Melbourne Storm star Nick Meaney admits his side have to find a way to stop Latrell Mitchell if they hope to avoid two unwanted NRL firsts against Souths on Saturday night. The Storm have never lost at home to the Bunnies in 20 previous meetings between the two teams in Melbourne, and Craig Bellamy’s side have never suffered six-straight defeats in the 23 years he’s been in charge.
The last time Melbourne lost six in a row was when Mark Murray was coach in 2002, the year before Bellamy took over. But both Storm records are set to go on the line at AAMI Park on Anzac Day as 15th-placed Melbourne host a Rabbitohs side boasting the competition’s most in-form centre, Mitchell.
Storm star Nick Meaney (L) says containing Rabbitohs powerhouse Latrell Mitchell (R) will be key to his side’s hopes of avoiding two unwanted NRL firsts. Pic: Getty
The NSW Origin star has looked back to his imposing best after switching from fullback to left centre this season. Latrell scored four tries to almost singlehandedly destroy the Dragons last week in one of his best games in South Sydney colours. The rampaging Rabbitohs ace made Maroons Origin star Valentine Holmes look second rate in defence, and Meaney could be in for an equally tough night if he doesn’t aim up against the 28-year-old.
However, the Melbourne centre insists that stopping Latrell will not just be up to him. Meaney said it would take a collective effort from the team to contain the Souths powerhouse when asked by reporters on Wednesday how they planned to nullify Mitchell’s attacking threat.
“I guess as a group,” he replied. “He’s a pretty special player, very strong, very powerful. Hopefully we’re just in a good position to put some pressure on him and a few other good players in their team.”
Craig Bellamy has never lost six-straight games at Storm
The Storm managed to keep Bellamy’s unbeaten round one record alive in their season-opening thrashing of Parramatta. And the players will be desperate to help the veteran coach avoid the first six-game losing streak of his decorated career.
Halfback Jahrome Hughes says last week’s four-point loss to the Raiders showed the Storm were getting back to their best. And he’s hopeful they can use it as a launchpad towards another improved showing against the Bunnies.
“It’s tough losing games and I’m probably a sore loser more than anyone else, but you’ve got to take some positives,” Hughes told AAP. “I felt like during the (Raiders) game we were back to our best, we probably just didn’t sustain it for long enough, but there was great signs there.”
Halfback Jahrome Hughes is hoping the Storm can help Craig Bellamy avoid a sixth-straight loss for the first time in his NRL coaching career. Pic: Getty
(Darrian Traynor via Getty Images)
Souths captain Cameron Murray knows his side will have to be at their best to win in Melbourne, despite the Storm’s lowly position on the ladder. But he said the Rabbitohs’ winless record in the Victorian capital is not something that’s been playing on his mind.
“I honestly try not to think too much about records or any hoodoos or anything like that,” Murray said. “It’s always a big challenge going down to Melbourne – they’ve been the top team, the pinnacle of this competition, for a long time.
“Playing them in their backyard has proven to be a little bit extra hard coming up against a team like that. They’re always strong, Melbourne. We always have to be on our A-game and we have to be ready to work hard for a win.”
with AAP