Melbourne Storm

The Eels, coming off grand final defeat to the Panthers in October, looked strong in their Pre-season Challenge win over Newcastle with Josh Hodgson slotting into the dummy half role alongside premier halves Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown. 

Storm coach Craig Bellamy faces perhaps his biggest challenge to get his new-look squad back to a premiership threat after a first-week finals exit in 2022. 

Olam walked off the field with a fractured arm in last Sunday’s preseason game with Roosters; a mega-blow for the Storm.

Melbourne Storm confirmed the news on Monday morning of his injury. “Scans taken late yesterday (Sunday) have confirmed that Storm Centre Justin Olam suffered a fractured forearm in the pre-season match against the Roosters in Geelong. Justin will undergo surgery which will then provide a clearer indication on his recovery period. The current estimation is he will be sidelined for six weeks,” the club stated.

The result marks 12-straight wins for the Storm over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, a record stretching back to 2009, and puts Craig Bellamy's side four points clear of their nearest top-four challenger for the time being.

It was just the second time in club history that Brisbane have given up 60 points in a match, and all but ends their hopes of finishing in the top four, with Kevin Walters' side still not even assured of qualifying for the finals with two rounds remaining. 

The Broncos got back on track with a win over the Knights and sit sixth on the ladder while the Storm were ultra impressive in their shutout of the Panthers.

When the two sides met in Melbourne in Round 15 it was the Storm getting home 32-20 so they'll be full of confidence, particularly given the form of Cameron Munster at fullback.

The Broncos have superstars of their own in Adam Reynolds, Payne Haas and Kotoni Staggs, all capable of carving up the defence if given too much room to move.

Penrith had 55 per cent of possession and more than 50 tackles within 20 metres of Melbourne's try line but failed to score a point for the first time in a match since the Storm shut them out 20-0 in 2015.

It was Melbourne's third consecutive win, while the Panthers have now lost two of their last three games to give North Queensland hope of snatching the JJ Giltinan Shield when the top two sides meet in the final round at QCB Stadium.

Once again they both sit inside the top four with the Panthers on the cusp of securing their second minor premiership in three years.

Penrith allayed fears that they would go into freefall without halfback Nathan Cleary in their side with a comfortable 26-6 victory over Canberra last week, with the performance showcasing the depth coach Ivan Cleary has at his disposal.

Munster, who played predominantly as a fullback for the first four seasons of his NRL career, was a late inclusion at the back as cover for the injured Nick Meaney and didn't disappoint, scoring 20 points all up thanks to his three tries and four conversions. 

Hughes, who suffered the injury late in the first half and played through to the break before being taken from the game, will have scans on Saturday, while the Storm will also wait to see what comes of Brandon Smith being placed on report for a hip-drop style tackle on 28 minutes. 

A top-four finish will be the focus for Melbourne who face a tough run home with games against the Panthers, Broncos, Roosters and Eels after this weekend.

The Titans are out to restore pride after a horror season and if they are to rattle the Storm's cage much will depend on David Fifita and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui laying a foundation for AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell to work off.

The Storm led from the seventh minute when PNG centre Justin Olam scored the opening try of the match but they were never comfortable until the fulltime siren as the Warriors refused to give up before a capacity home crowd.

Warriors winger Ed Kosi scored a hat-trick of tries but it wasn't enough to lift the New Zealand-based side to their second win in as many matches since ending their three year exodus.

Despite their current slump the Storm remain just two points adrift of the top four and have it all to play for, while the Warriors will be motivated to give their home fans something to cheer about in their second game at Mt Smart Stadium this year. 

The last time they met on Anzac Day the Storm scored 10 tries in the second half to run out 70-10 winners, and the Warriors haven't beaten Melbourne since 2015.