NRL Opta facts: Unbeaten Storm host defending champions Roosters
April 17, 2019 15:31 MYT
Round six of the 2019 NRL season sees league leaders Melbourne Storm host defending champions Sydney Roosters in a mouth-watering top-of-the-table clash.
The Storm are the only unbeaten side remaining after five matches and history suggests they could well extend that run on Friday given they have won their last three against the Roosters.
It has been a tough start for the Canterbury Bulldogs and they face another difficult clash as they host South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium.
Meanwhile, the Parramatta Eels will host the first NRL game at their new stadium, Wests Tigers the visitors to Bankwest Stadium on Monday.
We take a look at the next round of fixtures with the help of Opta data.
THURSDAY
Cronulla Sharks (2-3) v Penrith Panthers (2-3)
- The Sharks have won their last six games on the bounce against the Panthers; only once in premiership history has either side won more successive iterations of this fixture (Penrith won the first seven from 1967 to 1969).
FRIDAY
Canterbury Bulldogs (1-4) v South Sydney Rabbitohs (4-1)
- Reimis Smith has crossed for a try in each of his last four NRL games; the last time any Bulldogs player scored in more consecutive fixtures was Will Hopoate, who did so in his first five games in 2016.
How GOOD is FRIDAY footy! #NRLBulldogsSouths pic.twitter.com/XudwRpmdva
— NRL (@NRL) April 17, 2019
Melbourne Storm (5-0) v Sydney Roosters (4-1)
- The Roosters have led at half-time in each of their last eight games, keeping their opposition scoreless in the first half of four of their last six games in the competition.
SATURDAY
New Zealand Warriors (3-2) v North Queensland Cowboys (1-4)
- Each of the Warriors' last 10 games has been won by the home team on the day; the Warriors have won their last five games on the bounce as hosts.
St George Illawarra Dragons (3-2) v Manly Sea Eagles (3-2)
- Cameron McInnes has made the second-most tackles (240) of any player this season, missing just six further attempts for a tackle success rate of 98 per cent.
passes, pairs of hands, offloads, flick-pass, and pirouette equals your play of the week! #redv pic.twitter.com/1YrFArTCQ4
— The Dragons (@NRL_Dragons) April 17, 2019
SUNDAY
Gold Coast Titans (1-4) v Newcastle Knights (1-4)
- David Klemmer (Newcastle Knights) has made 20 carries per game in 2019, one of only two players (Jayden Okunbor - 20.3) to have made an average of 20+ per game.
Canberra Raiders (4-1) v Brisbane Broncos (1-4)
- Brisbane have won their last six games on the bounce against the Raiders, including their last two after having trailed at half-time.
MONDAY
Parramatta Eels (3-2) v Wests Tigers (3-2)
- Clinton Gutherson (Parramatta Eels) has gained 865 metres over the advantage line this campaign, more than any other player in the competition and 225m more than the Tigers' best Mahe Fonua (640m).
Massive thank you to all the fans who came out for Wednesday Night Lights! See you all again on Easter Monday #BankwestStadium #ForTheFans pic.twitter.com/XfPkUZOJ1P
— Bankwest Stadium (@BankwestStadium) April 17, 2019