Stat Attack: Rabbitohs' right edge key to breaking shackles
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South Sydney's attack over the past month of the Telstra Premiership has been patchy despite winning three of their four clashes.
Last week the Rabbitohs got out of jail against a spirited Eels outfit, and in doing so found some much-needed success down their right edge after a season dominated by their left.
With Greg Inglis due back in a fortnight, the left side of the field naturally offers a slicker option for the Bunnies but moving into the finals and coach Anthony Seibold will want to ensure their right side is also a threat.
According to pan66.com Stats, 41 tries have been scored down the Rabbitohs' left edge with Robert Jennings (17), Inglis (7) and Cody Walker (10) a part of the NRL's most lethal try-scoring combination.
On the right edge, South Sydney have 24 tries between them – the seventh best in the competition.
Dane Gagai and Campbell Graham piled on four tries in the 26-20 win over the Eels, a breakthrough for the pair after a quiet period in the Rabbitohs' otherwise excellent attacking run.
Gagai notably gets through less work at club level than the former Knight does in the Origin and international arena.
He has nine tries in 10 games for Queensland but has settled for just three in 17 games for his new club this season.
His outside wingers Graham and Richie Kennar have 11 tries between them on the right edge.
"It was good to see some ball there, in saying that it doesn't matter where the tries are coming from," Graham said of his try-scoring feats against Parramatta on Saturday night.
"We need to start picking up some momentum heading into September. It's the work from the inside men there, Reyno (Adam Reynolds) and Gags (Gagai) giving me some good service.
Souths wary of Storm's triple threat
"We know where we need to improve. The last couple of weeks haven't been good enough or up to our standards."
There is no bigger test for the Rabbitohs to face than defending premiers Melbourne on Friday night, with the Storm boasting formidable edge pairings of their own.
It will be of interest to see where the points are scored by the Bunnies given Will Chambers and Suliasi Vunivalu rate as the best defensive edge in the game.
Melbourne have conceded just 15 tries in 19 games on their right side (where Souths' left edge will match up) while the Storm's left side has leaked 25 tries.
"It's definitely a good challenge for me, he's a quality player and has a lot of strike power," Graham said of facing Addo-Carr.
"I won't be giving him too much room. Melbourne Storm are a quality team, quite consistent and have been for a number of years now. It will be a great test to see where we're at."
Rabbitohs v Storm - Round 21
