NRL Match Preview: Rabbitohs vs Storm RD8, 2025
The South Sydney Rabbitohs will travel to Melbourne to take on the Storm this Friday in what will be the third and final game headlining the NRL’s massive ANZAC Day celebrations in 2025.
Having started the season strongly but slumped to two consecutive losses in recent weeks, the Rabbitohs have everything to play for in this clash as they attempt to correct the course of their season and get things back on track.
The South Sydney players will don the ANZAC Round jersey, the design of which honours the Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Group of the Royal Australian Navy.
2025 is the fourth year of the partnership between the Rabbitohs and the Royal Australian Navy. The Rabbitohs will be eager to display their passion for the cause when they take the field on Friday night in their mission to acquire an extremely valuable two competition points.
Tallis Duncan: “I’ll try do everyone in my family and all the fans and all my teammates proud.”
Tallis Duncan is extremely proud to represent his family in this upcoming ANZAC Day fixture against the Storm, particularly given his extensive family history of military service, including his father and uncle as clearance divers. While firmly focused on getting the two competition points, Duncan is also mindful of the occasion and will be sure to put his best foot forward when he runs onto the field on Friday.
“Yeah it is something that we’ve spoken about in my family. It’s something that I probably don’t do enough of – sort of reflecting – and I don’t think now’s the time for it, but it (representing my family) is always good. As I said, I’ll wear it with pride and I’ll try do everyone in my family and all the fans and all my teammates proud."
Euan Aitken: “I don’t mind really, as long as I’m in that starting 13, that’s the goal for me.”
Euan Aitken has been named to start in the back row this week after playing his first two games for the Rabbitohs in the centres against the Cowboys and Bulldogs in rounds six and seven respectively. Aitken’s ability to cover multiple positions is a massive asset for South Sydney, and he’s more than happy to play either position as long as he’s fulfilling his goal of starting games.
“To be honest they’ve both got their positives and negatives. There’s a lot more hard work at back row, but you’re a lot more involved. Sometimes when you’re in a good side, getting some early ball in the centres is quite fun as well. I don’t mind really, as long as I’m in that starting 13, that’s the goal for me.”
Campbell Graham: “We’ve looked at all those things today and we’ll definitely be focused on them going into the game this Friday.”
Campbell Graham thinks that he and his teammates have taken many lessons out of their tough loss to the Bulldogs on Good Friday. Given the nature of the defeat, Wayne Bennett will have identified several areas for improvement, and Graham is confident that the team has what it takes to fix these things in time for their clash with the Storm on ANZAC Day.
“To be honest there were plenty of learnings that we took out of that game. I mean we didn’t even give ourselves a chance to be honest in that game with the amount of dropped ball and ill-discipline. Defensively I thought there’s things that we could tidy up. We’ve looked at all those things today and we’ll definitely be focused on them going into the game this Friday.”
Team Changes
Coach Wayne Bennett has made a host of changes to the side that was defeated by the Bulldogs in round seven.
After spending time at both left centre and five-eighth in the last few games since returning from injury, Latrell Mitchell reverts to his favoured position of fullback, with Jye Gray to wear number 14 and provide impact off the bench.
In the halves, skipper Cody Walker shifts back to five-eighth, with Jayden Sullivan returning at halfback after serving his one-match suspension in the previous round.
A head knock to Lachlan Hubner has forced a reshuffle in the forwards, with Jai Arrow to play lock while Euan Aitken shifts one in from centre to edge back row.
Campbell Graham will move into the centres after returning from injury on the wing, while Bayleigh Bentley-Hape has been named on the wing for the second NRL match of his career.
Wayne Bennett and the Rabbitohs medical staff have provided the latest injury updates on Cody Walker, Jamie Humphreys and Tyrone Munro. Read more in the latest Rehab Report.
Following the latest injury update, Cody Walker has been ruled out of this Friday's ANZAC Day clash against the Storm. Jye Gray will shift from the bench to five-eighth, with Lewis Dodd moving from the extended reserves onto the bench.
Recent Results
- Round 23, 2024 – Storm 28-16 Rabbitohs (Accor Stadium)
- Round eight, 2024 – Storm 54-20 Rabbitohs (AAMI Park)
- Round ten, 2023 – Rabbitohs 28-12 Storm (Suncorp Stadium)
- Round five, 2023 – Storm 18-10 Rabbitohs (Accor Stadium)
- Round 19, 2022 – Rabbitohs 24-12 Storm (Accor Stadium)
Match Details and Where To Watch
Fixture: South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Melbourne Storm
Date: Friday 25th April, 2025
Kick-off: 8:10pm (AEST)
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Where to Watch: Channel 9, Kayo and Foxtel.
