It is Fulltime! Melbourne have bounced back to win 22-8 at AAMI Park. Stay tuned for 3,2,1's and Match Report @LeagueUnlimited!
Cameron Smith converts and the Storm lead 20-8.
Justin Olam scores after both Cameron Munster and Smith combine and that is the game!
Penalty Storm - Troy Dargan runs a shepherd on Braidon Burns and Melbourne are off the hook.
Josh Addo-Carr knocks down a Jaydn Su'A pass close to the line. Souths scrum 10m out.
Damien Cook builds some pressure with a repeat set. Ryan Papenhuyzen bats it dead and Storm have a line dropout.
Ryan Papenhuyzen knocks on in front of his own line. Souths a big chance with a scrum 10m out!
Cameron Smith converts and the Storm lead 16-8.
Cameron Munster kicks over the top and hits Josh Addo-Carr on the chest to score a superb try, great vision from Munster! Storm lead 14-8 kick to come.
Souths on the attack and Troy Dargan throws a rushed pass, which is intercepted by Suliasi Vunivalu.
Justin Olam puts down a poor pass from Kenny Bromwich. Souths scrum 30m from their own line.
Cameron Smith puts the Storm back in front 10-8.
Penalty Storm - Against Tevita Tatola for taking Ryan Papenhuyzen on suspicion close to the line. Smith points to the posts from 33m out.
Penalty Storm - Against Alex Johnston for an attempted strip. Melbourne charge over halfway.
Campbell Graham gets a kick away on the last and Cameron Smith is tackled in goal. Dropout Storm.
Adam Reynolds levels the scores at 8 all.
Penalty Souths - Against Christian Welch for a strip and Reynolds points to the posts.
Adam Reynolds gets a repeat set with a superb kick on the last and Suliasi Vunivalu is trapped in goal. Storm line dropout.
VIDEO REF - NO TRY - Jahrome Hughes steps back on the inside close to the line to score, however the Video Ref has ruled that Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has interfered with Damien Cook in the lead up...poor call. Souths ball 15m out from their own line.
Storm on the attack on the left hand side and Ryan Papenhuyzen grubbers for Josh Addo-Carr and Latrell Mitchell kicks the ball dead just in time. Dropout Souths!
Ryan Papenhuyzen then somehow bats the kick for touch back into play with a freakish effort! Storm make their way upfield. Massive play!
Penalty Rabbitohs - Against Cameron Munster for a high tackle on Jaydn Su'A.
We are underway @AAMI Park for the Second Half!
It is halftime @AAMI Park and the Storm lead 8-6 in a real arm wrestle. Stay tuned for all the second half action coming up shortly @LeagueUnlimited!
Cameron Smith grubbers from dummy half close to the line and Damien Cook just gets the to knock it from the grasp of Dale Finucane to stop a certain try!
Cameron Munster loses the ball close to the line and Souths have the ball 13m from their own line.
Cameron Smith again misses and the score remains 8-6 to Melbourne.
Cameron Munster slices through up the middle, he find Hughes who kicks to the corner for Suliasi Vunivalu who collects a lucky bounce to score in the corner! Storm lead 8-6 kick to come.
Adam Reynolds hoists the ball high on the last. It is taken by Josh Addo-Carr who is struggling with a rib injury, he finds Ryan Papenhuyzen who is tackled 22m from their own line.
Cameron Munster tries to throw a long cut out pass and Souths scoop it up through Dane Gagai and are tackled 13m from their own line.
Souths on the attack and Mark Nicholls drops it cold! Storm now make there way upfield.
Latrell Mitchell knocks on after getting out of dummy half close to the line following a strong run from Jaydn Su'A. Storm scrum 10m from their own line.
Ryan Papenhuyzen tries to get a quick play the ball and he knocks on. Rabbitohs scrum 44m out.
Josh Addo-Carr gets a sloppy pass from Justin Olam and puts it down with the try line begging.
Adam Reynolds adds the extras and Souths lead 6-4.
Latrell Mitchell throws a sublime cut out pass off a set play close to the line and Alex Johnston sets sail for the corner and scores a sensational try! 4 all kick to come!
Forward pass from Jahrome Hughes and Souths are on the attack 25m out!
Damien Cook grubbers on the last and Suliasi Vunivalu manages to get back in the field of play.
Penalty Souths - Against Kenneath Bromwich for being inside the 10m off the kick on the last. Souths find the line just over halfway.
Cameron Smith misses the conversion and Storm lead 4-0.
Jahrome Hughes and Brenko Lee combine to put Suliasi Vunivalu away down the right hand side and the Fijian winger hits Ryan Papenhuyzen supporting on the inside and he streaks away to open the scoreline for the home side. Storm lead 4-0 kick to come.
Jahrome Hughes kicks on the last for Suliasi Vunivalu but it is far too deep and Dane Gagai re-starts from the 20m line.
Thomas Burgess attempts to rake the ball away from Cameron Smith but is ruled to have knocked on. Scrum 40m out to the home side.
We are underway @AAMI Park! Jesse Bromwich charges towards the Rabbitohs defensive line and is tackled 12m from his own line.
Welcome to AAMI Park in Melbourne for the 2nd game in @LeagueUnlimited's Friday Night Football coverage, with the Melbourne Storm taking on the South Sydney Rabbitohs in what promises to be one of the matches of the round. Melbourne have some late changes, with Marion Seve and Ryley Jacks out of the game day 17. This sees Brenko Lee start at centre in jersey #18 and Chris Lewis make his NRL debut off the bench in jersey #21. Christian Welch will also drop to the bench with Brandon Smith starting in the middle. Souths also have a few late changes with Cameron Murray starting at lock, Ethan Lowe moving to the second row and Liam Knight starting from the pine. Patrick Mago has been replaced on the bench by Keaon Kalomatangi who will also make his NRL debut in jersey #21. Will both sides coming off a loss, there will be plenty of feeling in this one, so stayed tuned for all the action @LeagueUnlimited! Kick off not far away!
Referees & scorers:
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judges: Todd Smith, Phil Henderson
Video Referee: Jared Maxwell, Bryan Norrie
MELBOURNE STORM (22)
Tries: Ryan Papenhuyzen, Suliasi Vunivalu, Josh Addo-Carr, Justin Olam
Field Goals:
Conversions: Cameron Smith (2/4)
Penalty Goals: Cameron Smith (1/1)
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (8)
Tries: Alex Johnston
Field Goals:
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (1/1)
Penalty Goals: Adam Reynolds (1/1)