Friday night brings a rematch of the 2025 NRL Grand Final, with the Melbourne Storm hosting the Brisbane Broncos in a high-stakes Round 3 clash.<\/p>\n
Melbourne vs Brisbane has been one of the most one-sided head-to-heads in the competition over the past two decades, despite both sides regularly sitting near the top of the table.<\/p>\n
The Storm have won 35 of the last 42 games between the clubs, including the last nine in a row at AAMI Park. But there\u2019s no chance they\u2019ll be complacent here, with the hosts entering this match off the back of a Grand Final loss to Brisbane last season.<\/p>\n
Form couldn\u2019t be more contrasting coming into Round 3, with Melbourne racking up 98 points across their opening two wins, while the Broncos have been woeful in back-to-back losses.<\/p>\n
All signs point towards a strong Melbourne win here. And it\u2019s not just the head-to-head, form or motivation for revenge.<\/p>\n
Brisbane are missing one of their key generals in Adam Reynolds, who is sidelined with a rib injury.<\/p>\n
Without Reynolds, their defensive structure and attacking organisation both take a hit. The Broncos need everything to go right to topple Melbourne, and without one of their main playmakers, it\u2019s hard to see that happening.<\/p>\n
Of the four matches these sides have been involved in this season, three have gone over the 55.5-point mark.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s enough attacking power in Melbourne\u2019s backline to expect plenty of points, as shown by their 98 points so far in 2026.<\/p>\n
Brisbane conceding 66 points across two games doesn\u2019t inspire much confidence that they can contain the Storm.<\/p>\n
While Melbourne were comfortable winners over the Dragons last week, 28 of their points came in a second-half surge. They also put up 34 after the break in Round 1 against the Eels.<\/p>\n
Whether it\u2019s early rust or superior fitness, this 2026 Storm side is doing its best work in the second half.<\/p>\n