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Billy Slater

Storm

Storm
 
Storm

Greg Inglis

Rabbitohs

Billy Slater was simply unstoppable early in the season, scoring nine tries in his first five games including doubles against the Raiders, Rabbitohs, Titans and Roosters. Having scored two tries in each of his first four games, he then fell one try short of becoming the first player in 100 years to make it doubles in his first five. He also broke the record for most tries scored in premiership history by a fullback when he scored his 130th against the Gold Coast in Round 3.
Billy Slater
 
Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis has always represented a threat on the left side of the field, with pace, bulk, a jolting left-foot sidestep and a wonderful reaching fend making him one of the toughest players to haul in when he gets into space. But whereas he was a clear danger in the front line when playing in the centres, now he’s at fullback his threat is a sometimes hidden one.
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GalleryPlayer StatsVideo
 
Billy Slater Storm
 
Rabbitohs Greg Inglis
 
Never write off the Storm. That's the message Melbourne sent to their rivals with two remarkable wins in Rounds 24 and 25. The first saw them come back from an early 12-0 deficit to snatch a thrilling 19-18 win over Brisbane thanks to a late Cooper Cronk field goal; the second saw them score two tries in the final two minutes to overcome an 18-10 deficit and steal a 20-18 win against Cronulla.
Melbourne's big three slice up the Penrith Panthers.
Melbourne's big three has perfected a set play that has become their trademark over the past two seasons. It's all pretty simple really. If the Storm manages a quick play-the-ball on the right edge, Cameron Smith will fire a pass from dummy-half to Cooper Cronk down the short side and he will pass inside to a flying Billy Slater to slice through.
After their infamous 2011 clash at Brookvale Oval that saw Adam Blair suspended for five weeks and Glenn Stewart three weeks, Manly and Melbourne squared off at the same venue again in Round 15 with the Storm prevailing this time 26-22.
Billy Slater was simply unstoppable early in the season, scoring nine tries in his first five games including doubles against the Raiders, Rabbitohs, Titans and Roosters. Having scored two tries in each of his first four games, he then fell one try short of becoming the first player in 100 years to make it doubles in his first five.
The Storm's big three slice up the centre of the Titan.
Melbourne's 2012 campaign very nearly got off to a rocky start with one of the pre-season competition favourites trailing Canberra 19-18 with just five minutes on the clock. But with five minutes remaining, Cooper Cronk placed a deft chip towards the posts and Billy Slater leapt highest to score a thrilling match-winner as the Storm snuck home 24-19.
The Storm fullback rises above to steal victory from the Raiders
Two of Melbourne's biggest wins this season came against Penrith, who they thrashed 44-10 in Round 9 and 46-6 in Round 22 for a combined score of 90-16. And they were significant for a number of reasons.
Chris Sandow gets swatted away by the Rabbitohs fullback.
Souths have had more success breaking through opposition defences than any other side, with an NRL-high 124 to date. Their threat is spread across the park with their most dangerous weapons including Inglis (19), Taylor (14), Dylan Farrell (12), Merritt (11), Everingham (10), and Sam Burgess, John Sutton, Chris McQueen and Reynolds (eight each).
A six-game winning streak from Round 17 sees them thrust high up the top eight. In Round 19 they get even with Roosters, scoring two tries in final two minutes to avenge similar-scenario loss in Round 1. Adam Reynolds scores the match-winner backing up Issac Luke.
Inglis saves a try with this crunching tackle on Hoffman.
The Rabbitohs fullback shows his skillful step.
Nathan Merritt may have initially felt down in the dumps about being overlooked for the No.1 jersey " but his disappointment would have been short-lived given the incredible attacking thrust Inglis has provided from fullback.
All the questions about Souths in 2012 concerned how they'd go without Chris Sandow but Adam Reynolds answered them all with a seamless transition into the No.7 jersey. Just like Daly Cherry-Evans, played every minute of his debut season.
When the Rabbitohs have worked their way into the opposition 10-metre zone in 2012, points have usually followed. Souths have the third best success rate from close range, scoring 47 tries. In particular they are the kings of the 'burrow', scoring an NRL-high 12 tries from dummy-half.
Inglis doesn't let the half-time hooter stop this big hit.
 

The inside ball

Saturday 4th August

The surgeon

Sunday 5th August

The inside ball
The surgeon

It’s the play that has bamboozled many an opponent. Usually called from a quick play-the-ball on the right edge of the field, hooker Cameron Smith will fire a ball wide to Cooper Cronk on the right who quickly shoots an inside pass – often while looking the other way – to a flying Billy Slater to steam into the gap. It’s a move that all sides are aware of, but stopping it is another thing.

Michael Maguire moved Inglis from centre to custodian after their Round 2 loss to the Storm; the very next week ‘GI’ tore Penrith apart, scoring a try, making two line-breaks and running for 193 metres. He’s made life miserable for all sides since, especially chiming in on the left-hand side of the field, employing his don’t-argue fend and devastating left-foot sidestep. His support play trailing through the centre of the ruck, a la Billy Slater, has been a feature too. Inglis has crossed for 11 tries with

 
 
StormBilly Slater
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RabbitohsGreg Inglis
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