The South Sydney Rabbitohs will travel to Melbourne for an ANZAC Round clash with the Storm at AAMI Park on Saturday night, with kick-off set for 8:10pm (AEST).

It is a significant occasion for the Red and Green as they head south for round eight, with the Club sitting in fourth position on the ladder after winning four of their six matches so far this season. South Sydney come into the contest off the back of a convincing 30-12 victory over the St. George Illawarra Dragons in round seven, a result that got the Rabbitohs back on track following a narrow 34-36 loss to the Canberra Raiders the week prior.

One player who will be in the spotlight this Saturday is winger Alex Johnston, who lines up in jersey number two for what will be his 250th career NRL appearance. Johnston currently sits on 249 games and will reach the milestone when he takes the field at AAMI Park. It is a remarkable achievement for the Club’s all-time leading try scorer, who has already broken Ken Irvine’s all-time NRL try-scoring record and now sits on 217 career tries. Johnston has also reached 50 career try assists, underlining his value not just as a finisher but as a creator for those around him.

Captain Cameron Murray will lead the side from the lock position, with Latrell Mitchell at left centre and Cody Walker pulling the strings at five-eighth alongside halfback Jamie Humphreys. The halves pairing will need to be at their best against a Melbourne outfit that still boasts the quality of Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes in their own halves combination. Interchange forward Keaon Koloamatangi is also one to watch, sitting on 24 career tries and just one away from reaching 25.

The Rabbitohs have not had the best of luck against Melbourne in recent times, losing both encounters last season. In round eight of 2025, the Storm won 24-16 at AAMI Park, while in round 16 they edged South Sydney 25-24 at Accor Stadium in a heartbreaker. The Red and Green will be keen to turn that record around this time, particularly given the contrasting form of the two sides heading into this weekend.

The Melbourne Storm find themselves in unfamiliar territory in 2026, sitting in 15th position on the ladder with just two wins from seven matches. Craig Bellamy’s side are currently enduring a five-game losing streak. Despite their position on the table, the Storm remain a dangerous opponent, particularly at AAMI Park where they will be desperate to arrest their slide.

South Sydney will be well aware that a wounded Storm side at home on ANZAC Round is not a team to be taken lightly. However, with four wins from six games, the Rabbitohs have every reason to travel to Melbourne with confidence. A victory would consolidate their place inside the top four and continue what has been an encouraging start to the 2026 season for the Cardinal and Myrtle.

Team Changes

Rabbitohs Head Coach Wayne Bennett has named a settled side for the trip to Melbourne. Matthew Dufty retains the fullback jersey, with Alex Johnston and Campbell Graham on the wings and the potent centre pairing of Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton in the three and four jerseys respectively. Brandon Smith lines up in the second row alongside Tallis Duncan, with Bronson Garlick at hooker. Euan Aitken, Latrell Siegwalt and Liam Le Blanc have all been added to the extended squad.

Match Details and Where To Watch

Fixture: Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

Date: Saturday 25 April

Kick-off: 8:10pm (AEST)

Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne