Melbourne v Manly Preview

For reasons laboriously examined, the Storm will field a vastly different looking line-up to the one that started the 2010 season but that has not stopped betting operators from installing Melbourne as favourites to knock over Manly this Saturday nigh

Key to their considerations is the appearance of the Storm’s star trio of hooker Cameron Smith, halfback Cooper Cronk and fullback Billy Slater. When the salary cap furore broke last year it was the number one priority for coach Craig Bellamy to retain his three most important players and despite the influx of new talent the Storm retain a formidable look.

Bellamy can be assured that his main men will organise the team and provide crucial direction from the ruck, a pinpoint kicking game and safety at the back.

Manly coach Des Hasler would envy Bellamy’s position as he goes into a second consecutive season with a halfback untried at NRL level. He will be hoping that Daly Cherry-Evans can step up to the plate as Trent Hodkinson did in 2010 and he will also be watching nervously as fullback Brett Stewart makes his comeback from a second serious knee injury.

With the incentive of premiership points up for grabs for the first time in almost 12 months, expect the Storm to display a fierce determination and win here by 1-12 points.