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Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders NRL Round 9 Tips - Lots of points on offer to finish Magic Round

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Last updated: 02 May 2025
Ryan Tucker 02 May 2025
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  • Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders expert predictions for Sunday’s Round 9 NRL game
  • Kick off is at 6:25 PM (AEDT) at Suncorp Stadium
  • Melbourne Storm predicted to win & cover the 5.5 line.
  • Both teams known for high-scoring games; expect over 47.5 points.
  • Key players include Ryan Papenhuyzen & Jamal Fogarty.
Top picks for Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders

Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders, Round 9 2025 - Expert Prediction


Melbourne will win and cover the short line against Canberra in a high scoring affair to finish Magic Round in Brisbane.
  • Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders, Round 9 2025 - Expert Prediction
  • Head to Head 
  • Melbourne Storm Form Analysis & Betting Trends
  • Recent Form
  • 2025 Betting Trends
  • Melbourne Storm Team News
  • Melbourne Storm Team List
  • Canberra Raiders Form Analysis & Betting Trends
  • Recent Form
  • 2025 Betting Trends
  • Canberra Raiders Team News
  • Canberra Raiders Team List
  • Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders NRL 2025 Round 9 FAQ’s

Both teams have been scoring powerhouses throughout the start to their seasons, Melbourne have had 4 games scoring 30 points or more while Canberra have had 5 including their last 3 straight where they have averaged 40 pts.

Interestingly for Melbourne they have scored without being dominant in Run Metres (6th), Possession (7th) or Territory (7th). They are one of the best teams at scoring long range tries which is reflected in them leading the league in Linebreaks. 
The Raiders are ranked even worse on the season but in their last 3 games where they have scored well, they have done it off the back of strong starts to their sets, offloads and second phase play from the forwards as well as pinpoint kicking from Jamal Fogarty.

My expectation here is that the Storm will have difficulty stopping the go forward of the Raiders who will see their fair share of opportunities to score. Melbourne are though one of the most consistent teams of the decade and also one of the best coached. They will have a solid game plan on how to attack the weaknesses of the Raiders which is their right edge defence. 

Take Melbourne to cover the 5.5 line as favourites, the Game Total to go Over and there is no reason to not go back to the well on Papenhuyzen who rewarded us so well last weekend!

  • Melbourne lead the league in Linebreaks with 6.1 per game.
  • 6 of the last 7 games for both teams have gone over 47.5 points.
  • The Storm have scored the first try of the game in 3 straight matchups.
  • Ryan Papenhuyzen has scored in 6 of 7 games for Melbourne this year, two as the first tryscorer. 


Head to Head 


Melbourne and Canberra have met in 10 games during the regular season since the beginning of 2019. The Storm hold a 7-3 record and have won 6 of the last 7 matchups.

7 of 10 games have gone Under the Game Total including last year’s lone matchup which finished 16-6 in favour of Melbourne.

6 of 10 games have finished with a 1-12 win margin while Canberra have a 6-4 ATS record as the Underdog during this span.

Melbourne Storm Form Analysis & Betting Trends


Recent Form


Last 5 W/LLast 5 ATSLast 5 O/U
3-22-33-2

Melbourne fought out a scrappy win over the Bunnies last weekend 24-16 keeping them at 2nd spot on the premiership ladder.

Ryan Papenhuyzen was everywhere, scoring the first try, kicking 3 conversions and a penalty goal as well as being sent to the sin bin. He finished the game with 135 Run Metres as well as a forced drop out. 

Melbourne rank 1st in Linebreaks this season, averaging 6.1 per game but rank much further down in Run Metres and Tackles Inside 20m strengthening the fact they score a lot of tries from long range. Defensively they hold their opponents to the fewest Run Metres of any team in the NRL.

2025 Betting Trends


ATSOver/Under1-1213+
3-45-22-13-1

Melbourne Storm Team News


Sua Fa’alogo failed his HIA last weekend but was later cleared of concussion and will take his place on the wing this weekend. Tui Kamikamica is back via the bench with Lazarus Vaalepu dropping to the reserves. 

Melbourne Storm Team List


1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 
2. Sua Fa'alogo 
3. Grant Anderson
4. Nick Meaney 
5. Xavier Coates
6. Cameron Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes 
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Bronson Garlick 
10. Josh King
11. Shawn Blore
12. Eli Katoa
13. Trent Loiero

Interchange
14. Tyran Wishart 
15. Alec MacDonald
16. Tui Kamikamica
17. Joe Chan 

Reserves
18. Ativalu Lisati
19. Lazarus Vaalepu
20. Kane Bradley 
21. Keagan Russell-Smith
​​​​​​​22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona


Canberra Raiders Form Analysis & Betting Trends


Recent Form


Last 5 W/LLast 5 ATSLast 5 O/U
4-14-13-2

Canberra scored 30 second half points including 4 tries and a penalty goal in the last 19 minutes of the game against the Dolphins last weekend to win 40-32. 

The Raiders went into the halftime break down 32-10 despite having completed 14 of 16 sets and owning 51% of the Territory. Jamal Fogarty and crew tightened the screws in the second half dominating possession (61%) and territory (70%) while once again completing their sets at an elite rate (22/24).

Canberra forced 31 missed tackles from their opponent in the 2nd half domination and was one of their biggest come from behind victories in recent memory. Fogarty finished the game with a try, 408 kick metres, 1 Linebreak, 1 Linebreak Assist and 2 Try Assists.

2025 Betting Trends


ATSOver/Under1-1213+
6-25-34-12-1

Canberra Raiders Team News


Another week and another unchanged Raiders team looking for their 7th win of the year.

Canberra Raiders Team List


1. Kaeo Weekes 
2. Savelio Tamale 
3. Matthew Timoko
4. Seb Kris
5. Xavier Savage
6. Ethan Strange
7. Jamal Fogarty 
8. Corey Horsburgh 
9. Tom Starling
10. Joe Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Matty Nicholson 
13. Morgan Smithies 

Interchange
14. Owen Pattie
15. Zac Hosking 
16. Josh Papali'i 
17. Ata Mariota

Reserves
18. Simi Sasagi
19. Manaia Waitere
20. Pasami Saulo
21. Trey Mooney 
​​​​​​​22. Danny Levi


Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders NRL 2025 Round 9 FAQ’s

How to watch Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders NRL 2025 Round 9?

You can watch the Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders NRL 2025 Round 9 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchNRL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders NRL 2025 Round 9?

To buy tickets to the Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders NRL 2025 Round 9 game check the NRL website or the official Melbourne Storm site.

Verdict

Take Melbourne to cover the 5.5 line as favourites, the Game Total to go Over and there is no reason to not go back to the well on Papenhuyzen who rewarded us so well last weekend!
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Betting Slip | 04 May 2025

Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders