The Melbourne Storm have a new opponent for their annual ANZAC Day match but coach Craig Bellamy is expecting the team to extend their impressive record in the emotional clash.
Melbourne will host the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Aami Park on Thursday night, with the Warriors playing at home for the second time on ANZAC Day.
The Storm have won 10 of 13 games since their ANZAC Day game began as an annual affair in 2009 and they're eager to ensure the dominance continues against the Rabbitohs.
The way the two teams have started the season has been poles apart, with Melbourne sitting second and South Sydney struggling down in 16th.
The Rabbitohs showed plenty of fight in a last-start loss to the Sharks before last week's bye allowed the club to reset. Coach Jason Demetriou has been spared the axe, with veteran David Furner brought on board as an assistant.
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Team News
Storm: A late change on game day sees Nelson Asofa-Solomona revert back to the bench with Christian Welch named to start at prop. The Storm are otherwise unchanged to the team that beat the Roosters last Thursday.
Rabbitohs: A late shuffle in the forwards sees Maroons forward Jai Arrow shift back to the bench in his return from a shoulder with Keaon Koloamatangi moving from second to front row and Michael Chee Kam join the starting side. Skipper Cameron Murray has completed the concussion protocols and takes his place at lock. Hooker Damien Cook has been recalled and will start at hooker. Jacob Gagai comes in on the wing for Tyrone Munro (collarbone).
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Stat Attack
- The Storm have won their past seven ANZAC Day games.
- The Rabbitohs have lost all 18 games played in Melbourne.
- The Storm are aiming for their 14th consecutive win at AAMI Park.
- Rabbitohs centre Jack Wighton has won five of his past six games in Melbourne.
- Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored 25 tries in 22 games at AAMI Park.
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.