The Rabbitohs are flying high after a last-up win over the ladder-leading Broncos, but this week are tasked with taking on a Storm side they lost to just a month ago.
Melbourne were the last team to beat South Sydney back in Round 5, and since then Jason Demetriou's side have shown themselves to be arguably the competition's form team with consecutive wins over the Bulldogs, Dolphins, Panthers and Broncos.
With Campbell Graham scoring tries for fun and Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell firing, the Rabbitohs are a scary prospect with ball in hand, while in defence they have given up more than 18 points to an opponent just once all year.
The Storm will be well rested after a bye in Round 9, which came after they toughed out a victory over the Warriors on Anzac Day.
Melbourne have a brilliant record against South Sydney, winning 84 per cent of their meetings to date, while the Rabbitohs have enjoyed playing at Suncorp Stadium in recent times, with three victories in a row at the venue heading into Magic Round.
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Team News
Storm: Grant Anderson has been added to the bench an hour before kick-off with Tariq Sims going back to 18th Man. Eliesa Katoa is back after suffering a head knock on Anzac Day. Craig Bellamy's side is otherwise relatively settled and coming off a bye with Tom Eisenhuth back from a hip injury on the interchange.
Rabbitohs: The Rabbitohs are 1-17 with no late changes. Davvy Moale is out of the squad and Liam Knight, who returned from a knee injury via NSW Cup last week, is included on the interchange for his first NRL game of the season. Tevita Tatola and Hame Sele both start the game this week with Jai Arrow going to the bench. Blake Taaffe is 18th Man.
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Stat Attack
- The Storm have won eight of their past nine games against the Rabbitohs.
- Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell has scored 70 points in his past four games.
- The Storm have lost three of their past four games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston will make his 200th NRL appearance.
- Storm playmaker Cameron Munster has won 11 games from 13 against the Rabbitohs.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the