No footy this Saturday?

The Melbourne sporting landscape will be turned upside down this weekend, with the big rugby league (Melbourne Storm v South Sydney Rabbitohs) and rugby union (Australia v Italy) double taking over the AFL dominated city.

With only two games of AFL being played all weekend, and only one in Melbourne on Friday night, it?s an opportunity for the Melbourne public to take in a game of rugby league.

This Saturday night at 7:30pm sees the Melbourne Storm take on a resurgent South Sydney Rabbitohs outfit at Olympic Park in a do-or-die encounter for the home side.

The Rabbitohs have been a different side over the past four weeks, losing narrowly to the Broncos and the Dragons, drawing with last years Premiers the Bulldogs and defeating the in-form Sea Eagles who are sitting in third position on the premiership ladder.

On the other hand, after blazing a trail through the competition in the early months of the season, including a 50-4 victory over current ladder leaders the Brisbane Broncos, the Storm have been on what can be best described as a roller coaster ride of results.

Having been anointed early season favourites for the title, Melbourne are now clinging on to a finals position by the skin of their teeth. This weekend?s game will give them the opportunity to kick-start their season back into life. They will also be hoping to provide a performance that will go some way to getting back some respect from the Storm faithful, and pay them back for their loyalty and devotion to the cause.

With only five home games left this season, it?s the perfect opportunity to take the family to see the best in the business such as Billy Slater, Matt King and Cameron Smith strut their stuff on the Olympic Park turf. There is always something going on to keep the children entertained such as face painting, a jumping castle, pyrotechnics and Storm Man, the most energetic mascot in the land.