Storm has an amazing round 1 record, but the Eels are also traditionally fast starters. They will miss Mahoney but I think the home ground advantage will be enough to get them the win here against a new look Storm.
Eels by 4.
