- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The South Sydney Rabbitohs and Melbourne Storm will clash in a top of the table fixture that could help to determine who lifts the JJ Giltinan Shield in 2018. Join The Roar from 7:55pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage of the match.
The Rabbitohs have been one of the most consistent teams throughout the 2018 season as they continue to build toward their first NRL premiership since their historic 2014 victory over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Anthony Seibold’s team have hit some minor road bumps over the last few weeks after peaking at the top of the table in Round 18, losing to the Wests Tigers before struggling in a comeback win against the last-placed Parramatta Eels.
Seibold will be requiring his side to put together an impressive turnaround as they receive their first test against a fellow top eight team since defeating the Sharks during the State of Origin period.
Opposition teams have learnt to shut down Souths’ left-hand attacking structure in recent weeks, limiting the powers of the likes of John Sutton, Cody Walker and Robert Jennings to deal damage to the opposition.
Adam Reynolds must take on greater responsibility in steering his team around the park, particularly through the middle, and using his attacking creativity to help the Rabbitohs excel as the National Rugby League finals draw nearer.
South Sydney are unchanged from their last start win over the Parramatta Eels while Craig Bellamy has made a number of changes to his side with Ryan Hoffman and Dale Finucane starting, shifting Joe Stimson and Kenneath Bromwich to the bench.
Despite winning last year’s premiership, the Melbourne Storm have climbed to the top quietly in 2018 to leapfrog the Dragons and Rabbitohs into first place after 20 rounds.
Melbourne’s best 17 are available and they are sending a frightening message to the remainder of the competition, their sights firmly set on becoming the first team since the 1992-93 Brisbane Broncos to win back-to-back premierships.
They now have eight wins in a row including victories over fellow top eight teams the Broncos 32-16, Roosters 9-8, Dragons 52-30 and Warriors 12-6.
The Rabbitohs and Storm have featured in 28 matches throughout their history, of which Melbourne have dominated with a stunning 24 victories, the best head-to-head record of any two teams in the National Rugby League.
Their last meeting was no different when the Storm delivered their biggest win since 2013, defeating the Rabbitohs 64-6 in Round 25 last year. Melbourne boast an equally impressive record at Stadium Australia with 13 wins from 18 games at the venue. It will be their first game there since last year’s NRL Grand Final.
Prediction
The Storm will hold onto first position in an extremely close match.
Storm by 2.
Join The Roar from 7:55pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.