The Storm had their work cut out for them against Wests Tigers in round one while the Rabbitohs were stung by an improved Broncos outfit.
Melbourne's stunning round one record looked in danger as they coped with the absences of Cam Munster and Harry Grant plus injuries to Brandon Smith, George Jennings and Christian Welch, but their class eventually shone through.
The Rabbitohs were lucklustre in their opening loss of the season but it's hardly panic stations given the absence of Latrell Mitchell and game-eve injury to his stand-in Blake Taaffe.
Expect each side to be better this week as the Storm hunt a 2-0 start to the year and the Bunnies look to open their 2022 account.
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The Rundown
Team news
Storm: The Storm are 1-17 with no late changes.
Brandon Smith (broken hand) is out for five weeks while Christian Welch (Achilles) and George Jennings (knee) are set to miss the remainder of the season. Cameron Munster and Harry Grant come into the side after serving suspensions. Dean Ieremia replaces Jennings on the wing while Jesse Bromwich is back at prop following his COVID-19 quarantine last week.
The bench remains the same following the side’s win over Wests Tigers.
Chris Lewis is 18th man and Nick Meaney was the last man cut an hour before kick-off.
Rabbitohs: A late switch an hour before kick-off with Siliva Havili promoted to the starting side and Cameron Murray going to the bench. Davvy Moale has come into the side on the bench and Michael Chee Kam drops to 18th man.
Latrell Mitchell returns from suspension, moving Alex Johnston back to the wing and Josh Mansour drops out.
Blake Taaffe (ankle) remains sidelined with Alex Johnston shifting back to his preferred wing spot and Josh Mansour dropping out.
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Key match-up
Cameron Munster v Cody Walker: Munster looked fit, fresh and dangerous in the trials and should be doubly so here after serving a one-game ban in round one. Walker looked frustrated at times with none of his accustomed left-edge threats alongside him but should benefit greatly from the return of Mitchell.
Stat attack
Both of these sides were on the wrong end of possession in round one, with the Bunnies holding 48% of the ball against Brisbane and the Storm just 45% against the Tigers - but it was the Storm who were far better able to counter this disadvantage by making what ball they had count.