Dominic BrockUpdated July 24, 2026 — 8:45pm,first published 7:30pmYour say: South Sydney or Melbourne?By Latest Posts8.45pmWatch: Stefano Utoikamanu’s barnstorming runBy 8.43pmStorm earn a penalty to take the leadBy The Storm have a successful captain’s challenge, overturning a knock on decision (Rabbitohs halfback Ashton Ward got a hand to the ball first), so the visitors get a scrum feed 10 metres out from South Sydney’s line.The Rabbitohs’ defence holds firm for one, two, three tackles, before Ashley Klein signals a six-again for offside. The Storm keep coming, Jahrome Hughes turning a dangerous inside pass for Alec MacDonald, and when MacDonald gets a quick play-the-ball away the ball touches the hand of Rabbitohs forward Lachlan Hubner lying in the ruck, and it’s a penalty to Melbourne.Finally we have a goal tonight, Tyran Wishart slotting an easy one, and the visitors have the lead for the first time.Storm 10, Rabbitohs 8 after 34 minutes8.35pmTRY: Utoikamanu goes on a rampage to set up KeeleyBy A gargantuan run from Stefano Utoikamanu has levelled the scores here, the Storm prop crashing through two defenders from 40 metres out then charging upfield, holding off Souths fullback Matt Dufty and offloading to Oryn Keeley for a spectacular try.It’s still not been a good night for these team’s back-up goal-kickers, Tyran Wishart off target again.Rabbitohs 8, Storm 8 after 22 minutes8.25pmTRY: Faalogo sets up Storm’s first try after Grant subbed onBy Harry Grant is on early for the Storm – the decision to start the star hooker on the bench hasn’t worked out great so far – and he receives a penalty after rival rake Brandon Smith jumps out of marker and bats the ball out of his hands.That’s a penalty this season, for unknown reasons, and the Storm have a golden opportunity to strike.And strike they do, Jahrome Hughes sending a pass to dynamo fullback Sua Faalogo, who steps inside one defender then sends winger Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown over for his first career try.Tyran Wishart doesn’t get particularly close with his sideline conversion attempt but Melbourne are back in this one.Rabbitohs 8, Storm 4 after 18 minutes8.19pmKlein’s record-breaking refereeing milestone By As well as 200-gamer Josh King, tonight’s contest is a milestone match for referee Ashley Klein, who sets a new NRL record with his 444th game in charge. It’s been a tumultuous year for Klein, but certainly a great effort to reach that tally.Referee Ashley Klein.Getty Images8.15pmTRY: Rapid start for Rabbitohs as Wighton goes overBy They’re missing a lot of key players but this South Sydney side is looking great anyway, a backline shift to the right ending with Cody Walker holding up a nice pass for Jack Wighton who powers over the try line.It’s another tricky conversion for Latrell Siegwalt, and this time he misses it to the left.Rabbitohs 8, Storm 0 after 10 minutes8.09pmTRY: Graham goes over from dummy-half to give Souths an early leadBy It’s a dream start for the Rabbitohs, with Cody Walker almost putting Jack Wighton over on the right edge – then Campbell Graham jumping over from dummy-half to get the game’s first points himself. Markers Sualauvi Faalogo and Tyran Wishart weren’t able to stop the towering winger and it’s 4-0 Souths, with Latrell Siegwalt spraying his conversion attempt wide to the right.Rabbitohs 4, Storm 0 after four minutes8.06pmKick-off – and an early penalty to SouthsBy Hard-working Melbourne prop Josh King leads the Storm out ahead of his 200th NRL game, then the Rabbitohs take the field at Accor Stadium. Melbourne will kick things off, with Ashley Klein the man with the whistle.And we’re off. Cody Walker almost drops the ball from the kick-off before sending rookie big man John Radel charging for the game’s first hit-up. And at the end of the Bunnies’ first set they receive a penalty after Ashton Ward was hit a little late after putting in his clearing kick. Rabbitohs 0, Storm 0 after one minute8.01pmRoosters clinch nail-biting win in Newcastle; Souths to face StormBy The Roosters hold on to win the early game in Newcastle, 23-22, with Dylan Lucas’ season-ending ankle injury the big news from that contest.And two more injury-affected teams are ready to face off at Accor Stadium now, with Souths losing Cameron Murray, Tallis Duncan, and the suspended David Fifita while Will Warbrick joined Cameron Munster on the sidelines for Melbourne. Jahrome Hughes is back at halfback, but Harry Grant is coming off the bench for the Storm tonight.Rabbitohs duo Jack Wighton and Ashton Ward before kick-off tonight.Getty Images7.54pmDCE puts Roosters in front against KnightsBy Ahead of tonight’s 8pm kick-off, there’s three minutes left in the early game, and it’s advantage Roosters as Daly Cherry-Evans slots a field goal to give the visitors a 23-22 lead over the Knights in Newcastle.It’s been a bit of a heartbreaker for the Knights, who are without the injured Kalyn Ponga and lost Dylan Lucas to a season-ending ankle injury in the first half and Dylan Walker to a knee problem in the second half.Six minutes away from kick-off in Rabbitohs v Melbourne now.1 of 2