Roosters – Melbourne | 7.00pm Monday 1 June, Allianz Stadium
These two glamour clubs played out one of the best games of the season back in Round 7 which was settled by a late Cooper Cronk field goal but with both sides heavily affected by Origin commitments a far more attritional encounter may be expected on Monday night. Back to back wins for the Roosters have gotten their season back on track but with the representative season likely to take its toll coach Trent Robinson would love to bag another two points here. Melbourne have the most underrated pack in the NRL and while they might not receive too many plaudits the likes of Kevin Proctor and Jesse Bromwich are the kinds of players that coaches love given their wholehearted efforts week on week, with Bromwich surely steeling himself for a tough battle with countryman Jared Wearea-Hargreaves. Unsurprisingly, the Storm battled through this crucial part of the season last year, winning just two of six matches during the Origin period and that may be a notable statistic when assessing this one. Obviously it will be important to check the team sheets but the Roosters might have a bit more depth and their second-tier players might just carry them across the line.
Last time they met: Round 7 – Melbourne 17-16 Roosters
Easts by 4
These two glamour clubs played out one of the best games of the season back in Round 7 which was settled by a late Cooper Cronk field goal but with both sides heavily affected by Origin commitments a far more attritional encounter may be expected on Monday night. Back to back wins for the Roosters have gotten their season back on track but with the representative season likely to take its toll coach Trent Robinson would love to bag another two points here. Melbourne have the most underrated pack in the NRL and while they might not receive too many plaudits the likes of Kevin Proctor and Jesse Bromwich are the kinds of players that coaches love given their wholehearted efforts week on week, with Bromwich surely steeling himself for a tough battle with countryman Jared Wearea-Hargreaves. Unsurprisingly, the Storm battled through this crucial part of the season last year, winning just two of six matches during the Origin period and that may be a notable statistic when assessing this one. Obviously it will be important to check the team sheets but the Roosters might have a bit more depth and their second-tier players might just carry them across the line.
Last time they met: Round 7 – Melbourne 17-16 Roosters
Easts by 4