The Late Mail: Rabbitohs v Bulldogs
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Melbourne Storm v St. George Illawarra Dragons
McLean Park - Saturday 5:30pm
The Melbourne Storm started to get their season back on track last weekend after tearing apart the Panthers last weekend 52-10. Prior to that game the Storm had lost four games on the trot, and were in jeopardy of sliding out of the top eight. Instead, they've managed to cling to fifth position on 22 points, with a far superior for/against to the other three teams on 22 points.
The Dragons on the other hand weren't as impressive last weekend, slumping to their 6th loss in a row, and removing themselves from the top 8. Despite looking strong early in the game, the Dragons faded badly against the Rabbitohs in the second half, eventually losing 24-8.
The tightness of the competition this season means that the St George Illawarra side are not ruled out of the finals, but they'll need to lift their performances this weekend if they are to be a chance of a finals berth in 2015. They're a far cry from their 8/9 win streak in the middle of the season.
Both teams have named unchanged lineups from their last starts. Cooper Cronk has been named, despite being forced from the field early against the Panthers with a knee injury.
And no, we haven't made a mistake - the Storm are taking a home game away from Victoria! This weekend's match will be played on the east coast of New Zealand, at McLean Park, Napier - the first time the Storm will play a home game outside Victoria.
Last meeting: Round 1 2015 - St. George Illawarra Dragons 4 Melbourne Storm 12
Who to watch: Marika Koroibete was an absolute beast for the Melbourne side last weekend. On the way to making almost 300 running metres, Koroibete made 8 tackle busts and 4 line breaks, and looked unstoppable every time he had the ball in his hands. Not only that, he threw three offloads after drawing panicked defenders, creating massive space for his teammates to work in.
The performance of the Dragons' halves will be important in this game. Early in the season the Dragons were winning games by grinding their opposition out of the game with their defence. In recent weeks their defence hasn't had the same steel, and it's no coincidence that they're struggled to gain any sort of traction without it. Instead, the Dragons will need to spark their defence through their attack, and Benji Marshall and Gareth Widdop will be the key men to make this happen. Benji Marshall has been rocks and diamonds so far this season, but if he can cut the errors down, watch out.
The favourite: Melbourne are heavy favourites in this one, and it's no surprise after the rubbish the Dragons have been dishing up over the past six weeks.
My tip: The Dragons need this win to keep their hopes alive in 2015, but the Storm aren't going to just give it to them. I'm expecting the Melbourne side to put in a performance similar to that of last weekend. Storm by 14.
1. Cameron Munster 2. Marika Koroibete 3. Will Chambers 4. Tohu Harris 5. Richard Kennar 6. Blake Green 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Tim Glasby 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Ryan Hinchcliffe
Interchange: 14. Dale Finucane 15. Mahe Fonua 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Christian Welch
1. Josh Dugan 2. Justin Hunt 3. Euan Aitken 4. Peter Mata'utia 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Benji Marshall 8. Leeson Ah Mau 9. Mitch Rein 10. Ben Creagh 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Joel Thompson 13. Mike Cooper
Interchange: 14. Jack de Belin 15. Jake Marketo 16. Heath L'Estrange 17. Will Matthews 18. Drew Hutchison 20. Mark Ioane
Referees: Matt Cecchin, Chris Butler; Sideline Officials: Michael Wise, Anthony Elliott; Video Referees: Shayne Hayne, Luke Phillips;