Storm v Rabbitohs free tips & odds, NRL Thursday, round 2, 2022

Melbourne Storm host South Sydney in the opening match of NRL round 2 on , on Thursday, March 17. Read on for our match preview, prediction and odds update for the clash at AAMI Park, Melbourne.

Craig Bellamy’s Storm have been made favourites at around $1.38 and that is no surprise given South Sydney’s abysmal record in Melbourne.

---

READ: NRL match betting previews and tips
NRL round 2 schedule, 2022 title odds update
NRL Friday: Roosters v Sea Eagles betting tips, preview

---

Souths have won just one of their past 12 matches against the Storm; even supercoach Wayne Bennett could not coax a win out of them against their nemesis.

Further, they have never beaten the Storm in Melbourne, though they did lose just 29-28 in 2018. Most of their trips south have resulted in thrashings over the years.

Souths were also extremely disappointing in their opening-round loss to the Broncos in their first match under the control of new coach Jason Demetriou. Their attacking combinations were way off kilter.

Meanwhile, the Storm were also not at their best against the Wests Tigers, but they still overcame a heavy injury toll and sluggish start to get the two points.

---

Storm v Souths team news for round 2

Melbourne have lost Christian Welch (achilles) and George Jennings (knee) for the long term, along with powerhouse hooker Brandon Smith (hand). But they do regain Origin wizards Cameron Munster and Harry Grant, and have  Jesse Bromwich fit again to slot into Welch’s prop spot.

Of course, the big news for Souths is they finally regain Latrell Mitchell after his long suspension, and they will be desperately hoping the fullback can spark his team’s usually deadly left-side attack. The loss of centre Dane Gagai in the off-season has not helped in that regard.

---

Storm v Rabbitohs

Kick-off: 8.05pm local time
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Head to head odds: Melbourne $1.39, South Sydney $3.05
Line: Melbourne (-8 points) $1.95, South Sydney (+8 points) $1.85
Match total: 41.5 points: over $1.90, under $1.90

---

Storm v Rabbitohs free betting tips

Our NRL betting expert has highlighted his free tips for Thursday night’s game.

---

Melbourne Storm v South Sydney Rabbitohs prediction 17-3-2022

These are two heavyweight contenders, though many pundits are waiting for the Rabbitohs to fall away with the departure of playmaker Adam Reynolds and coach Wayne Bennett. The jury’s out for us as we wait to see how young guns such as halfback Lachlan Ilias shape up. Our Storm v Souths prediction: Storm by 2 points.

---

Storm v Souths lowdown

All sports betting previews

Relevant news