Round 17 - Souths v Storm

Discussion on anything to do with Melbourne Storm - games, players, rumours - anything!
Scooter
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Round 17 Souths v Storm
Friday 4 September at ANZ Stadium at 7:55pm

More injuries (also have heard Lee has a hamstring injury, nothing from official sources and assuming Eisenhuth (calf) is not available) our 21 could look something like this
1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
2 Isaac Lumelume
3 Nicho Hynes
4 Justin Olam
5 Josh Addo-Carr 
6 Cameron Munster 
7 Jahrome Hughes
8 Jesse Bromwich 
9 Cameron Smith
10 Christian Welch 
11 Felise Kaufusi 
12 Chris Lewis
13 Tino Faasuamaleaui
14 Ryley Jacks
15 Darryn Schonig
16 Albert Vete
17 Aaron Pene
18 Ricky Leutele
19 Sandor Earl
20 Kelma Tuilagi
21 Cooper Johns

Probably a week earlier than we planned but Ricky Leutele may debut at centre. Have I missed anyone.
Mattpoet
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I actually wouldn't mind Leutele to centre and Hynes to lock as a ball playing middle... Think it could work.
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Pole
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Big game this week, Souths have been on fire lately. This is our last hard game really until finals.
Storm2016
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This could pretty much wrap up top 2 spot. Given the outs we will have though, not to fussed if we lose, given our position and games to come, its probably more important we get through unscathed without further injuries.

Apparently Tino is the only player to of played all games this year

Pretty much our best 1-17 have all missed games through genuine injury. JAC the only one who hasnt been injured as the game he missed was to have a baby. Paps rested for 1 game.

Really shows how proud of the team we should be for what they have done so far this year with all the injuries and being relocated to another state at such short notice. Its all been pretty underrated i reckon by the nrl world.
RobbieRoss
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Storm2016 wrote: Mon Aug 31, 2020 11:37 am This could pretty much wrap up top 2 spot. Given the outs we will have though, not to fussed if we lose, given our position and games to come, its probably more important we get through unscathed without further injuries.

Apparently Tino is the only player to of played all games this year

Pretty much our best 1-17 have all missed games through genuine injury. JAC the only one who hasnt been injured as the game he missed was to have a baby. Paps rested for 1 game.

Really shows how proud of the team we should be for what they have done so far this year with all the injuries and being relocated to another state at such short notice. Its all been pretty underrated i reckon by the nrl world.
Agree - the whole team has shown great resilience .

We might get one or both of Kenny and Tom back this week.
RobbieRoss
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Also Max King available .
Storm2016
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Given its not must win, wont be such a bad thing for Schonig, Lewis, Lumelume, Vete &/or King to get the chance to play this game against a team who will be in the finals. They are depth players and hopefully we dont need them in finals, but at worst case scenario, wont be a bad thing for them to show what they have against souths, just in case they are needed against the best teams in finals.
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yourhero
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Last three meetings;
Rd 4 2020 Win - Storm 22 - Bunnies 8
Rd 21 2019 Win - Storm 26 - Bunnies 16
Qualifying Final 2018 Win - Storm 29 - Bunnies 28
TOTAL - Storm 77 - Bunnies 52

Form Guide (Last 5 Games)
Storm
W - Storm 30 - Sea Eagles 6
L - Storm 0 - Eels 14
W - Storm 24 - Roosters 6
W - Storm 41 - Bulldogs 10
W - Storm 26 - Knights 16
4 Wins & 1 Loss - 121 - 52
24.2 points per game For
10.4 points per game Against

Bunnies
W - Bunnies 38 - Eels 0
W - Bunnies 56 - Sea Eagles 16
W -Bunnies 31 - Cowboys 30
W - Bunnies 28 - Broncos 10
W - Bunnies 32 - Dragons 24
5 Wins - 185 - 80
37 points per game For
16 points per game Against
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yourhero
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Bunnies attack has been red hot over the past 5 weeks, averaging 37 points for! We will need to shut them down in the middle and not let Cook/Walker get on the front foot with time and space.

The loss of Latrell plays in our favour, but by no means does that negate what they have been doing in recent weeks.
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Pole
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They've got better form then us! I feel though their run will end on Friday!
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yourhero
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Image

https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/ ... lace-seve/

Rabbitohs v Storm: Gagai, AJ ready to go; Options to replace Seve
NRL.com
Mon 31 Aug 2020

In the red corner are the Rabbitohs, who are coming off last week's 38-0 annihilation of Parramatta.

Souths have caught fire over the past month, piling on 94 points in their previous two matches and averaging 37 over their past five games.

The Bunnies have to get by without Latrell Mitchell for the rest of the season, but they provided compelling evidence against the Eels that they have the players ready to step up.

In the blue corner are the Storm, who welcomed back their big guns last week and kept hold of second spot after brushing aside a slumping Manly.

The minor premiership is still within Melbourne's reach but they're going to need competition leaders Penrith to slip up in the run to the finals.

The rundown

Team news
Rabbitohs: Outside backs Dane Gagai (hamstring) and Alex Johnston (head knock) are expected to return. Gagai looks set to reclaim his centre spot from Steven Marsters, while Johnston could play fullback with Latrell Mitchell now out for the season. However, if coach Wayne Bennett prefers to keep Johnston on the wing, then Corey Allan could wear the No.1.

Storm: Centre Marion Seve is out with a suspected ACL injury. Brenko Lee is expected to return to cover that loss, while Isaac Lumelume looks likely to retain his place on the wing after a strong debut. New signing Ricky Leutele is another centre option but the former Sharks star lacks match fitness.

Forward enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona is out with a calf injury. Kenny Bromwich and Tom Eisenhuth are touch and go to return from their calf issues. Prop Max King (achilles) is available for selection and may be needed for his first game since round four.

Key match-up
Cody Walker v Cameron Munster. Nothing better than a Friday night heavyweight showdown featuring mouth-watering match-ups all over the park. There's Cook v Smith and Reynolds v Hughes, but it could be a late-game piece of magic from Walker or Munster that proves decisive.

Walker has rediscovered his best form in recent weeks and re-formed a lethal combination with halves partner Adam Reynolds, while the mercurial Munster is returning from injury and will no doubt be relishing his head-to-head duel with Walker.

Stat attack
This is the second meeting between Souths and Melbourne this season. The Storm won that round four clash on home soil 22-8 after leading 8-6 at half-time. Adam Reynolds tied it up at 8-8 with a 50th-minute penalty goal but they were the only points in the second half for the visitors.

In their only meeting last year, Melbourne beat the Bunnies 26-16 at Central Coast Stadium. Souths had a chance to steal victory after a late fightback but Brodie Croft scored a 75th-minute try to clinch Melbourne's win. Campbell Graham scored all three of the Rabbitohs' tries.
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yourhero
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I think this will be won through the middle.

The key stat for the Rabbitohs since they have gone on their run has been their ability to complete sets. They have averaged 84% completions over the past 5 games (88% the past fortnight). They are getting great go forward, tiring teams out with the amount of ball they are getting in games (55% possession over the past 5 weeks, 60% over the past fortnight).

I think if our defence in the middle is strong and we put pressure on with line speed, we will force some errors and win this game.
moffla
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I'd be tempted to put Leutele on the bench. It's important to get some level of match fitness into him, even if that is a 30 minute stint.
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Pole
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Could be some rain Friday night, 31% chance according to Google. Would effect ball handling.
Scooter
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Official Storm squad
1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
2 Isaac Lumelume
3 Brenko Lee
4 Justin Olam
5 Josh Addo-Carr
6 Cameron Munster
7 Jahrome Hughes
8 Jesse Bromwich
9 Cameron Smith
10 Christian Welch
11 Felise Kaufusi
12 Chris Lewis
13 Tino Faasuamaleaui
14 Nicho Hynes
15 Ryley Jacks
16 Albert Vete
17 Darryn Schonig
18 Sandor Earl
19 Max King
20 Aaron Pene
21 Kenny Bromwich
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