Full Time
80:00
7:50pm Fri September 7, 2018
Finals Week 1 - AAMI Park, Melbourne / Wurundjeri - Crowd: 17306
80min

FULL TIME - An absolute thriller and the Storm win a seesawing affair 29-28. Full wrap to come. Thanks for joining me!

79min

John Sutton's pass goes to ground and the Storm will win!

79min

Just a minute to go! Cameron Smith short to Cheyse Blair who is tackled. Rabbitohs work it out from inside their own 10.

78min

Sam Burgess with a risky offload and Cheyse Blair dives on it! Melbourne should hold on!

77min

Suliasi Vunivalu flies above them to take it off the short restart! Melbourne already in the South Sydney half on the third and Cameron Munster is taken 30 out. Jesse Bromwich then with a settler before Munster drills it to Campbell Graham who does very well to take it and link with Alex Johnston. Souths deep inside their own half. They need something here!

77min

Field Goal: Storm
Kicked by Cameron Munster.

Cameron Munster links inside with Billy Slater who steams through the middle and he is pulled up 40 out. Munster then snaps the field goal!

Storm lead Storm 29 - 28 Rabbitohs
75min

Conversion: Storm
Kicked by Cameron Smith.

We are level again!

Tied up at Storm 28 - 28 Rabbitohs
74min

Try: Storm
Scored by Cheyse Blair. Kick to come.

What a reply from Melbourne! Josh Addo-Carr steams down the left edge and kicks inside for Blair who scores next to the posts!

Rabbitohs lead Storm 26 - 28 Rabbitohs
74min

Souths will all the momentum and they are on halfway on the last. Adam Reynolds goes high but Billy Slater is under it. Josh Addo-Carr with the next carry up towards the 30 before Suliasi Vunivalu works it up to the 40 and finds Felise Kaufusi who offloads to Brodie Croft and Melbourne are in the Rabbitohs' half.

73min

Conversion: Rabbitohs
Kicked by Adam Reynolds.

Reynolds pilots it through.

Rabbitohs lead Storm 22 - 28 Rabbitohs
72min

Try: Rabbitohs
Scored by Cameron Murray. Kick to come.

Cameron Murray beats Joe Stimson and surges over for a very soft try! The forward pass call may have been harsh but that's a poor response from Melbourne in defence.

Rabbitohs lead Storm 22 - 26 Rabbitohs
68min

Cameron Munster with an awkward, spiralling bomb on the last but Alex Johnston does very well to take it. Souths into the Melbourne half after a John Sutton run. Adam Reynolds goes high on the last and Josh Addo-Carr has it. He, for some reason, links with Billy Slater but the ball is forward! Rabbitohs scrum fee 10 out.

67min

Conversion: Storm
Attempted by Cameron Smith.

Smith hooks it to the right.

Tied up at Storm 22 - 22 Rabbitohs
66min

Try: Storm
Scored by Cheyse Blair. Kick to come.

And Melbourne hit back! They spread it left and Blair goes over!

Tied up at Storm 22 - 22 Rabbitohs
65min

Dane Gagai holds on too long in the tackle and Melbourne have a full set 30 out after earning a penalty.

64min

Conversion: Rabbitohs
Attempted by Adam Reynolds.

Reynolds hooks it.

Rabbitohs lead Storm 18 - 22 Rabbitohs
63min

Try: Rabbitohs
Scored by Robert Jennings. Kick to come.

Too easy! They shift it left and Jennings crosses over as Melbourne fail to number up. Cody Walker holds up the pass and then spreads it to Greg Inglis who draws and passes to his winger.

Rabbitohs lead Storm 18 - 22 Rabbitohs
61min

Cody Walker beats Brodie Croft and sprints down the touchline. He is taken over the sideline by Curtis Scott but the centre is penalised. Souths 10 out with a full set to come!

60min

Melbourne working it out from deep inside their own half through their outside backs. Cheyse Blair with a strong carry and they are over halfway. Cameron Munster rushes an awkward kick but Alex Johnston is under it and Souths work it up towards halfway.

58min

Cameron Smith clears it out of dummy-half towards Alex Johnston who finds Campbell Graham and Souths begin the set on their own 20. Robert Jennings works it up to the 30 before Greg Inglis picks up five metres from dummy-half. Souths 40 out from the Melbourne line on the last. Adam Reynolds with a towering bomb for Josh Addo-Carr who is under it.

57min

George Burgess with the opening run off the restart before brother Sam takes it up over the 10-metre mark. John Sutton with a strong charge past the 30 before Cody Walker turns it inside to Greg Inglis who is pulled up just short of halfway. Adam Reynolds goes high on the last and Billy Slater does brilliantly to take it.

56min

Conversion: Rabbitohs
Kicked by Adam Reynolds.

Reynolds locks us up again!

Tied up at Storm 18 - 18 Rabbitohs
55min

Try: Rabbitohs
Scored by Greg Inglis. Kick to come.

Are we at the MCG? Inglis soars above to take the Adam Reynolds and crashes over despite a great attempt at tackle by Billy Slater.

Storm lead Storm 18 - 16 Rabbitohs
55min

George Burgess back out there and the Bunnies only conceded two points with him off the field. They'll be very pleased as they go on the attack off the dropout.

54min

South Sydney very bunched in this set. They need something as they are looking tired in attack. Adam Reynolds with a lovely grubber and Brodie Croft is trapped in-goal. Nice play.

53min

Brandon Smith ruled to have dragged the ball forwards in the tackle with Cameron Murray. Rabbitohs scrum to pack 40 out from the Melbourne line.

51min

Robert Jennings takes the bomb on the last and forces a dropout. Great play by the winger and an important one as it is more time to soak up with George Burgess in the bin.

49min

Damien Cook earns his side a late-tackle penalty and the Rabbitohs begin the set 20 out from the Melbourne line.

48min

Suliasi Vunivalu collects the clearing kick from Adam Reynolds and Melbourne are already in the South Sydney half on the third play. They shift it right to Curtis Scott who is taken 30 out. Cameron Munster short to Joe Stimson and the Storm are 20 out on the last. Suliasi Vunivalu with a touch on the kick on the last and Alex Johnston cleans it up. Souths need to hold onto this 18-12 deficit. They can't concede any more.

46min

Cameron Smith with a lovely kick on the fourth tackle and Campbell Graham brings it back over the 10. Robert Jennings is then hit hard by Suliasi Vunivalu before Dane Gagai surges over the 30. Souths struggling for much here with only 12 men and they will kick from inside their own half. Time off with Angus Crichton down.

45min

Penalty Goal: Storm
Kicked by Cameron Smith.

Smith sends it through from right in front.

Storm lead Storm 18 - 12 Rabbitohs
44min

George Burgess binned for interfering with Dale Finucane as he chased onto a kick! Cameron Smith will shoot for two.

43min

Adam Reynolds with another high one to end the set but Billy Slater is under it before being taken by Dane Gagai and Angus Crichton. Josh Addo-Carr with the next carry before Suliasi Vunivalu takes it up towards the 40. The ball spills out backwards and Felise Kaufusi runs onto it and is hit high by George Burgess. Poor discipline.

42min

Kenneath Bromwich with a strong run and Melbourne are 40 out on the last. Brodie Croft sends it high but Alex Johnston takes it and South Sydney work it out from deep inside their own half.

41min

George Burgess takes it over the 10-metre mark before Cameron Murray and Angus Crichton put their hands up for solid carries. Sam Burgess is then smacked by Christian Welch before John Sutton works it up to the 40. Adam Reynolds with a spiraling bomb on the last but Josh Addo-Carr is under it.

40min

Back underway here at AAMI Park.

40min

Adam Reynolds is back and will play.

40min

HALF TIME - It will be very interesting to see whether that try on the buzzer breaks the Bunnies. Adam Reynolds in serious doubt to take part in any more of this one too. Stay tuned for the second half.

40min

Conversion: Storm
Kicked by Cameron Smith.

Smith slots it.

Storm lead Storm 16 - 12 Rabbitohs
40min

Try: Storm
Scored by Suliasi Vunivalu. Kick to come.

Adam Reynolds hampered by a shoulder injury and Brodie Croft breaks through and grubbers through for Suliasi Vunivalu who steams onto it and scores in the corner! What a try on the siren!

Storm lead Storm 14 - 12 Rabbitohs
38min

Conversion: Rabbitohs
Attempted by Dane Gagai.

Reynolds receiving treatment and Gagai takes the kick and misses far to the left.

Rabbitohs lead Storm 10 - 12 Rabbitohs
37min

Try: Rabbitohs
Scored by Greg Inglis. Kick to come.

Robert Jennings flicks it off the ground for Inglis in support who surges over!

Rabbitohs lead Storm 10 - 12 Rabbitohs
35min

Souths want more than just two points. They tap!

35min

Melbourne 40 out on the last. Cameron Smith drills it towards the sideline but Alex Johnston plays at it and is taken five short of his own line. Dane Gagai and Campbell Graham help out their big men with solid runs. Robert Jennings then puts his hand up before Cameron Murray surges towards the 40. Sam Burgess takes it over halfway on the third. They then spread it right and Graham is taken 40 out. Adam Reynolds goes high on the last and he is taken late. Penalty Rabbitohs 20 out.

33min

Conversion: Storm
Attempted by Cameron Smith.

Smith shanks it quite badly.

Storm lead Storm 10 - 8 Rabbitohs
31min

Try: Storm
Scored by Suliasi Vunivalu. Kick to come.

Brodie Croft takes them on with speed and Melbourne are 10 out on the last. Cameron Smith to Billy Slater who beats Greg Inglis and Suliasi Vunivalu crosses over out wide!

Storm lead Storm 10 - 8 Rabbitohs
29min

Souths 40 out from the Melbourne line on the last. Adam Reynolds goes high again and Billy Slater takes it in a diving effort. Josh Addo-Carr and Cameron Munster with the first runs of the set and the latter is taken high by Cameron Murray. Easy metres out of their own half off the penalty.

28min

South Sydney step up in defence and will deny them. Brodie Croft's kick to the corner is too big but Suliasi Vunivalu does well to bat it back inside to Curtis Scott who finds Felise Kaufusi but he is swarmed on. Handover.

26min

Felise Kaufusi nails Sam Burgess and he drops the ball. Melbourne with a full set 20 out. Scrum to pack!

26min

Penalty Goal: Rabbitohs
Kicked by Adam Reynolds.

Reynolds sends it through and Souths lead again.

Rabbitohs lead Storm 6 - 8 Rabbitohs
25min

Cameron Munster goes high from inside his own half on the last and Campbell Graham is under it. Souths working it out from inside their own half. A quick spread left and Cody Walker goes short to John Sutton who offloads and George Burgess surges through the middle. He picks up a penalty and Adam Reynolds will shoot for two.

23min

Conversion: Storm
Kicked by Cameron Smith.

Smith sneaks it in.

Tied up at Storm 6 - 6 Rabbitohs
22min

Try: Storm
Scored by Curtis Scott. Kick to come.

Cameron Smith with a lovely cutout ball out of dummy-half and Brodie Croft quickly gives it to Felise Kaufusi who finds Scott out wide and he goes over untouched. Too easy!

Rabbitohs lead Storm 4 - 6 Rabbitohs
22min

Storm begin the set 30 out from the South Sydney line. Felise Kaufusi with the first carry before they go inside to Tim Glasby who is taken 20 out. They now shift it right to Curtis Scott who runs back inside and he is tackled 15 out. Jesse Bromwich with a settler on the third.

21min

Greg Inglis will stay on after being hit in a strong tackle by Suliasi Vunivalu.

21min

Souths spread it left and Robert Jennings comes up with an error and now is penalised for holding Suliasi Vunivalu down. Greg Inglis is down injured receiving support and is in trouble.

20min

Cameron Munster kicks through on the fourth to force a dropout but it goes dead.

18min

Cameron Munster clears it on the last and it ricochets off a South Sydney player. Sam Burgess dives on it but has dropped the ball. Melbourne 40 out from the Rabbitohs' line with the scrum to set.

17min

Melbourne run it on the last and Brodie Croft shifts it to Cheyse Blair who kicks inside but Souths have it back and work it out from inside their own half. Angus Crichton works it over the 30 on the fourth. Cameron Murray with a strong carry then an offload and Robert Jennings steams over halfway. Adam Reynolds sends it into the air on the last and Billy Slater does very well to take it.

15min

Sam Burgess surges up towards the line and looks certain to go over but has dropped the ball! Close call.

14min

Josh Addo-Carr pushed back by Sam Burgess and he has dropped the ball! South Sydney five out with a full scrum to come!

13min

George Burgess charges up to the Melbourne defensive line and takes it up to the 20. Sam Burgess then works it up past the 30 before Greg Inglis picks up solid metres with a carry. Damien Cook scoots out of dummy-half and then Thomas Burgess takes it up to halfway. Adam Reynolds goes high on the last and Billy Slater is met well by Dane Gagai.

12min

Penalty Goal: Rabbitohs
Kicked by Adam Reynolds.

Reynolds extends South Sydney's lead to six.

Rabbitohs lead Storm 0 - 6 Rabbitohs
11min

Jesse Bromwich drops it and now Melbourne concede a penalty 38 out from their own line. Adam Reynolds will shoot for two more.

10min

George Burgess with the first charge off the restart before brother Sam Burgess fends off Cameron Smith and is taken on the 20. John Sutton then works it up to the 30. Angus Crichton then surges past the 40 before Adam Reynolds takes them on and is tackled just shy of halfway. Cody Walker goes high on the last but Suliasi Vunivalu is under it.

9min

Conversion: Rabbitohs
Attempted by Adam Reynolds.

Reynolds misses from the sideline.

Rabbitohs lead Storm 0 - 4 Rabbitohs
8min

Try: Rabbitohs
Scored by Dane Gagai. Kick to come.

Gagai nabs the first try of the 2018 finals series!

Rabbitohs lead Storm 0 - 4 Rabbitohs
8min

Rabbitohs 10 out on the last. Adam Reynolds kicks for Campbell Graham. Josh Addo-Carr appears to have dropped it and Dane Gagai scoops up the ball to score out wide. Sent up a try to the Bunker!

7min

Joe Stimson and Dale Finucane with the opening runs to begin this set before they spread it right to Felise Kaufusi who is pulled up 30 out. They now shift it left and Cheyse Blair is taken 20 out from the line. Brodie Croft grubbers through on the last but it's too big and Souths nab a seven-tackle set.

5min

Powerful set here from South Sydney. They are 30 out on the last - Adam Reynolds goes into the air and Josh Addo-Carr is wrapped up just short of his own line. Melbourne struggling for metres here but Billy Slater catches the Bunnies defenders offside. Penalty.

4min

South Sydney defending well in this set and Melbourne will kick from inside their own 40 on the last. Cameron Smith clears it from dummy-half and finds Robert Jennings who takes it up to the 30.

3min

South Sydney working it out from inside their own end through Angus Crichton and Dane Gagai before Sam Burgess surges up towards halfway. George Burgess then takes it into the Melbourne half and the Bunnies are 30 out on the last. Adam Reynolds goes high and Josh Addo-Carr takes it.

2min

Billy Slater steams onto a Cameron Munster grubber and somehow grounds it with one hand! But the video officials rule he planted it on the dead-ball line. Big let off for the Rabbitohs.

1min

Campbell Graham with an error and the Storm pack a scrum just short of halfway.

1min

Jesse Bromwich and Dale Finucane with the first runs to begin. Bromwich with his second carry and Melbourne are over the 30 on the third. Cameron Munster clears it on the last for Alex Johnston who is under it and brings the ball up to the 40.

We are underway in the 2018 finals series!

Kick-off shortly. Given the strength of their pack, I'm taking Souths tonight by six.

One big change for the Storm with Brodie Croft starting at halfback in place of Jahrome Hughes. It means that Sam Kasiano comes onto the bench while Ryan Hoffman misses out.

The winner goes through to the preliminary finals and will be 80 minutes away from the big dance. Meanwhile, the loser prepares to face the winner of the Broncos versus Dragons game.

Good evening and welcome to League Unlimited's live update of tonight's blockbuster clash between the Storm and Rabbitohs.

Referees & scorers:

Referee: Ashley Klein, Adam Gee

Touch Judges: Dave Munro, Michael Wise

Video Referee: Steve Chiddy, Ben Galea

MELBOURNE STORM (29)
Tries: Curtis Scott, Suliasi Vunivalu (2), Cheyse Blair (2)
Field Goals: Cameron Munster (1/1)
Conversions: Cameron Smith (3/5)
Penalty Goals: Cameron Smith (1/1)

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (28)
Tries: Dane Gagai, Greg Inglis (2), Robert Jennings, Cameron Murray
Field Goals:
Conversions: Dane Gagai (0/1), Adam Reynolds (2/4)
Penalty Goals: Adam Reynolds (2/2)