NRL Finals Week 1 - Storm (2nd) v Rabbitohs (3rd) @ AAMI Park

Melbourne Storm v South Sydney Rabbitohs @ AAMI Park
 
Preview - The Storm host the Rabbitohs in an explosive final’s clash, with the winner getting a week off and a home Preliminary Final. The Storm have a fantastic record against the Rabbitohs in Melbourne, having beaten them 11 of the last 12 occasions at home. However, when the sides last clashed, the Rabbitohs were far too powerful and they won handsomely 30-14 as their forwards dominated the second half at ANZ Stadium. The hosts come off this clash having missed an opportunity to win the Minor Premiership, going down 22-16 to the Panthers as they fielded an under strength side. The Rabbitohs made a real statement, thrashing the Tigers 51-10, as they brushed aside three straight losses to head into the finals with a bit of momentum. 
 
Melbourne Storm Scouting Report - Craig Bellamy welcomes back three of his key backline cavalry with Billy Slater, Suliasi Vunivalu and Cameron Munster all back in the starting backline. Jahrome Hughes moves from fullback to halfback as the Storm look to become the first side to go back-to-back since the Broncos in 1992/93. 
 
South Sydney Rabbitohs’ Scouting Report - Anthony Siebold has the luxury of naming an unchanged side to the one that demolished the Tigers last week. With all his key backline players back fit and firing, Souths are at full strength, with Greg Inglis having lost 11kg since the start of the season and looking primed for a big finals’ campaign. 
 
Verdict - Storm by 1-8

Going to stick with the Storm given they are at home and welcome back three of their big guns. I am slightly worried that if Souths’ forwards are on song they could overpower Melbourne, however I think the Storm are such a tough proposition at home in big games. Souths have a horrible record in Melbourne, and I actually think Vunivalu, Slater and Munster coming into this game fresh could be an advantage. Expecting a very physical game, but just trust Melbourne’s defence a little more in big games, so I think they will edge this by a try or less.