This preview has expired.

See all our latest betting tips or suggested betting sites

Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels Preview & Tips - Storm to dominate in NRL Round 1

Jeremy Darke

Editor

Last updated: 08 Mar 2025

Jeremy Darke 08 Mar 2025

Share this article

Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels expert predictions for Sunday’s Round 1 NRL game
Craig Bellamy aims for a 23rd consecutive Round 1 win
Parramatta Eels struggling with injuries, Mitch Moses out

Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels Preview

Craig Bellamy has won 22 straight Round 1 matches and can extend that with his Melbourne Storm team recording a dominant victory.

Melbourne won their final 3 games of 2024 at AAMI Park by 27 points or more.
Craig Bellamy has won 22 consecutive first round matches with the Storm.
Melbourne have scored 30+ points in their last 3 matches against Parramatta
Ryan Papenhuyzen has scored 29 tries in 35 games at AAMI Park.

Head to Head

Melbourne won both clashes with Parramatta in 2024 by margins of 18 & 32 points.

The double-victory extended the Storm’s win streak over the Eels to 4, with Parramatta not beating Melbourne since the 202 season.

Melbourne Storm Form

The Storm were a quarter of a game and just 8 points away from a Premiership in 2024, going down to the Panthers 14-6 in the Grand Final last season, unable to turn their Minor Premiership into another ring.

Melbourne struggled with injury to their big stars all season long last year, but you would not have known it by looking at their results, ending the regular season with 19 wins from 24 matches, while crating 6.7 linebreaks per game (1st in NRL) and scoring an average of 29 points per game (2nd in NRL).

Jahrome Hughes was the constant for Melbourne in 2024, winning the Dally M Medal, scoring 12 tries, assisting 31, while also orchestrating 26 linebreaks. Hughes was also the game manager and his kicking game both from his own half and also inside his opposition 20 was arguably the best in the business last season.

Melbourne Storm Team News

Melbourne are fully fit for Round 1 with concerns over Ryan Papenhuyzen, Xavier Coates and Jahrome Hughes all squashed on team list day.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona is suspended for Round 1, while new recruit Stefano Utoikamanu will slot straight into the front row for his new club.

Melbourne Storm Team List

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen

2. Will Warbrick

3. Jack Howarth

4. Nick Meaney

5. Xavier Coates

6. Cameron Munster

7. Jahrome Hughes

8. Stefano Utoikamanu

9. Harry Grant

10. Josh King

11. Shawn Blore

12. Eli Katoa

13. Trent Loiero

Interchange

14. Tyran Wishart

15. Alec MacDonald

16. Tui Kamikamica

17. Lazarus Vaalepu

Reserves

18. Grant Anderson

19. Bronson Garlick

20. Joe Chan

21. Sua Fa'alogo

22. Kane Bradley

Parramatta Eels Form

Parramatta won their final two games of the season to avoid the Wooden Spoon by 2 competition points in 2024.

NSW halfback Mitchell Moses played just 8 games for the Eels in 2024 and will start the season once again on the sideline, when his team needs him the most.

Despite the Eels ranking eighth in attack in 2024, they only mustered 7 wins, due to their treacherous defence. Parramatta conceded the second most linebreaks, at 6.8 per game which inevitably led to the second most opposition point in the NRL, conceding 29.8 per game.

New head coach Jason Ryles is going to have his hands full tackling the Eels project in his first-time in charge of an NRL footy team. Defence will be the key to any resurgence for the Parramatta in 2025

Parramatta Eels Team News

Plenty going on at the Eels and it is not of the good kind. Star halfback Mitch Moses has been ruled out for 6 weeks with a foot injury which puts an even bigger damper on their chances this season.

Sean Russell and Jake Tago with Josh Addo-Carr suspended and Bailey Simonson injured to start the year. Zac Lomax will start his era at the Eels in the centres.

Joe Ofahengaue will start in the front row with the exit of Reagan Campbell-Gillard to the Goldy. Sean Lane will miss the first month of the season with injury as Kelma Tualagi and Jack Williams start in the second row.

Parramatta Eels Team List

1. Isaiah Iongi

2. Sean Russell

3. Will Penisini

4. Zac Lomax

5. Jake Tago

6. Dylan Brown

7. Ronald Volkman

8. Joe Ofahengaue

9. Brendan Hands

10. Junior Paulo

11. Jack Williams

12. Kelma Tuilagi

13. J'maine Hopgood

Interchange

14. Ryley Smith

15. Matt Doorey

16. Ryan Matterson

17. Charlie Guymer

Reserves

18. Joash Papalii

19. Jordan Samrani

20. Toni Mataele

21. Sam Tuivaiti

22. Joey Lussick

Verdict

Melbourne Storm v Parramatta Eels

Melbourne can cover the 18.5 points as the favourite by scoring over their team total of 30.5 points. Ryan Papenhuyzen to cross the line for his third consecutive try against the Eels.

Melbourne -18.5

Handicap/Line

@11/12 - 3 Units

£30 Free Bet

Use promo code NEWBONUS

Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Hollywood bets

Melbourne Over 30.5

Team Total

@9/10 - 2 Units

Bet £10 Get £30

with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

Bet at bet365

Ryan Papenhuyzen

Anytime Tryscorer

@20/21 - 2 Units

100% up to £/€50 bonus

Get up to £/€50 on your first deposit

New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&C apply; 18+

Bet at 10bet

Ryan Papenhuyzen

First Tryscorer

@9/1 - 1 Unit

Up to £50 in Free Bets

Cheltenham Festival Offer

New customers only. Only bets on the 16:40 at Cheltenham are eligible. Matched Free Bet up to £50 on first qualifying selection. Win & E/W Bets qualify. Free Bet credited 10am the following day & expires after 7 days. Full T&Cs apply.

Bet at Star Sports