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
15th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
4th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Storm: Despite coming off five straight losses the Storm have stuck with the same 19-man squad that went down to the Raiders. Nick Meaney has been named on the wing with Manaia Waitere in the centres but they may swap on game day as they did in Round 7. Davvy Moale is listed in jersey No.17 and is line for his fourth appearance of the season after he and Hugo Peel weren't used last week.
Rabbitohs: Bronson Garlick is named to start at hooker and Brandon Smith in the back row in the only tweak to last week's starting side. Euan Aitken has been added to the six-man bench as he chases a first appearance since Round 2 following a leg injury.
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 4 Nick MeaneyCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Jack Wighton
-
Winger for Storm is number 5 Manaia WaitereWinger 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 14 Peter Mamouzelos
-
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Lachlan Hubner
-
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Shawn BloreInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Jayden Sullivan
-
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Davvy MoaleInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Keaon Koloamatangi
-
Interchange for Storm is number 18 Jack HetheringtonInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Euan Aitken
-
Interchange for Storm is number 19 Hugo PeelInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Liam Le Blanc
Reserves
-
Reserve for Storm is number 20 Trent ToelauReserve for Rabbitohs is number 20 Latrell Siegwalt
-
Reserve for Storm is number 21 Josiah PahuluReserve for Rabbitohs is number 21 Thomas Fletcher
-
Reserve for Storm is number 22 Moses LeoReserve for Rabbitohs is number 22 Edward Kosi
Storm Ins
- Josiah Pahulu
- Moses Leo
- Trent Toelau
Rabbitohs Ins
- Euan Aitken
- Latrell Siegwalt
- Liam Le Blanc
Storm Outs
Rabbitohs Ins
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.
