Stats that Matter: Round 2 v Rabbitohs

All the key numbers from Thursday night’s extra-time win over the Rabbitohs in a Melbourne homecoming.

500

How could you go past this one? On a night full of anticipation and excitement at AAMI Park, Craig Bellamy became just the fourth coach in rugby league history to be at the helm for 500 games. A monumental effort, particularly given his impressive 70% winning record over that duration. The master coach sits in fourth position in the all-time coaching record for most games coached.

321

It had been a long time coming. Not since April 30, 2021 had Storm set foot onto AAMI Park in front of their loyal home faithful. The 321-day wait proved to make the extra-time victory all the sweeter as Ryan Papenhuyzen’s right footed field-goal sailed over the posts.

77

A massive shift for Harry Grant in his first game of the 2022 season, clocking up 77 minutes. The hooker was instrumental in Melbourne’s first half dominance, setting up Cameron Munster’s try as well as kick-starting a wave of attacking raids out of dummy half. The number nine ran for 145 metres and made 42 tackles in a mammoth effort.

18

Storm’s stranglehold over South Sydney in Melbourne continued on Thursday night. The Rabbitohs are yet to win in Melbourne (at either Olympic Park or AAMI Park) bringing Storm’s streak over the Bunnies in Victoria to 18.

1

The decider. At the end of the night it was only Ryan Papenhuyzen’s golden point field goal that could separate the two sides. Following a late rally from the Rabbitohs the one pointer from the Storm fullback thwarted any hopes of a South Sydney spoiling Craig Bellamy’s milestone night.