Match Centre

Round 17: Rabbitohs v Storm preview

Rabbitohs eye victory in Reynolds milestone

The South Sydney Rabbitohs will face their toughest test of the season when they take on the Melbourne Storm at ANZ Stadium. Coming into form with five straight wins heading towards the finals, the Rabbitohs will be out to announce their premiership credentials by claiming a second major scalp in as many weeks.

Silencing critics doubting their ability to compete against top eight teams with a 38-0 shutout against the Eels last Thursday, Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett will be hoping his side can overcome a dismal record against the Storm following just five wins from 32 meetings over the past two decade. Sitting six points clear of ninth position to all but guarantee a place in the finals for the third consecutive year, a win could see the Rabbitohs finish the round as high as fifth.

Naming Alex Johnston in place of Latrell Mitchell at fullback, experienced speedster Dane Gagai will also make his return from a hamstring injury following a fortnight on the sidelines. In a momentous occasion for the club, captain Adam Reynolds will become only the sixth player in 111 seasons to achieve 200 first grade games for South Sydney.

Heading into the final month of the regular season as an outside chance of claiming the minor premiership, the Melbourne Storm will be determined to put an end to the Rabbitohs' resurgence. Accounting for the Sea Eagles 30-6 last Sunday, coach Craig Bellamy will be readying his team for a fierce encounter against the league's biggest improvers. Returning to ANZ Stadium for the first time since the 2018 Grand Final, the Storm will field fewer than half the players that went down to the Roosters two years ago.

Recalling Brenko Lee to the backline in place of Marion Seve, rookie forward Chris Lewis will come into the starting side with Nelson Asofa-Solomona sidelined, while Kenny Bromwich could be a late inclusion after being named on the extended bench. Scoring 12 tries in 15 matches this season, prolific try-scorer Josh Addo-Carr will line up for his 100th game.

Last meeting: Round 4 2020 - Storm 22 Rabbitohs 8

Who to watch: Destined to play for South Sydney having learned his trade in-and-around the streets of Redfern, Rabbitohs captain Adam Reynolds will join esteemed company on Friday night by becoming only the sixth man to play 200 first grade games for the club. Standing alongside red and green greats John Sutton, Nathan Merritt, Bob McCarthy, Craig Coleman and Eric Simms, the 30-year-old halfback has been a pillar of consistency since debuting in first grade eight years ago, earning representative honours and guiding the club to a premiership in 2014. Scoring 63 points in his past four matches to move to second on the NRL's point-scorers tally, Reynolds will be focussed on getting the job done as the side pushes for an unexpected top four finish.

Regarded as one of the game's finest finishers with 75 tries over the past five seasons, Storm flyer Josh Addo-Carr will be looking to celebrate a milestone of his own against the Rabbitohs. Set to bring up 100 appearances in the NRL after debuting with the Tigers in 2016, the 25-year-old speedster has developed into a superstar under the coaching of Craig Bellamy to go from a fringe first grader to a premiership-winning international. Set to return to Sydney next season to be closer to his family, the man affectionately dubbed ‘The Foxx' will be looking to continue his try-scoring prowess against the Rabbitohs having scored seven tries in seven previous meetings.

The favourite: While the Rabbitohs did prevail when the two teams last faced off at ANZ Stadium, the Storm are expected to prove too strong at the end of 80 minutes.

My tip: With both teams missing a number of established stars due to injury, the big game experience of the Storm should be the difference in a close contest. Storm by 7.