NRL 2025 LIVE updates: Papenhuyzen and Munster return as Eels host Storm

The Storm are out first to some boos - Eels fans won’t ever forget 2009. Then come the Eels, who are afforded a better reception. If Parra can stay in this one for the first 60 minutes, we could be in for some late drama.

We aren’t far away from action. Surely Jason Ryles’ last words to his players will have something to do with Harry Grant. The Storm No.9 turned in a super performance last week in the win over the Roosters. Munster and Papenhuyzen are both back tonight, but the Maroons No.9 remains the man to watch.

Harry Grant celebrates scoring a try with Tyran Wishart.Credit: Getty Images

Where would we be without NRL agents. They start disputes, stop them and then start them again, all in the name of getting the best deals for their clients. In all honesty, most of them do nothing more or less than what they are paid to do, but sometime things get out of hand. Speaking of out of hand, a couple of them are in hot water over a physical altercation outside a Port Macquarie pub.

Chris Orr with recently announced Australian coach Kevin Walters.Credit: Instagram

This is a strange one. Both teams have made one change to their starting sides and in both cases it is No.15 coming in for No.13. For the Eels it is Luca Moretti starting and Dylan Walker going back to the bench, while for Melbourne, Ativalu Lisati starts and Tui Kamikamica to be an interchange player.

Eels utility player Dylan Walker.Credit: Getty Images

Remember back to half-time of round one at AAMI Park in the match between the Storm and Eels? Parra fans, look away now. The score was 46-6 in favour of the hosts, and the alarm bells were ringing. Everyone knew a new-look Eels side was going to find the going tough early, but nobody saw that coming. What has followed for Jason Ryles and the Eels is a lot of improvement. Yes, they are still nowhere near the finals, but they have made big steps forward since their early season woes. Enough, in fact, to see a path of them mirroring what the Bulldogs have done over the past few years. Here’s a yarn on that exact topic from Adrian Proszenko early last month. 

Eels coach Jason Ryles.Credit: Getty Images

All signs are pointing towards this summer’s Ashes series in Australia being something special. England’s newfound aggressiveness has already attracted the attention of an Australian team that’s sure to respond on and off the field. It’s already made as far as Todd Greenberg, the CEO of Cricket Australia. Greenberg was quick to issue a “bring it on” challenge on Thursday.

Australian cricketers Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Alyssa Healy, Ashleigh Gardner, Sam Konstas with new Westpac logo shirts.

Lewis Dodd has played five NRL matches. But what a whirlwind of interest he has generated. It started for the Englishman from the moment he was signed last year. Doubts over his future started once Jason Demetriou was dumped as coach and Wayne Bennett was signed. They haven’t stopped since. The latest news is included in this Christian Nicolussi report from earlier today.

South Sydney halfback Lewis Dodd.Credit: Steven Siewert