Storm v Rabbitohs: Bellamy sticks solid; Aitken in the frame
Few could have predicted that when the Rabbitohs travelled to AAMI Park on Anzac Day that they would be 11 spots higher on the ladder than a Storm side that has slumped to five consecutive losses.
Wayne Bennett's side is coming off a comprehensive win over the Dragons that took their record to 4-2 and lifted them to fourth on the ladder.
The Storm, meanwhile, are languishing in 15th spot after a 26-22 loss to the Raiders marked the first time since 2012 that they had lost five straight.
On an emotion-charged night at AAMI Park the home side are sure to lift for the occasion but they confront a Rabbitohs side full of confidence and riding the back of Latrell Mitchell's brilliance and the brute force of Keaon Koloamatangi and Tallis Duncan.
Not to mention dynamic fullback Matt Dufty, who peeled off 333 run metres and scored in a stunning return to the NRL after three years in Super League with Warrington.
Match: Storm v Rabbitohs
Round 8 -
home Team
Storm
16th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
4th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Team News
Storm: Nick Meaney has been named at centre, with Manaia Watere on the wing but the pair could switch on game day, as they did last week. Despite losing five-straight games, Craig Bellamy has a settled squad as they look to continue an unbeaten record against the Rabbitohs in Melbourne. Jack Hetherington and Moses Leo dropped out of the squad on Friday night, with Josiah Pahulu added to the six-man bench in jumper No.21.
Rabbitohs: Euan Aitken is pushing to make his first appearance since suffering a leg injury in Round 2 and remains on the six-man bench. Brandon Smith is also set for a new role after being named in the back row. Bronson Garlick starts at hooker as a result. The Rabbitohs are 0-20 against the Storm in Melbourne. No changes in Friday's 24-hour update, Latrell Siegwalt and Tom Fletcher dropping out of the squad.
Match: Storm v Rabbitohs
Round 8 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Rabbitohs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi FaalogoFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Matthew Dufty
-
Winger for Storm is number 2 Will WarbrickWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
-
Centre for Storm is number 3 Jack HowarthCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Latrell Mitchell
-
Centre for Storm is number 5 Manaia WaitereCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Jack Wighton
-
Winger for Storm is number 4 Nick MeaneyWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell Graham
-
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
-
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jamie Humphreys
Forwards
-
Prop for Storm is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
-
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Bronson Garlick
-
Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Sean Keppie
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Joe Chan2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Brandon Smith
-
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Cooper Clarke2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Tallis Duncan
-
Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent LoieroLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
Interchange
-
Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran WishartInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Lachlan Hubner
-
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Jayden Sullivan
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Shawn BloreInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Keaon Koloamatangi
-
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Davvy MoaleInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Euan Aitken
Reserves
-
Reserve for Storm is number 19 Hugo PeelReserve for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter Mamouzelos
-
Reserve for Storm is number 21 Josiah PahuluReserve for Rabbitohs is number 22 Edward Kosi
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm have an 84 per cent winning record against the Rabbitohs.
- The Rabbitohs have lost all 20 games played in Melbourne.
- Storm fullback Sua Faalogo has scored 12 tries in his last 10 NRL games.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston will play his 250th NRL game.
- The Storm have won their last nine Anzac Day games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
