NRL round 21 tips: Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler predict rare Storm slide with stars sidelined
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Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler believe the absences of Cameron Munster, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona will be too much for the Storm to overcome in their clash with the Roosters on Thursday night.
Not since rounds two and three of the 2023 season has Melbourne lost back-to-back games, but Craig Bellamy's men went down to the Manly Sea Eagles last week and are now set for a tough challenge at Sydney's Allianz Stadium.
Munster will miss the game because of his dad's funeral, while Asofa-Solomona is suspended for two games and Papenhuyzen is sidelined with a calf injury.
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Asofa-Solomona copped a two-match ban for elbowing Manly's Jake Simpkin flush in the face during Melbourne's 18-16 defeat at home.
Johns and Fittler are the only Nine experts backing the Roosters to beat the Storm.
"I like the Chooks, I really like the Roosters," Johns told Wide World of Sports' Freddy and the Eighth's Tips.
"No Munster, no big Nelson, no Papenhuyzen."
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Cameron Munster of the Storm. Getty
The Roosters will also be without key players, including enforcer Victor Radley (shoulder) and centre Billy Smith (concussion), but the Storm have been hit harder personnel-wise.
Nick Meaney will wear the No.1 jumper in place of Papenhuyzen for the fourth game in a row, while Tyran Wishart will partner Jahrome Hughes in the halves in the absence of Munster.
Although the Storm won't have the aggression and metre-eating power of Asofa-Solomona in the middle of the park, they will have Stefano Utoikamanu, Josh King, Tui Kamikamica and Ativalu Lisati.
"They lose a lot with Papenhuyzen — a lot of those small opportunities," Fittler said.
"He scores so many tries, great supporter."
The Roosters are coming off a 31-18 away defeat to the Sharks.
"I think at home, Thursday night, they'll want to bounce back," Fittler said.
"They were pretty poor. The coach [Trent Robinson] was very disappointed with what they did at Cronulla."
The Storm have won 11 of their past 12 games against the Roosters.
Melbourne flyer Xavier Coates will play his 100th NRL game on Thursday night. He played his first 32 matches with the Broncos.
Scroll below for the current leaderboard and round 21 tips by all Nine's expert tipsters!
Nine's NRL tipping leaderboard. Nine
Andrew Johns: Roosters, Dragons, Broncos, Warriors, Panthers, Sharks, Raiders, Sea Eagles
Brad Fittler: Roosters, Dragons, Broncos, Warriors, Panthers, Sharks, Raiders, Bulldogs
Darren Lockyer: Storm, Dragons, Broncos, Titans, Panthers, Sharks, Raiders, Sea Eagles
Paul Gallen: Storm, Cowboys, Broncos, Warriors, Panthers, Sharks, Raiders, Bulldogs
Danika Mason: Storm, Cowboys, Broncos, Warriors, Panthers, Sharks, Raiders, Bulldogs
Mat Thompson: Storm, Dragons, Broncos, Warriors, Panthers, Sharks, Raiders, Bulldogs
David Middleton: Storm, Cowboys, Broncos, Warriors, Panthers, Sharks, Raiders, Bulldogs
Peter Psaltis: Storm, Cowboys, Broncos, Warriors, Panthers, Sharks, Raiders, Bulldogs
The Mole: Storm, Cowboys, Broncos, Warriors, Panthers, Sharks, Raiders, Bulldogs
Ben Glover: Storm, Cowboys, Broncos, Warriors, Panthers, Sharks, Raiders, Sea Eagles
