The Melbourne Storm have a new opponent for their annual ANZAC Day match but coach Craig Bellamy is expecting the team to extend their impressive record in the emotional clash.
Melbourne will host the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Aami Park on Thursday night, with the Warriors playing at home for the second time on ANZAC Day.
The Storm have won 10 of 13 games since their ANZAC Day game began as an annual affair in 2009 and they're eager to ensure the dominance continues against the Rabbitohs.
The way the two teams have started the season has been poles apart, with Melbourne sitting second and South Sydney struggling down in 16th.
The Rabbitohs showed plenty of fight in a last-start loss to the Sharks before last week's bye allowed the club to reset. Coach Jason Demetriou has been spared the axe, with veteran David Furner brought on board as an assistant.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Storm v Rabbitohs
Team News
Storm: A late change on game day sees Nelson Asofa-Solomona revert back to the bench with Christian Welch named to start at prop. The Storm are otherwise unchanged to the team that beat the Roosters last Thursday.
Rabbitohs: A late shuffle in the forwards sees Maroons forward Jai Arrow shift back to the bench in his return from a shoulder with Keaon Koloamatangi moving from second to front row and Michael Chee Kam join the starting side. Skipper Cameron Murray has completed the concussion protocols and takes his place at lock. Hooker Damien Cook has been recalled and will start at hooker. Jacob Gagai comes in on the wing for Tyrone Munro (collarbone).
Match: Storm v Rabbitohs
Round 8 -
home Team
Storm
away Team
Rabbitohs
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan PapenhuyzenFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Jye Gray
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Winger for Storm is number 2 Will WarbrickWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Jacob Gagai
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Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis SmithCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Jack Wighton
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Centre for Storm is number 4 Nick MeaneyCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Isaiah Tass
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Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier CoatesWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Taane Milne
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Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
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Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome HughesHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Dean Hawkins
Forwards
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Prop for Storm is number 10 Josh KingProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
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Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry GrantHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
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Prop for Storm is number 15 Christian WelchProp for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
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2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jacob Host
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2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 18 Michael Chee Kam
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Lock for Storm is number 13 Trent LoieroLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
Interchange
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Interchange for Storm is number 8 Nelson Asofa-SolomonaInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter Mamouzelos
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Interchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran WishartInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Siliva Havili
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Interchange for Storm is number 16 Joe ChanInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Davvy Moale
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Interchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonaldInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jai Arrow
Reserves
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Replacement for Storm is number 18 Jack HowarthReplacement for Rabbitohs is number 20 Tallis Duncan
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Storm have won their past seven ANZAC Day games.
- The Rabbitohs have lost all 18 games played in Melbourne.
- The Storm are aiming for their 14th consecutive win at AAMI Park.
- Rabbitohs centre Jack Wighton has won five of his past six games in Melbourne.
- Storm winger Xavier Coates has scored 25 tries in 22 games at AAMI Park.
Match: Storm v Rabbitohs
Round 8 -
home Team
Storm
2nd Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
17th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .
