GETTING UP FOR ANOTHER BIG CLASH
It has been a massive start to the year for the Rabbitohs with big games against the Sharks, Panthers and Roosters.
This was followed up by the emotional week after the passing of club legend John Sattler and a golden point thriller against a much-improved Manly side.
They were entitled to be flat against another title contender in Melbourne, but South Sydney came out with plenty of intent early and showed no signs of fatigue in the first half, getting up and rising to the occasion for the fifth straight week, but…..
FLAT PATCH PROVES COSTLY
The Rabbitohs came out of the sheds off the pace, and they were made to pay with immediate effect.
Twice in the opening passages of play the Storm were able to make long-range breaks from their own half, and the second stuck to make it a handy 12-point lead for the Storm.
They come off the back of some poor defensive errors, and that’s where fatigue looked to set in out of the half-time blocks.
To their credit they rallied back to give themselves a hope late in the game, but they will be left to lament that opening period of the second stanza.
CODY CONTINUES TO FIRE
After his best game of the season against Manly, Cody Walker backed it up with another strong showing.
He asked plenty of questions of Melbourne’s defence, looked dangerous with the ball and was rewarded for his back-up play with a try in the first half after a nice offload from Cameron Murray.
Walker was also probing as they mounted a comeback through the second half.
South Sydney’s attack looks most dangerous when the inspirational five-eighth is focused and on his game, and the last two weeks have shown why the Indigenous All Stars representative remains among the competition’s premier halves.
PRIME OPPORTUNITIES GO TO WASTE
The Rabbitohs had plenty of opportunities deep in Melbourne half, with the chance for a number of attacking kicks throughout the contest.
Only one error was forced from those kicks, with no repeat sets able to be manufactured with the boot at all throughout the 80 minutes.
The opportunities were certainly there to win the game, but unfortunately for South Sydney passes did not stick at crucial periods.
It hurt with the amount of territory they enjoyed, although credit must go to the Storm for some incredible defensive plays to close out the game.
FORWARDS GETTING BACK ON THE PADDOCK
It was a great sight to see Hame Sele and Jacob Host get through more than 40 minutes each.
Host made his comeback last week, while Sele returned tonight after his round three head knock against the Roosters.
Both looked good, were able to get their hands on the ball and looked solid in defence, with Sele, in particular, showing very encouraging signs in a 48-minute stint.
With the likes of Jai Arrow and Tevita Tatola to come back in the coming weeks, it will be exciting to see the forward pack click as one at full strength.
