The Melbourne Storm returns to its AAMI Park fortress but they won’t have it all their own way against a talented South Sydney Rabbitohs team tonight. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.00pm AEDT.
The Storm has begun season 2012 in typical fashion, registering a tight but convincing 24-19 victory against the Canberra Raiders away from home.
With the Raiders playing at a high level, Melbourne’s famed trio of Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith once again managed to secure the competition points last week, despite trailing by a field goal late in the contest.
The Rabbitohs on the other hand will rue how a certain victory against the Sydney Roosters managed to slip from their grasp.
Leading 20-12 with less than three minutes remaining, the Rabbitohs lowered their intensity and allowed their rivals to secure a 24-20 victory right on fulltime.
Although such a loss is difficult to get over, South Sydney will need to be switched on immediately against a Storm side that takes no prisoners down in Melbourne.
Prediction
Whichever team wins the forward battle tonight will go a long way to securing victory.
The Storm makes do with a workman-like pack that features solid yardage gainers Bryan Norrie, Sika Manu and Ryan Hoffman.
South Sydney on the other hand possess more explosive and dynamic forwards, with Dave Taylor and Sam Burgess in particular renowned for their ability to push their way through the advantage line.
If the Storm manage to dominate upfront, then its no secret that Smith, Slater and Cronk will take control of the contest and tear the Rabbitohs to shreds around the ruck.
It only took a few minutes for Melbourne’s trio to demonstrate how easily they can crack opposition defences last week, as Slater scored early after terrific link-up play between Cronk and Smith.
The Rabbitohs however certainly have the personnel upfront to dominate their Melbourne counterparts, and if they do, John Sutton and Greg Inglis are just as likely to give the Storm huge problems in defence.
Overall, this promises to be a tight contest and could end up being one of the matches of the round.
If the Rabbitohs forwards can maintain their intensity for the full eighty minutes, then they are a good chance of upsetting Melbourne tonight.
The Storm however remain almost impossible to tip against at AAMI Park, and their recent form suggests that they will once a gain find a way to emerge victorious.
Storm by 8.
Will the Storm continue their dominance over the Bunnies, or can Michael Maguire’s men pick themselves up after last week’s late capitulation? It’s Sunday night NRL from 7.00pm AEDT, and we’ll cover it from start to finish with live scores and a blog. Let us know your thoughts in the space below.
Alan
Roar Guru
In an entertaining contest, the Storm have prevailed yet again at home, defeating South Sydney 24-10. Despite racing to a 10 nil lead, the Storm lowered their intensity midway through the first half and the Rabbitohs were good enough to take control and come back with two tries of their own. Melbourne however regained their aura of dominance in the second half with three tries and they, along with Manly continue to set the benchmark thus far in the premiership. Rabbitohs looked good and if they can continue to maintain the intensity they showed late in the first half, they should be good enough to play finals football. Melbourne however appear destined to feature in September yet again. FULLTIME: Storm 24 Rabbitohs 10
Matt S
Guest
Thanx Alan. Storm too strong again. But proud of my bunnies for rattling the storm.
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL - Smith Misses and its 24-10 fulltime. FULLTIME: Storm 24 Rabbitohs 10
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY STORM - Slater secures a Melbourne win with a fantastic team try. Nielson with a nice grubber and Slater regathers and scores. Widdop and Smith were earlier the catalyst's for their side in attack. Storm 24 Rabbitohs 10
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Crocker has lost the football and Melbourne will hold on and win a tough contest here. Storm 20 Rabbitohs 10
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Inglis makes a break but O'Neill tackles him into touch. Inglis however wins the penalty and the Rabbitohs with their last opportunity to score and make a game of this. Storm 20 Rabbitohs 10
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Cronk breaks and finds Manu. Manu however throws a forward pass and the Rabbitohs will get the scrum feed. The task is looking too difficult for South Sydney now though as time is running out. Storm 20 Rabbitohs 10
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Pettybourne has lost possession for the Rabbitohs and they now only have five minutes remaining to conjure something here. Melbourne look set to win this yet again. Storm 20 Rabbitohs 10
Alan
Roar Guru
74' - Reynolds with a strong run and the Rabbitohs on the attack. Talanoa's grubber however finds Slater and Melbourne regain possession. Storm 20 Rabbitohs 10
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Melbourne work it out from their own territory now as they slowly close the game out here. Storm 20 Rabbitohs 10
Alan
Roar Guru
71' - Intelligent play from Cronk as he puts in a kick that pins the Rabbitohs deep in a corner. Storm 20 Rabbitohs 10
Matt S
Guest
Come on rabbitohs. Gotta give your supporters faith
Alan
Roar Guru
70' - Good chip and regather from King he is well tackled by Quinn who forces a forward pass from King. Melbourne with possession. Storm 20 Rabbitohs 10
Alan
Roar Guru
70' - Talanoa takes a strong catch and the Rabbitohs with possession now. South Sydney however might have to flex their attacking muscle soon. Storm 20 Rabbitohs 10
Alan
Roar Guru
68' - Burgess knocks the football on and Melbourne survive in defence. Big moment for both teams there with just over ten minutes to go. Storm 20 Rabbitohs 10
Alan
Roar Guru
67' - Penalty to the Rabbitohs now and South Sydney with a great chance to hit back... Storm 20 Rabbitohs 10
Alan
Roar Guru
66' - Rabbitohs now have possession as Melbourne now muscle up in defence. Rabbitohs have to produce a similiar fightback to the one they produced in the first half. Storm 20 Rabbitohs 10
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL - Smith misses but Melbourne's dominance is restored with a nice 10 point buffer. Storm 20 Rabbitohs 10
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY STORM - Clinical and vintage Storm play as Nielson scores. Typical second phase play that is just so difficult to stop. Cronk and Smith combine well yet again. Storm 20 Rabbitohs 10
Alan
Roar Guru
62' - McQueen loses possession and now the Storm get a penalty. Another big chance for Melbourne to regain control here. Storm 16 Rabbitohs 10