The first match-up between Michael Maguire and his former mentor Craig Bellamy saw the apprentice taught a valuable lesson as Melbourne powered to a 24-10 win in Round 2 this year.
The Rabbitohs started with plenty of fire in the belly but it was Melbourne that crossed first after 11 minutes with quick hands to the left seeing Dane Nielsen over.
Minutes later they were in again – Billy Slater’s quick stepping throwing the defence off balance with Matt Duffie capitalising to score in the right corner.
At that stage it was looking ominous for the visitors but they finally opened their account on 26 minutes with Chris McQueen finishing off a nice backline move to make it 10-4.
And by half-time scores were locked at 10 apiece as Issac Luke turned an inside ball from close range for Sam Burgess to crash over.
However, the second half was all Melbourne. Slater handed the lead back to the Storm when he swooped on a Cooper Cronk bounced pass to score out wide, Nielsen scored his second after finishing off a brilliant set play, and Slater made it four tries in two games right at the death as Nielsen kicked through for him to pounce.
Slater was the star for Melbourne with 112 metres, two tries, two try assists and six tackle-breaks while Cameron Smith contributed 54 tackles. Issac Luke made 142 metres and 24 tackles for Souths.
