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Premiers Melbourne Storm take on title challengers South Sydney in the marquee clash of the 2021 season s opening round at AAMI Park.
Both sides have picked up where they left off, cruising to big wins in the abbreviated trial season with the Storm dismissing the Knights 30-10 and last season s preliminary finalists Souths routing the Dragons 48-16.
Melbourne will start the season without both Cameron Smith and Harry Grant but have an able substitute on Brandon Smith while the Rabbitohs look well-placed to send legendary coach Wayne Bennett out on a high.
The Storm will be keen to get off to a winning start as their opening three-match gauntlet of Souths, Parramatta and Penrith is a challenging one.