Melbourne Storm
12
Match Complete
South Sydney Rabbitohs
28
| N. Meaney |  | 76 | ||
| B. Garlick |  | 75 | ||
| 68 | | L. Mitchell | ||
| 66 | | I. Tass | ||
| 53 | | L. Mitchell | ||
| 51 | | A. Johnston | ||
| 46 | | A. Johnston | ||
| N. Meaney | | 36 | ||
| R. Smith | | 35 | ||
| 20 | | L. Mitchell | ||
| 18 | | J. Host | ||
| 6 | | L. Mitchell | ||
| 5 | | C. Walker |
| 2 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Magic Round Super Saturday’s triple header ends with a blockbuster clash between the Melbourne Storm and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:45pm (AEST).
These two sides met earlier in the season, with the Storm leaving Sydney Olympic Park with a victory after grinding out a tough victory by eight points. There are no major changes for Craig Bellamy’s men, with Eli Katoa set to play after suffering a head knock on Anzac Day.
Following the loss to the Storm, the Rabbitohs have found a spark within their squad. Latrell Mitchell is getting himself more involved in games, while they are capable of exploiting defensive chinks across all areas. Their most impressive trait is their defence, conceding the second-least amount of points for the season so far.
Davvy Moale will miss this clash through injury, while Liam Knight is set to return to the NRL for his first appearance this year coming off the bench.
Prediction
Suncorp Stadium has been home away from home for the Storm, but this was the same ground where they faced heartbreak in the 2021 preliminary final, while a heavy loss to the Panthers in the 2022 Magic Round was the beginning of the Storm’s season derailment despite a few mini attempts to revive their season.
The Rabbitohs are on a four-match winning streak and look more threatening as a premiership contender as each week goes on.
Rabbitohs by 4.
Game information
Kick-off: 7:45pm (AEST)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
TV: Channel 9 Fox League
Stream: 9Now, Kayo Sports
Betting: Storm $1.95, Rabbitohs $1.85 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Storm
1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Aaron Pene 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Tariq Sims 18. Tyran Wishart 19. Grant Anderson 20. Tepai Moeroa 21. Jordan Grant 22. Jonah Pezet
Rabbitohs
1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Hame Sele 11. Michael Chee Kam 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jed Cartwright 15. Jai Arrow 16. Liam Knight 17. Thomas Burgess 18. Josiah Karapani 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 21. Ben Lovett 22. Dean Hawkins
Albo
Roar Rookie
Because we all know Sutton is not a Panthers fan !
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Given his history with injury as well as indifferent and poor performances I think Knight will be one of the fringe players moved on for Wighton in 2024.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yes fully agree GB, I was also surprised by Knight return, he had some very strong runs, but he did throw a wild pass that luckily came good, but my worry with Knight is that he has always done stupid things like dropped the ball, throws silly passes at crucial times at the wrong time, lets see how he pans out, as I’m a bit reserved on Knight being a useful weapon in todays comp. While Tom Burgess on the other hand, and since I criticized him in R4 for being such a big body and not taking the ball up on the burst hard, which and since then, he has started doing that, and has become a 100% better and a more effective weapon running onto the ball on the burst. The Bunnies are getting all these top notch wraps, that are favorites and they will win the GF “HOPE THEY DO” as that is what we all want but, the Bunnies can’t afford to get complacent and they have to continue to build and get stronger with their game that they are playing today and not let this be a phase that will fizzle out, which usually happens with most teams mid season and by R27 will be a bad memory! We are looking good so lets build on it and by the playoffs let us be the real favorites to win the 2023 GF like we should have done in 2021 if Trell was in the side. Go You Bunnies just LOVED their work in the last 5 weeks.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
The salary cap is going up from $9.6 mill in 2022 to $12.1 mill in 2024. Souths also have had a lot of room in their salary cap after replacing Reynolds, Gagai and Su'A with Ilias, Tass and Chee Kam. Additionally, Wighton will only be on $700K in 2024 with increases in pay linked to increases in the NRL salary cap over the following 2 years. All in all, Souths would still have room for another big signing in 2024 even after a couple of upgrades to Souths lesser names.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Liam Knight surprised me with a strong, if rusty, performance. I can't wait for Koloamatangi and Havili to be back in the regular side and for Shaq Mitchell to be pushing for a spot as well. While Souths first choice forward pack should be Burgess, Tatola, Arrow, Koloamatangi and Murray with Sele, Havili, Host and possibly Cartwright and Moale or Cartwright for utility value. Burgess has been brilliant as an impact player coming off the bench. Perhaps both Sele and Havili can play for the first 20 mins and allow Burgess and Tatola to make an impact coming off the bench in the 20 mins before half-time. Knight, Shaq Mitchell, Suluka-Fifita, Chee Kam and Cartwright are good back ups but not part of the regular starting 17 IMO.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Maybe. They still cost a lot , so other players will have to go to make room for them. Are you trying to say that no players there have it written into their contracts that a premiership win , means an upgrade? As that would seem fanciful . How wouldn’t players like Ilias , also get an upgrade based on a GF Win. If they win & no decent players are forced out? It brings up the question of how they are actually being paid , yet again. Just the same as when the Roosters Win.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Mate GB, its like water off a ducks back, all I care about is that our Bunnies are doing well and look great for the rest of the season, especially as we had Koloamatangi, Havali and Shaqual Mitchell out so we are looking good for the rest of the season, except we need to get over the SOO period. Great effort last night and in the first 10, as I thought that we would be worse off, 7 out of 10 aint that bad, its still not as good as 2021 which was 8 out of 10, but its looking good GB for our Bunnies and to GO ONE BETTER this year to what happened in 2021. Go You Bunnies :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Only a fool would write the Panthers off this early in the season after a narrow last minute loss to "the premiership favourites". Once Atkins and Klein start officiating crucial finals games things can turn very quickly. All I ask for is a consistent, fair and honest performance by the NRL referees and bunker. I just hope Getard Sutton referees any future clashes between the Rabbitohs and the Panthers and Roosters.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Souths were outstanding again, and are now the team to beat assuming no serious injuries. Too many great players firing. Cody was brilliant tonight and Latrelle too. Their pack with Murray. Cook & Arrow leading the way were strong .
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Congrats steveng on an awesome Bunnies boilover. No one else bothered to congratulate you. No reciprocity whatsoever. Disappointing.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Yeah. AJ overran the pass. He isn't seeing the ball enough these days so he is out of practice. TWO Tries for his 200th game was a good result though. :thumbup:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Smart clubs extend player contracts before that happens! Like Souths did this year when they extended the contracts of Latrell, Cody, Murray, Graham, Burgess, Koloamatangi and Arrow.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
BS!!!! Don't you watch Panthers games? The referee and bunker sabotaged any chance the Warriors had in the first game tonight and handed the game to the NRL Triumvirate Golden Child, Panthers. Are your eyes painted on Rene?
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
No worries. Gee is a very good Ref.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
If Latrell wants to play FB he can't keep finding himself at marker or as the A defender. He has to be in position to take those kicks.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
100%. It was a penalty but an unintentional one. The sort where the refs blow the penalty and say; "I know. It's unfortunate. But I have no option."
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
It is one of the aspects of Latrell's game, along with positioning himself on a short blindside on 4th or 5th tackle, that does my head in. That and his occasional brain explosions like against Harry Grant tonight.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Not tonight. :silly:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Yep. I got the Quinella up again this week. :thumbup:
steveng
Roar Rookie
That was a satisfying win for us but all this GF win for the Bunnies is a very looonngg way off, its only R10 for God’s sake! Good effort but it’s evens with the Storm as last time we were shockers. Good win and there is a long way to go, bad luck Stormy Arnab and all the Storm fans, did your boys go to Bali last week on the Bintang? :laughing: