gong_eagle
First Grade
- Messages
- 7,655
Storm v Rabbitohs Preview
NRL.com
Olympic Park
Sunday 7.00pm
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=52708
THIS match might be inconsequential for the Rabbitohs but the Storm will know exactly what they need to do come 7pm Sunday night.
With all other matches run and won before they hit the Olympic Park playing field, the Storm will know if they have to win, and by how much, to take the minor premiership for a third straight year.
Despite being already guaranteed a top-three finish and home final the Storm desperately want to finish number one and at very least number two to give themselves a shot at the easiest run towards another grand final appearance.
Currently they need to overcome an eight-point shortfall in terms of differential to the Sea Eagles, so assuming the Manly side beats Penrith theyll need to beat Souths by at least eight more points than the Sea Eagles win by.
In other words, if Manly win by 10, the Storm needs to win by at least 18 if Manly win by 25, the Storm need at least a 33-point margin of victory you get the picture.
To finish third theyd need to lose to the Bunnies, something that hasnt happened in quite a while, and both the Sharks and Sea Eagles would have had to win previously.
The home side welcomes back Steve Turner on the wing, which moves veteran Matt Geyer back to centre for his final regular-season home game.
Russell Aitken misses out.
Aiden Tolman also misses the side thanks to the welcome return of Test star Ryan Hoffman.
His return in the second row moves Sika Manu to the bench.
For the Rabbitohs, veteran centre Nigel Vagana is out which sees Fetuli Talanoa back to centre and Jamie Simpson back in on the wing.
Craig Wing moves back from hooker to five eighth, John Sutton from five-eighth to lock and Issac Luke starts at hooker.
With captain and prop Roy Asotasi out for the year with a torn pectoral Shannon McPherson moves to the second row and Luke Stuart bumps up to prop.
Beau Falloon is back on the bench and Ben Lowe has been added as an 18th man.
Watch out Storm: The Bunnies can score a bunch of tries in quick time; something to be aware of when differential is coming into play.
As proven on many occasions this year, including last week against the Roosters, South Sydney arent finished until the final whistle and if the Storm think they are safe before the 80th minute runs out they may rue the day.
The likes of Issac Luke, Craig Wing and Toyota Cup Halfback of the Year Chris Sandow will love the opportunity to throw the footy around with reckless abandon in an attempt to upset the Storms flow and rhythm.
Watch out Rabbitohs: Matt Geyer is farewelling Olympic Park and anyone who knows Boofa will tell you he will be primed to say goodbye with a massive performance.
As a Mr Fix-it this season, Geyer has four line breaks, seven line-break assists, six try assists and six tries.
Hed love nothing more than to add another try or two or three to that tally and chances are the opportunity may come.
Hed also love to have another photo with the JJ Giltinan Shield (he has two) before he hangs up the boots for good.
Where it will be won: Professionalism.
Sure the Rabbitohs organisation is moving forward in leaps and bounds but it hasnt reached the field yet.
They have retained sponsors and have state-of-the-art training facilities but when it comes to on-field professionalism, the Storm have them covered.
This match will be won, by Melbourne, because the 17 players on show know how to do their job when the pressure is on.
Sure theyll know what needs to be done to finish first but even if they need to win by 40 you wont see them break from their winning formula.
Theyll strangle the Bunnies out of the match with clinical football, knowing that is what is needed to see them rack up the points.
They wont be overly risky from the outset and theyll be just as ruthless in defence as always.
None of this is suggesting the Rabbitohs arent a professional unit; they are just nowhere near the level of the reigning premiers.
The History: Played 13; Storm 11, Rabbitohs 2. Melbourne has a 6-0 record at Olympic Park against the Rabbitohs and have won the past six against South Sydney at all venues.
While the past two encounters were close affairs the average score over the past six games is 30-10 in favour of the Storm.
Conclusion: Unless Manly beat Penrith by 60 the Storm will still be in with a great shot at winning the minor premiership and theyll play accordingly.
Look for a big Storm win and a mini-celebration with the minor premiership afterwards.
Match officials: Referee Steve Lyons; Sideline Officials Peter Kirby & David Abood; Video ref Bill Harrigan.
Televised: Fox Sports 2 Live 7pm.
* Statistics: NRL Stats.
NRL.com
Olympic Park
Sunday 7.00pm
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=52708
THIS match might be inconsequential for the Rabbitohs but the Storm will know exactly what they need to do come 7pm Sunday night.
With all other matches run and won before they hit the Olympic Park playing field, the Storm will know if they have to win, and by how much, to take the minor premiership for a third straight year.
Despite being already guaranteed a top-three finish and home final the Storm desperately want to finish number one and at very least number two to give themselves a shot at the easiest run towards another grand final appearance.
Currently they need to overcome an eight-point shortfall in terms of differential to the Sea Eagles, so assuming the Manly side beats Penrith theyll need to beat Souths by at least eight more points than the Sea Eagles win by.
In other words, if Manly win by 10, the Storm needs to win by at least 18 if Manly win by 25, the Storm need at least a 33-point margin of victory you get the picture.
To finish third theyd need to lose to the Bunnies, something that hasnt happened in quite a while, and both the Sharks and Sea Eagles would have had to win previously.
The home side welcomes back Steve Turner on the wing, which moves veteran Matt Geyer back to centre for his final regular-season home game.
Russell Aitken misses out.
Aiden Tolman also misses the side thanks to the welcome return of Test star Ryan Hoffman.
His return in the second row moves Sika Manu to the bench.
For the Rabbitohs, veteran centre Nigel Vagana is out which sees Fetuli Talanoa back to centre and Jamie Simpson back in on the wing.
Craig Wing moves back from hooker to five eighth, John Sutton from five-eighth to lock and Issac Luke starts at hooker.
With captain and prop Roy Asotasi out for the year with a torn pectoral Shannon McPherson moves to the second row and Luke Stuart bumps up to prop.
Beau Falloon is back on the bench and Ben Lowe has been added as an 18th man.
Watch out Storm: The Bunnies can score a bunch of tries in quick time; something to be aware of when differential is coming into play.
As proven on many occasions this year, including last week against the Roosters, South Sydney arent finished until the final whistle and if the Storm think they are safe before the 80th minute runs out they may rue the day.
The likes of Issac Luke, Craig Wing and Toyota Cup Halfback of the Year Chris Sandow will love the opportunity to throw the footy around with reckless abandon in an attempt to upset the Storms flow and rhythm.
Watch out Rabbitohs: Matt Geyer is farewelling Olympic Park and anyone who knows Boofa will tell you he will be primed to say goodbye with a massive performance.
As a Mr Fix-it this season, Geyer has four line breaks, seven line-break assists, six try assists and six tries.
Hed love nothing more than to add another try or two or three to that tally and chances are the opportunity may come.
Hed also love to have another photo with the JJ Giltinan Shield (he has two) before he hangs up the boots for good.
Where it will be won: Professionalism.
Sure the Rabbitohs organisation is moving forward in leaps and bounds but it hasnt reached the field yet.
They have retained sponsors and have state-of-the-art training facilities but when it comes to on-field professionalism, the Storm have them covered.
This match will be won, by Melbourne, because the 17 players on show know how to do their job when the pressure is on.
Sure theyll know what needs to be done to finish first but even if they need to win by 40 you wont see them break from their winning formula.
Theyll strangle the Bunnies out of the match with clinical football, knowing that is what is needed to see them rack up the points.
They wont be overly risky from the outset and theyll be just as ruthless in defence as always.
None of this is suggesting the Rabbitohs arent a professional unit; they are just nowhere near the level of the reigning premiers.
The History: Played 13; Storm 11, Rabbitohs 2. Melbourne has a 6-0 record at Olympic Park against the Rabbitohs and have won the past six against South Sydney at all venues.
While the past two encounters were close affairs the average score over the past six games is 30-10 in favour of the Storm.
Conclusion: Unless Manly beat Penrith by 60 the Storm will still be in with a great shot at winning the minor premiership and theyll play accordingly.
Look for a big Storm win and a mini-celebration with the minor premiership afterwards.
Match officials: Referee Steve Lyons; Sideline Officials Peter Kirby & David Abood; Video ref Bill Harrigan.
Televised: Fox Sports 2 Live 7pm.
* Statistics: NRL Stats.
