Saturday, ANZ Stadium, 7.30pm
Referee: Phil Haines

There was a time - going back to 1999, when they met in the grand final, and for a few years after that - when games between the Dragons and the Storm created a real buzz. That is not the case these days, since the Dragons have fallen way down the competition table while the Storm remain genuine premiership contenders. But the meeting of these two teams, which would normally see the Storm posted as clear favourites, even on the road, becomes a contest because of the fact the Storm have been decimated by the loss of most of their team to Origin commitments. The Dragons have lost centres Mark Gasnier and Matt Cooper, plus Ben Hornby, to Origin, and they are obviously significant losses as well, but otherwise they are intact.

That is not to say the Storm can't still win. They are, after all, playing a team that is known for being unreliable, and it would not be at all surprising if, just when the Dragons are expected to win, this turns out to be one of those times when they lose. But it is a great opportunity for the Dragons to get a win they desperately need if they are to seriously entertain thoughts of getting to the finals this season.

Late mail

Melbourne prop Jeff Lima will travel to Sydney with the Storm today and is a chance of making his return from a quadriceps injury tomorrow night against the Dragons, who are expected to be as named.

DRAGONS: Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale, Josh Morris, Chase Stanley, Michael Lett, Jamie Soward, Rangi Chase, Justin Poore, Dean Young, Jason Ryles, Beau Scott, Lagi Setu, Ben Creagh. Interchange: Kirk Reynoldson, Dan Hunt, Simon Woolford, Stuart Webb, Jon Green, Matt Prior, Frank Samia. (three to be omitted)

STORM: Steve Turner, Brett Anderson, Will Chambers, Sam Tagataese, Dane Nielsen, Russ Aitken, Cooper Cronk, Clifford Manua, Matt Geyer, Antonio Kaufusi, Jeremy Smith, Sika Manu, Aiden Tolman. Interchange: Liam Foran, Kevin Proctor, Scott Anderson, Sinbad Kali, Lucas Miller. (one to be omitted)