Penrith punish rusty Roosters
6 hours ago | Aidan Edgecomb
Melbourne Storm v South Sydney Rabbitohs
AAMI Park - Saturday 7:30pm
Could we have an early candidate for game of the year? How will Souths respond without Adam Reynolds?
Melbourne pushed themselves into the top 2 with a convincing 28-10 defeat of a struggling Parramatta side. Craig Bellamy has this team very well drilled at the present and they will be keen to get another win before the origin madness hits their club.
The Storm are unchanged from last weeks win and are in good touch, it will take a special effort by the Rabbits on Saturday night to get the win.
Souths return to the winners circle after three barren weeks previously. Their gritty and determined 16-10 defeat of the Dragons didn't come without costs however. As Adam Reynolds has succumbed to yet another injury, this time a broken thumb that will see him miss up to 6 weeks. John Sutton was also injured in the match with an eye injury, but all reports say that he will line up in the halves.
Keen to keep the momentum going Souths will be hoping their nucleus of young starts Alex Johnston, Aaron Gray and Chris Grevsmuhl can get the job done.
Youngster Nathan Brown gets a spot on the bench and Isaac Luke is still on the bench with Cameron Mcinnes preferred to start at hooker.
Last meeting: Round 10 2014 - South Sydney Rabbitohs 14 Melbourne Storm 27
Melbourne have an incredible record against the Rabbitohs as they have only lost 4 games to them in all meetings. Souths last win came in 2013 in a year where they made the Preliminary Finals. However before that clash Melbourne had won the previous 6. In total they have played 24 times, for 20 wins to the Storm and only 4 wins to Souths. Furthermore in the 4 games they have played at AAMI Park Souths have never won and have only scored 40 points in those 4 games.
Can Souths buck the trend on Saturday Night?
Who to watch: Cooper Cronk is having a quiet season even by his standard in 2015. With only two tries and just over 200 metres in 9 games, he is down on his usual form for the Storm. Cronk has also failed to make a line break this season.
I'm expecting to see these stats change as we all gear up for State of Origin. Cronk is a class player who is capable of being untouchable on his day. He will no doubt be wanting to wear the Number 7 Jersey at ANZ Stadium come May 27, so expect to see a good performance from him against Souths to wrap this jersey up. Especially his link up play with both Billy Slater and Marika Korobeite who have been running a muck out wide for the Storm in 2015.
For Souths, they'll need a big game from their forward pack to get over an imposing Melbourne pack. Keep an eye on young back rower Chris Grevsmuhl. A powerful running of the ball capable of busting tackles, Grevsmuhl will be the man that Souths look to in imposing themselves over the Melbourne pack especially without International Glenn Stewart. He ran for over 120 metres last week and busted 2 tackles against the Dragons. His explosive running style could tire out and cause the Storm trouble if not dealt with early, keep your eyes on him folks. He is built like a Viking and plays like one too!
The favourite: Melbourne are safe bets here with a full compliment of players and the home ground advantage.
My tip: Melbourne for me here folks. Home ground advantage and some great momentum that will be too much for Souths without Reynolds. It will be close, but the class of Slater, Cronk and Smith will guide the Purple Brigade home. Storm by 6.
1. Billy Slater 2. Mahe Fonua 3. Will Chambers 4. Kurt Mann 5. Marika Koroibete 6. Blake Green 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Tim Glasby 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Tohu Harris 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Ryan Hinchcliffe 15. Kenneath Bromwich 16. Dayne Weston 17. Christian Welch 18. Felise Kaufusi 19. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs
1. Greg Inglis 2. Alex Johnston 3. Dylan Walker 4. Bryson Goodwin 5. Aaron Gray 6. John Sutton 7. Luke Keary 8. George Burgess 9. Cameron McInnes 10. David Tyrrell 11. Chris Grevsmuhl 12. Chris McQueen 13. Ben Lowe
Interchange: 14. Issac Luke 15. Nathan Brown 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Tim Grant 18. Joel Reddy
Referees: Matt Cecchin, Henry Perenara; Sideline Officials: Michael Wise, Ricky MacFarlane; Video Referees: Shayne Hayne, Luke Phillips;